Bedbugs Control In Melbourne

• Are you being bitten in bed?
• Do you have wheals (red bite marks) on your arms, shoulders or back?
• Blood spotting, faecal marks, egg cases on mattress and bed base seams?
• Do you travel regularly, interstate or internationally?
• Have you stayed in motels, backpackers or hotels that may have been infested?

You could have Bed Bugs!

Bed bugs are small crawling insects with a flat oval shape about the size of an apple pip.Their flattened body allows them to squeeze into small cracks and crevices and as a result they are hard to detect and eradicate. They are blood-sucking insects that require blood for nutrition and development.

Call Exopest - the Bed Bug Experts

Exopest is a specialist Company using new technology and a systematic approach to eradicate your bedbug problem - we can arrange an inspection and treatment today - call 1800 686 299 or send us an email now.

More about bed Bugs

Bed bugs feed mostly at night when their host is asleep. Bites cause small, hard, swollen welts on the skin that may become inflamed and itch severely.There are five juvenile stages leading to the adult bed bug. Adults are about 6mm long, reddish-brown in colour with the juveniles (nymphs) a similar shape but lighter in colour and smaller. Eggs are about 1 mm in length, white to cream coloured and under magnification pear-shaped. They are well concealed and not always obvious.

Where do Bed Bugs hide?

Bed bugs prefer to hide in cracks and crevices during the daytime and come out at night to feed on their victim. The blood meal takes three to five minutes and usually goes unnoticed by the victim; as the person is asleep! After feeding, the bite may become inflamed and itch severely in sensitive people. In extreme cases there may be a severe allergic reaction requiring urgent medical treatment.

Typical hiding places are in tufts, folds and seams of the mattresses and base; cracks in timber bed framing and mattress slats and around the bed head. Harbourage is not limited to these areas and in all cases cracks and crevices in other areas need to be inspected. Including: carpet edges, picture frames, curtain folds, electrical fittings, wardrobes and any area into which bed bugs can squeeze.

The cryptic nature of bed bugs and their ability to hide in small inaccessible spaces means that they will be protected from pesticides unless applied thoroughly and correctly. Eggs are not affectedll by pesticides. Both characteristics have significant implications for treatment. However Exopest uses Cryonite (dry ice), that eliminates all life cycle stages without the use of pesticides and room closure. No quarantine period required.

Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

• Blood spotting on bedding, mattress, base, as well as walls and furniture.
• Skin welts and irritation caused by the bites.
• Sweet musty smell (less noticeable except in extreme cases or up close)
• Shed Bed Bug skins and faeces in harborage areas.
• Bed Bug eggs in and around adults and nymphs.

The most commonly affected areas of the body are the arms and shoulders. Reactions to the bites may be delayed; up to 9 days before lesions appear. Common allergic reactions include the development of large wheals, often >1cm, which are accompanied by itching and inflammation.

Bed Bug Management

Control of bed bugs requires the cooperation of the building owner or premises manager, working along side the Exopest pest control technician. If an person suspects a bed bug infestation they should first ensure there is no chance of spreading the problem from room to room. Bed bugs are great hitchhikers, so do not spread the infestation by moving bedding, furniture etc from one room to another. In extreme cases it may be necessary to isolate all equipment and materials that come into contact with the infected room. Even minor infestations from a chance transfer can become a major problem. 

Treatment Program - Bed Bugs

1. Inspection of the premises, room by room
2. Treatment of the affected rooms
3. Follow up inspection of treated areas

Inspection

The essential first step in Bed Bug management is identification of the pest and determination of the extent and level of the infestation. When this is known the Exopest can assess the treatment options and their duration.

After inspection and before treatment, a wash down of surfaces affected with blood spotting not only improves the appearance but also allows a follow up inspection to be done with greater confidence. In extreme cases it may be better to discard the mattress - burning or tipping is recommended, again ensuring that other items do not become infested. Care must be taken when moving affected items, sealing them in plastic bags before they leave the room is recommended. Bed linen should be washed in hot water followed by a hot drier. Sensitive materials can be placed in a freezer allowing enough time for the entire volume of the item to reach the temperature of the freezer.

Treatment- Non Chemical or Chemical ?

Chemical

Treatment involves the direct use of registered pesticide to harbourages such as mattress, base, slats, carpet edges, tack board below carpet , cracks & crevices, wardrobes and cupboards.

Follow Up

The premises would then need to be quarantined for 7-10days until a follow up could declare that infestation dead. Reapplication would be necessary if live bedbugs were found on this visit and a further 7-10days quarantine of those rooms and a final follow up inspection.

Non Chemical - The Latest!!

Cryonite

Exopest uses the latest product Cryonite (dry ice) which literally freeze the insects to death. The advantage is it kills all stages including eggs and adults at the time of treatment. Cryonite is safe and kind to the environment allowing you to occupy that room almost immediately resulting in little inconvenience or loss of revenue in commercial situations. Whilst the bed linen and any likely infested clothing should be bagged and removed for cleaning, the mattress, electrical appliances, computers and sensitive items can be treated directly without damaging them. Dry Ice is like snow, but colder at -30 degrees!!

Follow up

A follow up is still recommended in 7-10days at which time a safe residual treatment if required can be applied as a precautionary measure against future bed bug infestation.

IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY A QUICK INSPECTION AND A ONE OFF CHEMICAL TREATMENT WILL

BE SUCCESSFUL – DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY AND RISK BEING FURTHER DISTRESSED BY ACCEPTING “CHEAP” REMEDIES.

Bed Bug Training for Commercial Premises

Commercial situations require cleaning staff to be trained in correct identification of bedbugs. Rooms can then be isolated to limit the spread of infestation. Exopest can provide Bed Bug training to Commercial customers with our highly qualified staff. Regular inspection of high-risk situations is recommended, particularly in the Hospitality and Accommodation industry. Exopest have a number of customers who have greatly benefitted from our training courses and eradication treatments; therefore ensuring their guests get a good nights sleep

Domestic situations: we suggest if you are traveling frequently then check the mattresse in your Hotel room regularly or invest in a mattress cover, which will help eliminate the most common harbourage sites.

Bed Bug Help Line: 1800 686 299.