A few decades ago, bed bugs were thought of as a pest problem you didn’t have to worry about in the US. But since the 1980s, these nasty little critters have returned with a vengeance.

And here’s the really bad news if you live in Cincinnati.

According to 2018 data on bed bug outbreaks, Ohio is the worst affected state in the US for bed bugs, and Cincinnati has the fifth highest bed bug prevalence across the whole US. The city is dealing with an epidemic of this blood-sucking parasite.

Which brings us to the big question! If you’re in Cincinnati and you’re worried bed bugs have infested your furniture, what can you do about it?

Self Treatment or Throw Your Furniture Away?

Let’s immediately deal with the first question were usually asked: Should you simply throw your furniture away? 

Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t necessary. Bed bugs can be eradicated from furniture with the right kinds of treatment.

However, if you do want to get rid of some of your infested furniture, Cincinnati has a bed bug furniture pick-up hotline that can give you advice on how to dispose of your furniture safely and responsibly.

Another option you can consider is self treatment.

Now, you should be aware that getting rid of bed bugs on your own is not a quick and simple “spray-it-and-forget-it” solution — but it’s effective if performed thoroughly.

First, you’ll need to perform a careful examination of each item of furniture, using a magnifying glass, flashlight and thin card to identify the telltale signs of bed bug infestation (usually black spots, blood smears, rice-grain sized eggs, or discarded skins). After thorough vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum, you’ll need to carefully steam every inch of your infested furniture, following up with chemical treatment and bed bug barriers to prevent further infestation.

The easiest and most cost-effective solution is to have a professional provide a full heat treatment bed bug eradication service. 

Heat treatment is ideal for getting rid of bed bugs, because it hits these resilient creatures where they’re most vulnerable. Bed bugs will die instantly when exposed to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

A pest control specialist will place specialized heaters throughout your home, using fan convection to push heat into every corner of an affected room. It’s lethally effective because heat treatment doesn’t rely on direct application (which first requires finding every one of these incredibly sneaky critters). Once a treated room is hot enough, the bed bugs simply can’t survive — regardless of where they’re hiding.

Heat treatment still requires careful preparation, but it doesn’t entail the complete disassembly and careful inspection of every piece of furniture. It probably goes without saying that this makes the treatment process substantially easier!

Where There’s Smoke There is Fire

Heat treatment for bed bugs has a lot going for it. We recommend it as the easiest and most cost-effective option for most people who come to us with a bed bug problem.

Unlike eradication with pesticides, heat treatment can be performed in one visit. You also gain the additional benefit of not having residual chemicals in your home, a big plus for home-owners with pets, or family members with chemical sensitivity. For more information on this read our heat treatment vs chemical treatment for bed bugs article.

Heat treatment is also fast and discreet. The whole process can be completed in as little as a few hours, and all that will be visible from your street is an unmarked truck and a generator.

If you’re concerned you may have bed bugs in your home, you needn’t stress about it. We can bring you and your family instant relief. Here’s a full description of our Cincinnati bed bug exterminator services.