To get rid of bed bugs, insecticides are very often recommended … incorrectly, because the use of these products is not without health risks. Explanations.
Being invaded by bed bugs remains a nightmare for many people because once the home is infested, it is difficult to get rid of them. To overcome them, those who are victims often turn to insecticides … mistakenly, because the use of these chemicals is not without risk. In total, more than 1,000 cases of poisoning, some serious, were recorded between 2007 and 2021.
As ANSES reminds us on its website, it is recommended to first prefer non-chemical means to eradicate bed bugs. First, it is advisable to vacuum all surfaces carefully to catch eggs and parasites, then clean the vacuum cleaner channel, wrap the bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it in an outside bin to avoid contaminating other places.
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Wash clothes at more than 55°C
Once this step is completed, it is important to machine wash clothes and bedding at more than 55°C or put them in the freezer at -17°C for at least 72 hours if there is no washing machine. Finally, hooks or upholstery should be cleaned with a dry steamer at a high temperature (at least 120°C), which destroys all stages of bed bugs. If this fails, it is recommended that you contact a pest control professional rather than applying the insecticide products yourself.
As a reminder, these small insects, which most often hide in mattresses and box springs, feed on blood and bite during the night. They are carried in clothes and luggage when they travel or buy used bedding, furniture, books and clothes. They are particularly tenacious because their life expectancy can exceed a year without food. A female lays 5 to 15 eggs per day, resulting in very rapid dispersal.
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