The process is called Thermal Remediation, which uses intense heat to kills the blood-sucking bugs in one treatment.
Process Preserves Homeowners' Belongings
So far, it seems to have worked for Allison South of Long Island in New York.
South's nightmare began about three weeks ago - it's left her
frustrated, stressed and embarrassed. South has no idea where she picked
up her unwanted guests.
"It's come to the point where I feel like something is itching, I just
go crazy at this point because I think it's a bedbug. I'm waking up
every night with bites the size of a dime coming on the way down my
arm," South told "Good Morning America."
South's problem quickly spread to every room in her house.
"The more we sprayed – we went through four cans – and they were still crawling, coming out more on the mattress," she said.
So when South and her father heard there was a chemical-free treatment
available, they called A & C Pest Management immediately.
"We found out that we don't even have to move our clothes. They can take
care of the books, just leave everything in the house," South said.
"GMA" followed A & C Pest Management into South's home, which was literally transformed into a giant oven for 8 hours.
"We got our temperature up to 134 degrees," Jim Skinner, a bed bug
expert with A & C, said. "Now what we'll do is we'll take our fans
and you'll notice … what we're going to do is force that hot air into
the cushions and into the couches."
Thermal heaters were placed in every room of the house, and the high
temperatures killed the bedbugs in one shot, the heat gradually drying
out their bodies until they were dead. Bedbugs Turning Up at Movie Theaters, Retail Stores
During this process, pets must be removed from any premises, as well as
oil paintings, along with anything that's made of plastic or which is
likely to melt.
The treatment appears to be highly effective, but it's not cheap.
Thermal Remediation will run anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000, while chemical processes can run anywhere from $1,300 to $5,000.
This treatment is among several avenues being explored by the pest
control industry to battle the resurgence of hardy critters, which many
theorize is due in part to the ease and frequency of international
travel.
Once a common household pest, bedbugs were virtually eradicated by the
1950s through the widespread use of DDT. The federal government banned
the use of DDT in 1972. The chemical had led to the near-extinction of
certain bird species and had proved to be toxic to other wildlife.
The insecticides currently being used to kill the bugs can take up to
three treatments to be effective, and the process involves packing,
bagging and sterilizing everything in the home, as well as tossing out
infested clothing and mattresses.
Complicating matters even more, bedbugs are developing a resistance to
some of the chemicals being used to treat infestations, research has
shown.
In the meantime, bedbugs are becoming a problem for people from all walks of life.
They've even made an appearance at popular retail chain stores – including Victoria's Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister in New York City.
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