Over many centuries, humanity has invented many ways to combat bedbugs: freezing, exposure to hot air and water, repellers and traps.
With the development of the chemical industry, various insecticides are increasingly used. Methods for using pesticides are also being improved.
- 5.1 What solution is used to treat bedbugs?
What is hot fog?
Hot fog is a modern way of treating a room from insects using special equipment. The generator heats up pesticides and sprays them throughout the apartment in a vapor state. As a result of condensation, insecticides fall to the surface of the floor and furniture in the form of small droplets. The settling process occurs slowly due to the small weight of the particles.
Equipment test
What is the difference between hot fog and cold fog?
Cold and hot fog use the same principle of treating a room from bedbugs - spraying a poisonous cloud under pressure using a generator. The difference is:
- The temperature of the sprayed chemicals. Cold fog is at room temperature. Using professional equipment for hot steam allows you to heat the mixture up to +900C.
- In the settling rate of insecticide particles. When using hot fog, their concentration in the air remains for up to 8 hours. When cold spraying, only 1-2 hours.
- In the particle size of pesticides. A cloud of hot steam contains droplets several times smaller than those of cold steam, which allows them to penetrate into the smallest cracks.
Destroying bedbugs with a hot fog is more effective, although it takes longer than disinsection with a cold one.
Where can hot fog be used?
You can treat any room where these parasites have infested with hot fog against bedbugs. As a rule, it is used when the contamination of an object is quite high, which is associated with the high cost of this service. We must not forget about preparing the apartment for such an event, as well as subsequent cleaning of the premises.
The greatest demand for disinfestation carried out using this method is in hostels, hotels, or when treating several apartments in one building at once.
Hot fog generator
The hot fog device operates on the principle of aerosol generators. The insecticide solution is injected into a stream of moving gas and turns into vapor under high pressure and temperature. A cloud with fine particles of the pesticide forms in the air.
Attention! A hot fog generator for treating a room against bedbugs is classified as professional equipment and requires special skills when handling it.
Comparison of cold and hot fog
Below we will introduce you to the differences in the operating principles of cold and hot fog generators, so that you can make an informed choice if you decide to use this method of pest control.
Benefits of cold fog
Drink less fluid. As the name suggests, ultra-small generators use small amounts of fogging liquid, which reduces costs as the fogging solution is atomized under air pressure into very small particles.
This leads to the following benefits:
- Cheaper to use, since there is no need to purchase additional holders that need to be replenished or replaced, depending on the frequency of use of the insecticidal equipment.
- Cold mists are more environmentally friendly and do not create greasy residue that is difficult to clean.
- In most cases, cold mists have virtually no odor and are much more pleasant to use, especially indoors.
Can be used with water and oil based solutions. Most cold fog generators allow the use of both water-based and oil-based solutions. Water-based compositions are much more environmentally friendly and non-flammable.
- No road risks. Cold fog creates an almost invisible cloud of fog, so there is no danger to traffic and can be used in cities and other crowded places.
- Easier to work. The generator is easier to operate than its thermal counterparts, especially when compared with professional equipment. Liquid poison can simply be poured into a tank, the fogger connected to electricity and left on, while hot fog generators require a number of additional manipulations, including heating the assembly for a certain time and releasing the fog manually by pulling the trigger.
- They don't make any noise. As a rule, they operate quieter than thermal ones, which is important in city conditions.
Disadvantages of Cold Fog
- Almost invisible fog. Fog is practically invisible, so it is much more difficult to control its direction outdoors. Even with a slight breeze, the mist will move away from the desired area you want to treat. In addition, people will not see the cloud of fog, so they will not be able to avoid it and may inhale toxic substances.
- Difficult maintenance and repair. A generator may be easier to use, but it is difficult to maintain and repair because it consists of an electric motor, air pressure pumps, and complex injectors. Such equipment should only be repaired by a specialist.
- Larger droplet size. Cold foggers produce larger particles than thermal foggers (1050 microns in diameter). Although they can be adjusted for different applications, they cannot produce as fine, high-density particles as their thermal counterpart. Indoors and outdoors, this means that fog cannot penetrate into the smallest and most difficult to reach areas.
- Higher purchase cost. Cold fog machines for personal use typically cost twice as much.
- Need more time for fog. It takes comparatively longer time for fog to form.
How does hot fog affect bedbugs?
When using this equipment, insects are exposed to double exposure: high temperature and pesticides. Parasites do not survive from heated steam, which helps to destroy bedbugs in places that are difficult to reach with other disinfestation methods.
As the cloud cools, the insecticide comes into effect, small particles of which, settling, fall into crevices where insects can hide. The suspension stays in the air for up to 8 hours, which allows it to have a long-term effect on parasites. Having settled on the surface, the poison continues to affect individuals that come into contact with it.
Pros and cons of the method
The main advantages of hot fog treatment:
- The main advantage is the high temperature . Professional equipment heats the liquid up to 90°C. Most of the parasites die at the beginning of treatment directly from the temperature. The survivors will soon die from the poison.
- The mist remains in the air for a long time, then the product acts by settling on the surface. This significantly increases the duration of action of the drug, increasing the likelihood of destroying the entire colony. Some individuals will not be able to wait out the cataclysm in a secluded place.
Flaws:
- This etching method cannot be applied independently due to the need for special equipment. It is too wasteful to purchase a device for one-time use; it is cheaper to call professionals.
- The processing itself takes a little time, but you won’t be able to return home soon. Steam hangs in the air for about 5 hours, then another 3-4 hours are needed for the insecticide to work on surfaces. The complete treatment of the room will take at least one day.
- You can only work in a special protective suit, otherwise there is a high probability of being poisoned by the substance and getting burned by the steam. A simple work uniform and gauze bandage will not work here.
- The apartment must be thoroughly cleaned before it can be lived in. This is especially important if allergy sufferers, small children and pets live in the apartment; they are the ones at high risk.
The high efficiency of the method outweighs all the disadvantages.
How to prepare the room?
Preparing your home for steam disinfestation is the key to reliable removal of bedbugs.
Treatment
To do this you need:
- Place all products in sealed packaging.
- Place the dishes in boxes and wrap them with cling film.
- Remove all household members, animals and plants from the premises for a day.
- Place all clothing in heat-proof packaging after checking for insects.
- Carpets and textiles that are sensitive to chemicals can be taken out to the balcony or carefully packed.
- Clean the premises. Particular attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places where dust collects. It will absorb droplets of insecticides and prevent them from getting on the parasites.
- Move the furniture to the center of the room, remove the mattress from the bed and place it on its side at an angle to the wall.
- Empty all drawers, especially in furniture near the bed.
- Wash bedding and items on which traces of insects are found at high water temperatures.
Security measures
Treating a room with hot steam against bedbugs using a generator involves the use of insecticides that are harmful to humans and pets. Therefore, strict adherence to safety measures is necessary.
- While treating a room with hot fog, you should not eat, drink water, or smoke.
- It is necessary to use clothing that will completely hide the skin. Pants, long sleeves, closed shoes, gloves. The headdress must cover the hair and neck. It is best to use protective clothing designed for such purposes.
- Protective glasses should be worn over the eyes to ensure that the cloud of toxic chemicals does not have access to the eyes. The nose and mouth are covered with a respirator, which cannot be replaced with a medical mask, as it allows air to pass through and there is a risk of insecticide poisoning.
- If the noise level of the hot fog generator is high, it is recommended to use headphones.
At the first signs of poisoning, you must leave the room being treated; if dizziness and nausea do not go away within a short time, then you need to contact a medical facility.
If the mist gets on your skin, immediately wash the affected areas with running water and soap or a baking soda solution.
Clothing used for disinfestation should be washed at high temperature after completion of work. If this is not possible, then you will have to throw everything away. Wash shoes with soap and water. Lye destroys most insecticides.
Treating a room against bedbugs with hot fog
Before treating an apartment with hot fog, it is necessary to select a pesticide with which to spray the home. It is necessary to take into account whether disinfestation was carried out in this room previously, and what insecticide was used. Insects can develop immunity to the drug.
Corpses
What solution is used to treat bedbugs?
The choice of preparations for hot fog treatment against bedbugs is quite wide. They are divided into:
- contact;
- intestinal;
- contact-intestinal.
Use liquid products or soluble powders. To increase efficiency, a solution is prepared from a mixture of different types of substances. When treating an apartment with hot steam against bedbugs with the help of hired specialists, it is better to leave the decision on choosing a product up to them. When purchasing on your own, preference should be given to the latest products to which the parasites have not yet developed immunity.
How long does it take for bedbugs to die after treatment?
The effectiveness of killing bedbugs with hot fog depends on several factors. Death may occur:
- Instantly. When an individual gets exposed to a large dose of insecticide. This is achieved by directing the generator nozzle directly into the socket.
- Within 6–8 hours. A suspension of a toxic substance settles on the parasites and causes damage to the nervous system.
- For 10 days. The dose of the chemical was too small to quickly kill the insect.
In case of severe infection, the possibility of survival of several individuals cannot be ruled out, for which a low dose of insecticide serves as a kind of vaccination against the active poison. A specialized organization usually gives a guarantee for its work and, if the bedbugs survive, will carry out re-treatment. This will require another drug.
How much does it cost to treat an apartment with hot fog?
Killing bedbugs with hot fog is the most expensive method. In the capital, processing a one-room apartment will cost 4,000 rubles. Most specialized companies provide a 2-3 year warranty and provide barrier protection as a gift. Preparatory work and cleaning after baiting are not included in the price. Some companies offer cleaning services for an additional fee.
Hot fog treatment
In the regions, treating apartments for bedbugs does not differ significantly from capital prices. The cost of disinfection is determined by demand and competition between sanitary services.
However, despite the fact that exterminating bedbugs with fog requires significant financial expenditure, the method has a number of undeniable advantages:
- short processing time;
- rapid destruction of all parasites, which is ensured by hot heated insecticide and its high penetration;
- absence of strong lingering odors;
- hot fog allows you to get rid of mold, fungi, and microorganisms at the same time.
One of the disadvantages is the impossibility of carrying out processing independently, since in order to use the equipment, certain skills are required, and the cost of the generator itself amounts to tens and even hundreds of thousands of rubles.
On a note!
The use of hot fog is advisable only in apartments and houses with a high degree of contamination. If the population is small, exterminators recommend a less expensive method - cold fog for bedbugs.
Review
With the advent of bedbugs, my life came down to regular trips to household chemical stores and subsequent testing of purchased purchases. I used to hang out on culinary sites, but now I have become a regular on forums about exterminating household pests. What I haven’t tried: dry, fresh herbs, and all sorts of liquid substances from vinegar, turpentine, other folk remedies, gels and emulsions. It was all in vain - my bedbugs turned out to be extremely tenacious and had no intention of dying. I also tried to treat the apartment with Dichlorvos aerosol - the smell was terrible, it was impossible to get rid of it, but at least there was nothing for these parasites. After reading reviews about hot fog treatment for bedbugs, I decided to turn to professionals for help. It was a pity for the money, but it was also unbearable to live with bloodsuckers. The exterminators asked me in detail what I had to use to poison the bedbugs and agreed on a date for treatment. At the appointed time, the brigade arrived; one guy had a very impressive machine in his hands, resembling a cannon. I didn’t want to leave strangers in the apartment alone, so I expressed a desire to be present during the treatment, and I was also curious to look at this hot fog. Literally a few minutes later the entire room was filled with such thick smoke that objects at the opposite end could not be seen. After 50 minutes, the procedure was over and I was advised to walk for about 10 hours. To be on the safe side, I spent the night with a friend. The next day, I swept away the bedbug corpses with a broom and washed only the most necessary surfaces. It was not in vain that the hot fog was praised; now I don’t have a single insect in my house, but I still remember bedbug bites with a shudder.
Marina, Perm
What to do after disinfestation?
After treating your apartment for bedbugs with hot fog, you must keep it closed for a sufficient amount of time. After this, ventilate the room by creating a draft for 1–2 hours in winter, 3–4 in summer.
Next, you need to remove the remains of insects with a vacuum cleaner or sweep. Treat with soap and soda solution those items that household items most often come into contact with.
Attention! General cleaning should be postponed for 7-10 days so that insects that do not die immediately get enough poison to settle on all surfaces.
If there is a need to wash the floor, it is better to do it in those places where household members visit most often. It is not recommended to touch baseboards and corners, especially near beds.
Advantages and disadvantages of the product
No method for killing bedbugs is ideal, including hot fog. Its positive qualities include:
- The ability to kill bedbugs even in hard-to-reach places by directing steam with poison through the generator nozzle.
- If all the rules for disinfestation are followed, re-treatment is not required, since not only adults die, but also larvae and eggs.
- Possibility of treating large rooms with anti-bedbug agent.
- Furniture safety. The fog does not leave visible marks on the surface of objects.
- Along with bedbugs, other insects and mold are also destroyed.
The disadvantages include the high cost of the service compared to other methods, the toxicity of the cloud until it settles on the surface, and the need to resort to the help of specialists. The high price of equipment and the risks when using it by non-professionals make such processing on your own almost impossible.
Cold fog from bedbugs
Cold fog Lately, clients have been asking to treat bedbugs with cold fog (cold smoke, steam), this popularity of the method is due to the presence of good reviews and good effectiveness of this method of killing insects.
The effectiveness of treatment increases several times compared to treatment with a pump sprayer or treatment with dusts, due to the size of the sprayed particles of the drug. In this article we will try to understand the intricacies of treating bedbugs with cold fog.
