How is cold fog treatment for bedbugs carried out?

• By Vil Malinoshevsky
• Destruction of bedbugs

Today, cold fog treatment of a room is one of the most common and effective methods for killing bedbugs. Disinfection specialists carry out pest control using this particular technique, sometimes combining it with hot fog and other techniques.

Practice shows that cold fog provides the optimal combination of cost and efficiency in the treatment of the premises, as well as the time taken and safety for the occupants. Depending on the level of infestation of the apartment and house, using this technique, bedbugs can be removed in just 1-2 hours.

What is cold bug fog?

Home bugs inhabit secluded, hard-to-reach places in an apartment or other room. Treating housing with traditional pest repellents does not always give an effective result. It is difficult to achieve full coverage of bedbug habitats with sprays and spray guns. Some arthropods die, but some individuals hide under wallpaper, cracks, where poison particles do not penetrate.

The method of cold fog is considered more effective - filling the room with the smallest drops of insecticides. To supply the active substance, special devices are used - generators. The temperature of the sprayed cloud is the same as in the apartment, so the technology is called "cold".

The droplet size of the insecticidal fog when the generator is running is 10-80 microns. The air flow created by the device spreads the working solution in a matter of seconds over 3-10 m. The indicators depend on the class of the generator.

In addition to the "cold" method of baiting bed bugs, there is a "hot" technology. The methods differ in the type of generator used. Comparison of methods:

1. Cold fog generator. The design includes a pump forcing a powerful air flow and a chemical solution injection system. The insecticide is supplied to the nozzle from a separate container. Under air pressure, a drop of the drug is broken into a fine aerosol.
2. Hot fog generator. Works on the same principle. The difference is in the additional heating of the liquid. The temperature of the disinfectant reaches 70-80 ° C, the particle size of the suspension is 0.5-5 microns.

Cold and hot fog - what's the difference?

When processing with heated steam, the penetration efficiency of active substances is higher, which means that the effect on bedbugs is enhanced. An additional plus of hot fog is the slow settling of mist. It is advisable to treat with a "hot" cloud at a high concentration of bloodsuckers, or in large rooms. The hot mist generators are used exclusively by trained personnel from specialized firms.

Among the cold steam generators there are models for home use. However, the efficiency of processing depends not only on the device, but also on a number of nuances that non-professionals cannot always take into account.

Sanitary Epidemiological Service

It is better to entrust the destruction of cockroaches in an apartment to a special service. This is facilitated by factors:

• Experts use professional equipment, which can be in the form of powerful generators or steam cleaners, while all equipment is certified, in good order, will not fail during the process;
• Disinsectors know what cockroach infestation is, according to work experience, they quickly determine the accumulation of insects, they are not afraid if there are enough of them, moreover, when working, they use protective suits that prevent the penetration of toxic substances into the human body;
• The substances used, thanks to which the destruction of cockroaches with a cold fog is carried out, are inaccessible to the common man, they are in the laboratories of the epidemiological service, they cannot be bought in a simple hardware store;
• Specialists with the help of professional equipment will be able to spray toxic components in the most inaccessible places that people cannot handle with their own efforts.

The Sanitary Epidemiological Service accepts applications for processing premises in different ways:

• Call the phone number during working hours, available information on the official website, leave a request, agree on the time of work;
• In the form of an e-mail application.

In addition, the epidemiological service accepts anonymous appeals if an accumulation of cockroaches is found in the apartment. In this case, specialists go to the specified address, carry out work, the consent of the apartment owners is not required for this.

How does cold fog work on bedbugs?

After spraying, the cloud with the active substance is kept in the air for up to 1.5 hours. The smallest particles of poison spread throughout the apartment, penetrate into ventilation shafts, cracks in ceilings, etc. The aerosol literally "envelops" the walls and floor with a film.

The toxic composition, getting into the body of insects, leads to their death. The spectrum of action depends on the type of bug repellent used. In one treatment, you can remove not only arthropod bloodsuckers, but also cockroaches, ants and other insects.

The effectiveness of the work done is largely determined by the type of insecticide. Requirements for pesticides:

• Efficiency - bedbugs adapt to adverse conditions, and surviving individuals may no longer respond to the same toxins; when reprocessing, a new agent must be used;
• Safety - it is advisable to check for a certificate of no harmful effects on people;
• Lack of a pungent odor - some "aromas" of pesticides remain in the room for months;
• Spectrum of action - not all poison from bedbugs is effective against bedbug eggs.

It is better to entrust the choice of a remedy to professionals who will help you buy an effective poison. The specialist takes into account the number of pests, the time of their appearance, the type of housing, the previous method of control and other factors.

Hot fog

Hot fog killing bedbugs makes it possible to get rid of pests in one treatment. Repeated manipulation is performed only if the population of the bug is excessively large, as well as in a living room that has all the conditions for the reproduction of blood-sucking insects.

What is hot fog

Hot fog killing of bedbugs is a professional treatment of a room using a hot steam generator. The device is filled with a working solution consisting of several insecticides. It is heated above 50 ° C and sprayed indoors.

Heating occurs in a few milliseconds, after which a gas jet is supplied from the nozzle of the unit under pressure.

During contact with relatively cold air in the room, the gas is cooled and moisture condensation occurs in the form of droplets from 1 to 20 micrometers. They create a dense cloud and are carried far away due to the speed of the gas supplied from the nozzle.

How it works and how to handle

Treatment with hot fog from bedbugs creates a kind of cloud in the treated room, consisting of fine particles of insecticide, which remain in suspension for a long time (3-8 hours). They easily penetrate the most inaccessible crevices and microcracks.

At temperatures above +50 ° C, sexually mature individuals of bugs and their eggs die instantly. As it cools, the insecticide settles on the surface, forming a thin film.Surviving parasites, upon contact with it, receive a dose of a destructive insecticide, which inevitably leads to their death.

All horizontal and vertical surfaces and interior items are covered with a poisonous film. The chances of survival for blood-sucking insects are reduced to zero.

Treatment of an apartment from bedbugs with a hot fog has such advantages:

• processing takes a minimum of time;
• an insecticide heated to high temperatures penetrates deeply into the most hidden places, therefore, it causes the death of both bedbugs and other crawling parasites;
• after processing, there are no strong, persistent odors in the room;
• The hot cloud not only eliminates blood-sucking parasites, but also eliminates mold, fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms.

This pest control method has practically no drawbacks.... Although it is not suitable for some rooms due to high humidity. And also it is impossible to practice it at home on your own and you need to call specialists of insecticidal services.

Preliminary activities: preparation of the premises

When preparing, they pursue two goals:

• Maximally protect the tenants of the apartment;
• Provide fog access to furniture backs, corners and under skirting boards.

The complex of preparatory measures is reduced to the following actions:

1. Remove residents and pets from the premises. The aquarium must be insulated, covered with a tight lid and the compressor must be turned off. It is optimal to temporarily remove the aquarium from the apartment.
2. Hide all products in the refrigerator, pack tightly or take out. Pack and tie all personal hygiene products.
3. Prepare living space: remove bedding, move furniture, remove mattresses, roll up carpets, spread pillows. Open access under the skirting boards. Be sure to take out all toys.
4. Wash bedding, clothes at a high temperature, dry, pack hermetically or take out of the apartment.
5. Close windows, front door and hood tightly.

In apartment buildings, neighbors should be notified of the upcoming pest control. It is desirable that they also temporarily block the ventilation duct.

When the room is prepared, they carry out wet cleaning - the absence of dust will improve the action of pocking out of pesticides. The active ingredients will not be retained by dirt particles.

Houseplants are optional. Cold fog is an excellent prophylaxis against ticks, scale insects and whiteflies.

How to properly prepare a room for processing

Before proceeding with the destruction of bedbugs, cockroaches and other pests in a living room, using hot or cold fog, it is necessary to complete preliminary preparation in accordance with all the rules.

Before starting the pest control procedure, it is imperative to perform several sequential steps:

• securely hide all food items;
• items of utensils, as well as hygiene products to be removed to another room, and if this is impossible for some reason, to provide them with airtight temporary packaging;
• in order for the aerosol agent to act effectively, you first need to perform wet cleaning, which will rid the floors, baseboards, jambs and other elements of the room from dust;
• if there are paintings, framed photographs, carpets, as well as various decor items on the walls, they must be removed;
• move all furniture away from the walls a few centimeters so that it can be reliably covered with materials that do not allow droplets of aerosol chemicals to pass through;
• the room in which the procedure is carried out must be closed.

During the treatment of the room with cold or hot fog, neither people nor pets should be present in it. The person who is going to perform this work must wear closed overalls.In addition, it is important to take care of the protection of eyes, respiratory organs and skin - you will need a special mask and respirator.

Destruction of bedbugs with cold fog

It is better to entrust pest control to specialized firms. You can find out the telephone number of services in the city at the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station. Here you can also ask how much it costs to call the SES. On average, the price of the service is from 900-2500 rubles.

If you have a household generator and understand all the nuances, you can carry out the processing yourself.

A step-by-step description of the technology, how to poison bedbugs:

1. Following the instructions, dilute the pesticide to obtain an effective solution. With the "cold" method, concentrated liquids are used against bedbugs.
2. Fill the generator tank with the mixture, connect the device to the mains.
3. Process the room. Pay attention to: skirting boards, corners, joints between wallpaper. The room should be completely filled with fog - the gaseous insecticide will penetrate the cracks between the cushions and fall under the furniture.
4. Wait until the fog has completely settled. This usually takes 40-90 minutes.
5. Open windows by providing through ventilation. Time of intensive air circulation - at least 60 minutes.
6. Carry out wet cleaning with a soda and soap solution. With a prepared composition, wipe doors, furniture, handles - objects that residents often touch.

Security measures

Ensuring safety is the initial requirement for self-pest control. In the arsenal of professionals there is special equipment: overalls, respirator or gas mask, gloves, etc. Without personal protective equipment, there is a high probability of getting serious poisoning and allergic reactions.

Obligatory ammunition for self-processing:

• A high-quality respirator - the particles of the insecticidal cloud are negligible, an ordinary cotton-gauze bandage will not protect the respiratory tract;
• Plastic glasses;
• Tight closed clothing, footwear;
• Gloves.

At the end of the work, clothes must be washed.

Important! At the slightest discomfort, nausea, you must immediately leave the apartment, wash your hands, face, rinse your mouth and take activated charcoal. If the measures taken did not help, go to the hospital.

Further actions after disinsection

Upon returning to the apartment, it is necessary to perform a partial wet cleaning. Rinse dishes, wipe furniture and appliances. To reduce the bugs' chances of survival, the floors are not washed for another 1.5 weeks, and the walls are wiped with a damp cloth after 3 weeks.

The back walls of furniture, corners and skirting boards also do not wash for a long time. The remedy should stay here longer - insects that have hidden far away will come into contact with poison when they leave. Eggs of females are often hidden in these places.

With a significant population of bedbugs or in old houses with large cracks, re-treatment of the apartment from bedbugs is required - after two weeks. Some firms recommend that double disinfestation is mandatory to achieve a long-term positive effect.

Testimonials

If a cold fog from cockroaches is used, then an amazing effect is observed, as evidenced by the reviews of many apartment owners.

Katya, Moscow After the appearance of arthropods in the apartment, she could not get them out for a long time. Used means that did not bring success. I decided to contact a specialized company, exterminators responded to the request quickly. After 2 days, they arrived, treated with a cold fog, after which the insects no longer appeared in the apartment.

Victoria, Peter As soon as we noticed cockroaches in the apartment, without hesitation, we turned to the epidemiological service. A cold fog was chosen for treatment, the active substance is cyfluthrin. Experts carried out work even in the most inaccessible places, insects disappeared from the house forever.

The appearance of cockroaches in an apartment is an unpleasant problem that must be solved quickly.To achieve results after the first treatment, powerful mist preparations should be used, the particles of which destroy the arthropods instantly.

Pros and cons of the method

Like any pest control technology, cold fog has its own characteristics. Significant benefits include:

1. Efficiency. A toxic cloud covers the room, penetrating into the habitat of bedbugs. The effectiveness of the method has been proven in practice - the population of arthropods dies in a couple of hours.
2. Fast processing. Fog generators fill the entire apartment with fine aerosol in a few minutes.
3. Versatility. The cold method, in contrast to the hot one, is applicable in different rooms. With "thermal" spraying, the humidity and temperature in the room rise sharply - this has a negative effect on objects in the house.
4. A wide range of actions. Not only bedbugs are under attack, but all domestic pests.
5. Safety for items. The cold fog does not leave streaks or stains. However, it is advisable to remove furniture and interior items from the room that are sensitive to high humidity.
6. Availability. Specialist services are paid at loyal rates. It is cheaper to call a specialized service than to purchase a generator and do steam treatment yourself.

Mist disinfection also has disadvantages:

• The need for meticulous preparation of the premises and the "conservation" of things;
• Preservation of a pungent odor for a long time;
• Does not completely kill bed bug eggs - it is advisable to repeat the steam treatment procedure.

With pest control using a fog machine, sensors such as fire alarms can react. Therefore, for the duration of processing, the protection system must be disabled.

Important! The method is ineffective with the appearance of air currents blowing off the aerosol. Mechanical ventilation devices must be switched off. It is better not to use cold fog in ventilated, open areas.