PHYSICAL CONTROL OF BED BUGS

Physical control is the use of hands-on methods to physically remove bedbugs from, or keep bed bugs out of the home.  These include methods like vacuuming or steam-treating an area to collect or destroy bedbugs, eggs, shells, or nymphs that are in a target area or location. When using this method it is important to remember that bed bugs eggs are made to stick to crevices where they cannot be easily reached and you will likely not get rid of them all with vacuuming alone.  Washing and drying linens such as clothing, bedding, or other infested items are also forms of physical control. When laundering items, be sure to isolate infested items during transport. Protect clean items through isolation from infested items or an an infested area. Another good example of physical control is the use of silicon-based sealant which is applied to any of the cracks, crevices, holes to eliminate harborage or entry points for bed bugs.