Bed Bugs on Bed Frame in Atlantic Highlands, NJ

One of the most important steps in treating a bed bug infestation is a thorough vacuuming of the infested furnishings where bed bugs are patiently waiting for their host to sleep or rest. Bed bugs want us to be nice and still while they are looking for a swath of our skin to puncture for their blood meal. Between blood meals, bed bugs like to hide in tight spaces — all the cracks, crevices, and seam holes in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and upholstered furniture like sofas and recliners.

Vacuuming goes a long way reducing the number of bed bugs prior to the liquid application. It is especially effective capturing groups or clusters of visible bed bugs, nymphs, or eggs, and a thorough, systematic vacuuming makes the entire treatment plan more successful.

The bed bug technicians at Cowleys use a commercial-grade portable vacuum with plenty of power to suck up the bed bugs and their eggs. Bed bug eggs are coated with a sticky substance that “glues” them to the surface, making them tough to vacuum. Also, our vacuums have a self-contained and sealed HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter that traps very small particles ensuring that those little pinhead-sized nymphs can’t escape.

Also, bed bugs can easily survive a trip through the vacuum hose, so you have to be careful so that the vacuum cleaner does not become infested. Here are some bed bug vacuuming tips:

• Remove clutter. Bed bugs like to hide, so the more clutter, the more bed bug harborage areas.

• Keep bed-bug free items in plastic bags to reduce the number of areas you have to repeatedly vacuum.