FREEZE Bedbugs

A major upsurge in the number of bed bugs is taking place all over the world, mainly as a result of increased travel.

Bed bugs are not a problem of hygiene, but of a lack of awareness about the problem, and can be found everywhere you go.
So after a trip, there’s a higher risk of bed bugs being introduced into your own home.

Today, it’s not uncommon for entire buildings to be infested, because unfortunately many people underestimate the problem.
Bed bug infestations can be identified by bites, black droppings, traces of blood on the sheets and a sweet smell.
Since bed bugs don’t like light and feed mainly on blood at night, you’ll rarely see them wandering around in broad daylight, unless the infestation is extensive. That’s why it’s so hard to spot a bed bug invasion, and usually by the time you do, the problem is already significant.

Popular hiding places are dark places such as bed bases and slats, mattress seams, cracks in wood, skirting boards, sockets, picture frames.

Bed bugs are attracted not only by the carbon dioxide in human breath, but also by human odours and the clothes they wear.

Bed bug bites trigger a skin reaction within three days, with rashes and itching.
Everyone reacts differently, and some people may not develop spots at all.

Bed bugs suck blood and can theoretically transmit blood-borne diseases (hepatitis, HIV, etc.). However, no study on the subject has been able to prove this. Consequently, the risk of disease transmission from a bed bug bite is considered extremely low.
However, once a bed bug has crossed the threshold of our door, an infestation can easily occur, and will generally not be visible until several months later (the time needed for the first bed bug to lay its eggs, for the eggs to hatch and then move onto the larva and adult stage, and for the adults to go on and lay their own eggs…).

That’s why it’s essential to take every possible precaution to avoid bringing bed bugs into your home, and to take matters into your own hands at the first sign of infestation, or between two rentals.

The fight against bed bugs is laborious and often leads to psychological distress for the infested people.

It’s much easier to get rid of them if the infestation is caught early. It’s even better to protect yourself from bed bugs, so you don’t bring them home and start an infestation.
The French Ministry of Solidarity and Health advises you to consult a pest control specialist if the treatment fails. The aim of a treatment is to eliminate all bed bugs and their eggs so that the population cannot survive. It’s important to understand that if just one adult bed bug, larva or egg remains, the proliferation can start all over again.
That’s why it often takes several weeks of repeated measurements to overcome the problem.

You’ll then need to check your home regularly to prevent further infestation.

SERENI-D products combined with mechanical methods will be your best option for preventing these pests from returning to your home, and in treating your home or rented rooms in the event of infestation.

Combined with Sereni-d® sprays, mechanical control measures must be put in place to kill bed bugs and their eggs, and ensure long-lasting effectiveness:

• Wash and dry infested textiles at 60°C minimum to kill bed bugs at every stage of their development, especially eggs and larvae, which are barely visible to the naked eye;
• Non-washable infested textiles and objects should be packed in airtight bags and frozen for at least 2 days;
• Regularly vacuum all nooks, crannies and potential hiding places… The vacuum container should be emptied into a tightly sealed plastic bag;
• Cleaning with a brush to remove eggs;
• Removing clutter and stacked objects;
• If possible, steam the bedding and potential bed bug hiding places to destroy eggs;
• Removal of sofas in case of heavy infestation.

Find out more about mechanical control tips, here.

Bed bugs can be found in all dark places in the home, such as furniture, mattresses, bed bases, suitcases, bags, textiles, picture frames, cracks, skirting boards, light switches, sockets, etc.

Yes, it’s a real pain!

Bed bugs like to live close to human sleeping areas, as they feed on blood after dark. But once they’ve laid their eggs in one place and founded a colony, they’ll then go and lay eggs elsewhere to found other colonies… That’s their development principle! This means that many bedrooms can be infested, as well as places where people stay for several hours, such as sofas.

Correct diagnosis generally requires intensive research and, if necessary, the advice of a pest control specialist. That said, there are the following clear signs and indicators:

• Wandering bed bugs that move freely on the bed or wall. Unfortunately, this usually only happens when the infestation is already significant and some bed bugs dare to venture out in broad daylight in search of a meal. As bed bugs prefer to move around at night, you can also turn on the lights in the middle of the night to detect their presence and an infestation as early as possible…;
• Bed bugs or their signs (black stains of excrement residue, brownish shells (shed skin), milky white eggs) in the typical hiding places such as bed bases, mattress seams, skirting boards, behind picture frames, light switches, wallpaper, etc.;
• Tiny bloodstains on clothing/bedding left by bed bugs after biting;
• Grouped or aligned spots.

ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, recommends non-chemical, i.e. mechanical (freezing and steaming), methods for getting rid of pests.

ANSES points out that the use of biocides can cause poisoning, pollute the environment and make bed bugs resistant. Indeed, any active substance, whether used in a biocide (repellent or insecticide) or a drug, eventually develops resistance with insects or bacteria. This is why the regulations are so strict, and why ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency, monitors all products placed on the market, and gradually approves new active substances.

For the development of its products, Sereni-d® has selected the most plant-based active ingredients on the market, i.e. Pyrethrum Flower and Geraniol. However, like all biocidal products, they must be used with care, and it is essential to read the label and instructions carefully before use.