Getting rid of bed bugs can be a frustrating and difficult process. Many people wonder how many treatments or visits from an exterminator it usually takes to completely eliminate an infestation. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer, as the number of visits required can vary widely depending on the size and scope of the infestation.
What Determines How Many Visits Are Needed?
There are several key factors that influence how many visits it takes to get rid of bed bugs:
- Size of the infestation – A small, contained infestation in one room will require fewer visits than a widespread infestation affecting multiple rooms.
- Type of treatment used – Certain treatment methods are more effective than others, requiring fewer applications.
- Extent of preparation – Proper preparation of the infested area(s) prior to treatment allows insecticides to work more effectively.
- Cooperation level – Following all preparation and post-treatment recommendations from the exterminator facilitates success.
- Reinfestation – New bed bugs entering the home from travel, used furniture, etc. can lengthen the process.
- Difficult to treat areas – Heavily cluttered areas or spaces difficult to access allow bed bugs to hide and avoid treatment.
With the involvement of so many factors, there is no universal standard for how many visits it takes to eliminate bed bugs. However, by looking at some general guidelines and averages, you can get a better idea of realistic expectations.
General Guidelines Based on Infestation Size
As a very rough estimate, the number of visits needed may follow these general guidelines:
- Minimal infestation (contained to one room or area): 1-2 visits
- Moderate infestation (2-3 rooms affected): 2-4 visits
- Severe infestation (widespread throughout home): 3-6+ visits
Again, these are broad generalizations and each case will differ based on the variables discussed earlier. A light infestation in an easily treated area may only need one visit, while a heavy infestation spanning multiple rooms with access issues may require 6 or more visits over several months.
Averages From Pest Control Companies
Looking at data and averages provided by professional pest control companies can also give insights into typical visit requirements:
- Orkin Pest Control reports needing 2-3 treatments on average.
- Terminix states most cases require 2-4 visits total.
- Ehrlich Pest Control estimates 3 treatments is common.
- Bulwark Exterminating cites 3-6 treatments on average.
Synthesizing data from leading national pest control firms, it appears the average range is 2-4 visits for most bed bug infestations. Very minor cases may only need 1, while the most challenging infestations can require 6 or more over an extended period.
Examples of Real-Life Cases
Looking at some real-life examples of how many visits it took individual homeowners to get rid of bed bugs adds more perspective:
| Homeowner | Infestation Size | Number of Visits |
|---|---|---|
| Sara | 1 room apartment | 2 visits |
| Michael | 2 bedrooms | 3 visits |
| Alice | Entire house | 5 visits |
| Bob | Contained to sofa | 1 visit |
These real-life cases demonstrate the principles discussed earlier. The extent of the infestation and areas affected clearly impacted the number of visits needed. Difficult variables and unique circumstances in each home result in some variation.
Best Practices to Minimize Visits
While the number of visits is dependent on many factors, homeowners can take proactive steps to try to minimize repeat visits:
- Inspect and identify all infested areas to focus treatment.
- Reduce clutter to eliminate bed bug hiding spots.
- Seal cracks and crevices to deter spread.
- Apply treatment preparations as directed.
- Follow all post-treatment recommendations carefully.
- Capture and isolate any stray bugs spotted between visits.
- Limit spread by containing infested items.
Being vigilant and thorough in following pest control advice can help reduce the extent of the infestation and the likelihood of needing repeated visits. However, even with perfect homeowner cooperation, it may still take multiple visits to fully rid a home of bed bugs.
Professional Heat Treatments
Utilizing professional heat treatments is another option that can minimize repeat visits. Heat treatment involves heating infested areas to lethal temperatures to instantly kill bed bugs and eggs. When applied correctly, heat can eliminate bed bugs in just one visit.
The downside is heat treatments are more expensive than traditional chemical treatments. The upside is potentially getting rid of bed bugs in one appointment rather than multiple visits over months.
Canine Inspections
Bringing in trained dogs to inspect for bed bugs is another tactic that can improve success rates and minimize repeat visits. Their exceptional scenting ability allows dogs to pinpoint bed bugs that may be missed visually. Any bugs found can then be eliminated with targeted treatment.
When to Stop Treatment
At what point should you stop scheduling repeat visits if bed bugs persist? As a general guideline, if live bugs or new evidence of infestation are still appearing after 4-5 thorough treatments by a professional exterminator, it may be time to reevaluate.
Some options at this point:
- Switch to a different pest control company or treatment method.
- Have a bed bug sniffing dog conduct an inspection.
- Consider heat treatments to give an instant kill.
- Identify and correct any cooperation issues on your end.
- Remove heavily infested items and furniture.
Getting a second opinion from another reputable exterminator can also be wise if visits are becoming excessive without success. They may identify factors contributing to the ongoing issue and have additional recommendations to eliminate the infestation.
Conclusion
So how many visits does it take to get rid of bed bugs? Unfortunately, there is no magic number or one-size-fits-all answer. The variables of each unique infestation make it impossible to definitively predict. Based on pest control industry averages, most cases require 2-4 visits on the low end, but severe infestations can necessitate 6 or more.
While frustrating, the need for multiple visits over time is normal when dealing with challenging bed bug infestations. By following all recommendations diligently, utilizing proactive measures like inspections and heat treatments, the number of visits can potentially be reduced. With persistence and patience, the bugs can eventually be eliminated, even in difficult cases that require many repeat visits.