I need to make up my mind, and I'm at a loss. I want to understand what hot fog from bed bugs is, how effective it is in principle. I tell my mom what the disinfestation specialists told me, but she is against this method. She says we will be poisoned by this fog. She does not believe in modern technology and wants to use Dichlorvos to remove bed bugs the old-fashioned way. Please explain in more detail, in simple words, whether it is possible to use hot fog at home, and whether it is not dangerous to people. Thank you.
The author of the portal answers the question:
In my material below, you will learn about all the features, pros and cons of treating an apartment with hot fog to control bed bugs.
Hot fog treatment - what is it
Special equipment - a generator - is used.
It is so called because of its ability to produce microparticles. The smallest fractions are formed by heating the substance. At the outlet of the nozzle you can get inconspicuous poisonous droplets, they contribute to the formation of a working environment (hot fog), in which quickly die parasites.
The treatment process does not take much time (only a few hours), but the preparation and the period after finishing the procedure require much more effort. This is due to the fact that it is necessary to open access for the penetration of the fog even in the smallest crevices. The substance in the form of a fine particulate matter spreads everywhere, making it difficult to clean surfaces.
When the effects of the poisoning agent wear off, it will be necessary to wash literally the entire apartment.
Comparison of cold and hot fog
These are 2 similar methods of control. The principle of influence on parasites is the same, but in each case different equipment is used. There are a number of differences between the working media and the treatment procedures:
- hot steam stays in the air environment longer - up to 8 hours (cold fog is less effective, the droplets settle in 2-3 hours);
- particle size is different: hot fog consists of micro droplets of 0.5-50 microns, cold fog droplets reach 80 microns;
- The risk of intoxication increases as the heated steam penetrates under a loose-fitting mask/respirator;
- heated steam treatment uses more expensive and difficult to use, large-sized equipment.
Hot fog generator
This is the name of the device consisting of several basic elements: a chamber in which the working solution is poured; a converter with a heating element, where the liquid parameters change (it turns into steam when heated); nozzle, through which the fine particulate matter is released. The heating temperature varies in the range of +50°...+100°С. As a result, the liquid changes to a state of vapor.
However, this temperature is achieved inside the device, in a special chamber. At the outlet (when passing through the nozzle) it decreases by a few tens of degrees, but not enough to reduce the effectiveness of the treatment of the apartment.
How hot fog works on bed bugs
Blood-sucking pests are not exposed to intestinal insecticidesbecause they do not consume anything but the blood of warm-blooded creatures.
To destroy them, those means are used that act through the outer skin (contact and combined action).
As a result, insecticides penetrate the body through the cuticle parasite. Combination products kill bed bugs in different ways: they affect the digestive system and the outer shell.
On contact with the poison, the parasites soon die. The reason is the nerve-paralytic effect of the substance. Death occurs due to the damage of the nervous system: the process of passing nerve impulses is disrupted, the ability to feed, reproduction is lost. Development of insects is also inhibited.
As a result, the parasite dies.
When treating with hot fog for bed bugs, two scenarios are possible:
- Parasites are in the vicinity of the place where the substance is sprayed. When the finely dispersed suspension (microdroplets) are released, they continue to kill insects through the respiratory tract for 8 hours. The insecticide is contained in the air, it is impossible to avoid contact with it. In this case, all individuals who are in the range of the poisonous mist will die, because a large amount of poison will enter the body through the respiratory tract.
- Parasites crawling on different surfaces. As in the first case, they receive a dose of poison. This is due to the fact that the substance in the form of a fine suspension remains on different surfaces. When moving, the venom particles are trapped on the limbs, abdomen, and carapace. And most of the insecticides act according to the "domino" principle, when one infestation can affect others.
In both cases, the poison has a nerve agent effect. However, when treating bed bugs with hot fog, both scenarios are most likely to occur. Thus, the parasites can simultaneously receive the poison through the chitinous membrane and the spiracles. As a result, the effectiveness of the treatment increases.
This is due to the fact that a double dose of insecticide enters the body.
How long do bed bugs live and how long before they die after fogging?
It is impossible to answer these questions accurately. The rate at which pests die depends on a number of factors:
- how long after the treatment the parasites received a dose of poison;
- how much insecticide has been ingested by bed bugs;
- what poisonous substances are used (the degree of aggressiveness of the agent is assessed);
- 1 insecticide or combination of insecticides was used.
Statistically, the following processing results are most often obtained:
- instant death pestsThis is achieved by giving them a high dose of poison, which is possible by treating the nests directly or by directing the nozzle of the fog generator towards the spreading pests;
- death occurs in a few minutes/hours, which means a more extended process of damage to the nervous system, the reason being an insufficiently large dose of the poison;
- parasites die during the next days after the end of treatment, this process can last for 10 days, which is caused by indirect contact with the poison (the "domino" principle works) or by receiving a small dose compatible with life.
However, the risk of survivors should not be forgotten. In some bedbugs develops resistance to a number of substances. And direct contact of insects with it is not necessary.
In this case, individuals capable of reproduction will remain. The dwelling will soon be infested with parasites again.
How to prepare an apartment
A number of manipulations must be performed:
- You should damp-clean your apartment so that most of the bed bugs can be eliminated, because their nests will be found;
- weed parasites should be provided that all furniture is free of things (bed linen, clothes), they should be packed in plastic bags, tape sealed areas of joints;
- The mattress should not be on the bed, it is set vertically near the wall;
- Furniture is moved a little further away from the walls, otherwise there will be an obstacle to the penetration of the poisonous substance;
- there should be no decorations on the wall, they should be removed, turned backside up;
- open the sockets, preliminarily disconnecting the power source at the entrance to the apartment;
- All textiles (plaids, bedspreads, curtains) are removed and treated differently (washed in a machine at high temperature, boiled, ironed with a hot iron, etc.);
- the carpet is rolled up or curled around the edges;
- utensils and personal belongings are also taken out, packed as hermetically as possible, because the fog quickly spreads to adjacent rooms and even partially goes outside the apartment;
- The aquarium or fish in a jar of water is best moved to a neighbor for a few hours.
The harm of hot fog
If you treat a room this way, the risk of intoxication is much higher. This is due to the rapid spread of small droplets through the air. The working medium acquires a gaseous structure, so it is easily inhaled with the air. The dosage of the poisoning agent in the composition of professional agents is high, which increases the level of their aggressive effect.
Individual body reaction is different for everyone: intoxication, allergies, headache, Quincke's edema, etc.
What solution is used to treat for bed bugs
It is acceptable to consider insecticides of different groups (neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, FOS). Different types of substances are mixed to prepare a working solution. As a result, treatment efficiency increases. Also note the possibility of using ovicidal agents. They destroy eggs insects. As a result, the offspring of bed bugs do not survive.
The content of the insecticide in the working solution is always different, which depends on the properties of the poisons used.
Safety measures and rules
When using hot mist for bed bugs, prepare a special respirator with the most effective filter. This allows even the smallest particles to be trapped. It is important that it is as close to the outer skin as possible, then the likelihood of poisoning will be reduced. You should also wear closed clothing, but the hot mist will penetrate even under the folds of the fabric, especially if the material is loose against the body. The best option is a special suit, which is used by exterminators.
It is also important to use gloves (non-woven material), safety glasses, and headgear.
After finishing the procedure, you should take a shower. All items should be washed (provided the properties of the material allow it). If this is not possible, they should be discarded because items covered with an insecticide film cannot be reused. You must use soap or baking soda (creating an alkaline environment), this will help break down the poisonous substances (most of them change their structure and lose their properties under these conditions).
What to do after disinfestation
It is necessary to leave the room. The windows and doors should be closed. When the "preservation" period of the room is over (2-3 hours after the complete deposition of the poisonous substances contained in the air), you can return to the object. However, you have to wait a long time. Thus, the poisonous particles are contained in the air for 8 hours (average). After this time, you have to wait several hours more. Windows should be opened wide, and the room thoroughly aired out.
Then you can do a little cleaning: clean door handles, switches, armrests, shelves. General cleaning is carried out 14-30 days after the end of the poisoning.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of this method include:
- high efficiency;
- fast treatment of the object - the procedure takes 2-3 hours, but you should wait for the suspension to settle;
- ease of spraying: you only need to prepare a working solution, and to deliver it to surfaces and hidden areas using equipment;
- often you don't have to re-spray the poison, the bed bugs die immediately.
The disadvantages of the method are significant:
- high toxicity;
- expensive equipment;
- you need to have experience to perform such procedures.
Where to order and how much it costs to treat an apartment with hot fog
When planning to use hot fog from bedbugs, reviews and price are studied along with the main features of this method. The table shows the cost of the service provided by organizations in different regions:
Consumer feedback on hot fog treatments
Video: destroying parasites with hot fog
Expert tips
- It is better not to treat woven things, they will need to be washed afterwards, so it is better to immediately put everything you need into the machine and set a high-temperature mode;
- it is necessary to learn about the properties of the insecticides used: how long the substances work, when you can do cleaning, and until the expiration of the poisonous components need to ventilate the room more often, because the smell will periodically appear because of the film on the surfaces.
Conclusion
If the hot fog method is used, you should learn about the specifics, which will allow you to get rid of the insects without additional measures:
- When the substance is sprayed, a suspension appears - microscopic drops of an insecticide-based working solution. For this purpose, a hot fog generator is used, which is the name of a special unit for the disinfestation of objects of different types.
- The remedy works on bedbugs through the outer covers and spiracles. The body receives a double dose of poison, which accelerates the death of the insects.
- Работу выполняют в специальном костюме, средствах индивидуальной защиты. Заказать дезинсекцию сегодня можно почти в любом городе, но цены разные: от 2000 и выше, это зависит от целевого назначения объекта и его площади.
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