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Myths and false solutions
Foggers, oils, cold, diatomaceous earth: what works and what makes things worse.
The internet is full of miracle solutions. Most waste precious time, and some make things worse. Here is where things actually stand.
| What people say | What is actually true |
|---|---|
| "A fogger solves the problem." | It kills a few exposed individuals and drives the rest into the walls, neighbouring rooms and sometimes neighbouring units. It is the number one cause of infestations that become hard to treat. |
| "You have to throw out the mattress." | Almost never necessary. See do I have to throw out my mattress. |
| "It is a cleanliness problem." | No. Bed bugs feed on blood. A spotless home can be infested. |
| "Essential oils get rid of them." | They may mask an odour or briefly repel a few individuals, but they eliminate neither hidden adults nor eggs. |
| "Just put the furniture outside in winter." | The cold must be intense and sustained, and reach the core of the object. A few hours on a balcony does not do it. |
| "Diatomaceous earth does the job." | Used badly, it is ineffective, messy and irritating to the airways. It is not a standalone solution. |
| "They jump and they fly." | Neither. They walk — and they are carried inside objects. |
| "They transmit diseases." | Public health authorities do not attribute disease transmission to them. The real impacts are on skin and sleep. |
| "Sleeping elsewhere makes them leave." | The opposite: they follow their food source. You risk infesting a second room. |
| "One treatment is always enough." | It depends on the level of infestation. The follow-up visit is part of the method, not a commercial add-on. |
If you remember one thing: do not spray anything before having the place inspected. A home already treated with over-the-counter products takes longer and costs more to settle.
What actually works
- A serious inspection that locates the harbourages and the real extent.
- A professional intervention applied in the right places, including the ones you cannot see.
- Dryer heat for bedding and clothing.
- Certified encasements, kept in place for at least a year.
- A follow-up visit to confirm the result and correct if needed.
Not sure? Let's talk today.
Tell us what you have seen: we will tell you honestly whether it is bed bugs and what the best course of action is.