SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- The bed bug epidemic that began in 2010 isn't over. If anything, it's picking up speed. But local exterminators say their methods of getting rid of the bugs are now tried and true.
Hotels, dorms and hospitals are among places constantly working to keep the bugs out. But they're even showing up in places like semi tractors and travel trailers.
"We're doing several jobs a week lately. So it's started increasing rapidly, and in the past year or so, it's continued to increase rapidly," says Ivan Eftink, Bug Zero owner. Eftink says his company did four bed bug jobs this week and has at least that many scheduled for next week.
The owners of a travel trailer infested with bed bugs tried to get rid of the unwelcome campers with store-bought products, but had to turn to Bug Zero to turn up the heat.
"We discovered this heat option, and bed bugs are extremely susceptible to high heat temperatures," Eftink says.
We took healthy bed-bugs inside, with the heat treatment underway. "The air temperature in here's at least 135, and you're going to see that they'll die pretty quick," says Michael Woodring, Bug Zero Entemologist. In just one minute, the bed bugs lost the battle.
Large heaters and fans ensure the heat reaches every square inch. Several wireless sensors send temperature readings back to a computer. But just to make sure the bugs are all toast, "We get in here once the temperature gets up and we start manipulating some of these items to expose any cracks or crevices that they might be able to hide," Woodring says.
