Bed bugs expertly controlled and removed in Freehold
Challenge
Two of our bed bug specialists were dispatched to a Freehold residence for an urgent bedbug treatment. Upon arrival, we spoke with the customer to get as much information as possible to help us with our inspection — how long he thought he had bed bugs, if he or his family had unexplained bites, if he found any signs of bed bugs in the home like brown specks on the mattress or bedbug casings.
Once we were given all of the feedback & details, it was time to start inspecting. To me, the inspection and subsequent re-inspections are critical for ensuring a successful resolution of a bedbug infestation. It is the only way to determine with certainty whether bedbug activity in the home is found and that no bedbugs are remaining treatment. We split up to do a careful, thorough inspection throughout the home, leaving no stone unturned. During the inspection, we remove any pests as we find them. One focused on the living room couches, which were one of the worst areas of infestation. While inspecting, he thoroughly vacuumed along every crack and crevice with a high-powered HEPA vacuum that sucks up everything in its path. The other technician concentrated on the bedroom following the same Cowleys protocols, inspecting every square inch of the mattress and surrounding areas, vacuuming as well. One reason that bedbugs are such a challenging infestation is their stealth nature. When not feeding on our blood, these parasites look for the smallest places to hide and avoid detection. And they can squeeze into the smallest areas — even finding their way into the stitching holes of a mattress.
After our inspection where we determined the areas of infestation in the home, it was time to initiate our treatment plan. Cowleys Pest Services has been treating bed bugs ever since they’ve become a problem in Monmouth, Ocean, and surrounding counties. New Jersey has had a severe problem with bed bugs for many years because of our high population density and our proximity to New York City, which is one of the worst bedbug hot spots in the United States. Early on, Cowleys developed an effective set of protocols for our technicians to follow when treating bedbug infestations. This way, every home is treated uniformity no matter which technicians are assigned to the job, and most important, the homeowner is assured that there will be a successful outcome.
Solution
After the rooms and contents were thoroughly vacuumed, we used a commercial-grade steamer to clear out all cracks and crevices of common hiding areas, focusing on bedroom and living room furniture where people sleep and rest. Mattress and box springs encasements are installed on the beds, bed leg monitors are then placed where applicable, and a light chemical application is given to these areas, and along the baseboards. In the two-week follow-up, we will thoroughly re-inspect, and apply additional chemical applications to areas of concern. Two to three weeks later, in our final inspection, we make sure the home is completely free of bed bugs, again applying a light chemical application to any areas of concern. After this visit, our 90-day “no bite no sight” warranty goes into effect.
The reality with bed bugs is that it usually takes multiple treatments to fully resolve the infestation. During our follow-up visits, we treat the home as if it were the first visit, thoroughly inspecting the entire home, making no assumptions that certain areas of the home are now “safe” since bedbugs easily relocate by clinging on to people and their belongings. We will continue working with these Freehold homeowners until we are assured that their home is completely bed bug-free.
