Like most people, you likely associate bed bugs with, well, beds! While they are partial to beds and other soft furnishings, these pests can turn up in the most unexpected places.

One place the EPA advises you to check if you have bed bugs is in electrical receptacles and appliances. Yes, even our beloved electronic devices are not out of bounds when it comes to these unwanted invaders.

Let’s take a closer look at exactly why we find bed bugs in electronics and what you can do about this problem.

Bed Bugs in Electronics – Why?

Bed bugs are small, about the size of a flattened apple seed. Understanding their size can give you an idea of the kinds of places they can access.

A good rule of thumb is the credit card test. A bed bug is about the thickness of a credit card. That means that if you can get a credit card into a crack, it’s big enough to admit a bed bug.

But this brings us to our question – why on earth do we find bed bugs in electronics? What’s in it for them?

Not Their First Choice

As bed bugs go about their day, they’re looking for a heat source, as a heat source is usually indicative of a human’s body heat, or where their next meal is coming from.

So, electronic devices are not their first choice. Sure, many of them are warm, but there’s simply nothing for them to eat there.

Unlike other pests that can digest dead skin etc., bed bugs eat one thing only – blood. And unless you’ve got some seriously strange electronics, there’s no blood to be found there.

So why do you sometimes find bed bugs in electronic devices? 

Sign of a Serious Infestation

If you’re finding bed bugs in electronic devices, such as your laptop, this means that you are dealing with a serious bed bug infestation.

When you’ve got lots of bed bugs in your house, they start looking beyond their usual hiding places to hang out. Normally, they like to be in your bed, in your bedding, and your soft furnishings, as this is often where you’ll be.

However, when they multiply to significant numbers, bed bugs have to start looking for new places to hang out and reproduce between meals. This is why they might start taking up residence in your electronics. 

You are most likely to find bed bugs in electronics that you store close to your bed. They may start living in your radio alarm, for example.

Do you keep your laptop under your bed at night? Do you have a desktop computer in your bedroom? These pests could also start living in these electronics as well. 

If you have bed bugs in your electronics, it’s time to call in a pest control service.

Controlling Bed Bugs in Electronics

Controlling bed bugs in electronics means eliminating bed bugs in all areas of your home. If you don’t treat the bugs and eggs living in all locations, these pests are likely to survive and return.

Traditional Pest Control Methods

There are three main ways of controlling bed bugs.

First, there is the insecticide approach. This involves using lots of toxic chemicals in your home. While there are many approved by the EPA, it’s very important to follow the safety instructions when it comes to this solution.

If not used correctly, the toxins can be harmful to human health and damaging to electronics. Many people prefer to avoid these chemical systems whenever possible.

Another method is using heat. With this system, the room is sealed and heated to over 120°F. It’s then held at this heat for several hours.

Bed bugs cannot survive at this temperature, and neither can their eggs. The problem is, neither can your electronics. You’ll have to remove all your electronics from your household first.

This solution is therefore unsuitable for treating electronics infested with bed bugs. Even if you bag these electronics and vacuum them, bed bugs can still remain.

In fact, bed bugs can live up to a year in a sealed bag! Thankfully, there is another option that actually works, avoids any toxic chemicals, and allows you to keep all of your furnishings and electronics in place.

Why Cryonite is the Best Choice for Bed Bugs

The last of the pest control solutions for bed bugs is Cryonite.

This targeted method freezes the bed bugs and their eggs, killing them. It’s highly effective and safe to use around both humans and animals.

It is also effective at flushing out bed bugs. The CO2 released by Cryonite signals to the bed bugs that there’s a human host around. This can cause them to come scuttling out of their hiding places.

Follow up with another treatment 15 to 20 minutes later, and you’ll be able to kill these ones that come out of hiding, including in electronics.

Cryonite is also safe to use on electronic equipment. This even includes phones, laptops, and desktop computers!

The only precaution you need to take is not to apply Cryonite directly to electronic circuits and components. There is no residue from Cryonite itself. But because it cools the equipment, moisture in the form of condensation can develop after the treatment. 

You can leave electronic devices in the room being treated with Cryonite. However, for safety, unplug/disconnect them first. 

Get Your Bed Bug Infestation Under Control!

If you’re finding bed bugs in your electronics, it’s a sign that you’ve got a serious bed bug infestation. This can have a detrimental effect on your health, so it’s important to take action. It’s time to call pest control in.

Cryonite is one of the best systems out there for dealing with bed bugs, both in homes and businesses. One of the major advantages is that you don’t need to remove your electronics. They can just be unplugged and left in place.

Contact us today to discuss how Cryonite can be of assistance to your household or business.

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