Really Bad Bedbugs - Remove walls to do heat treatment?

Question

So we have had a serious bed bug situation for awhile now because these tenants would not follow protocol. Now the building has been vacant for a few weeks and we did the spray but they are still there. The treatment suggested by the property manager is to remove the drywall and do a heat treatment, which sounds a little overboard. I have called a few bed bug companies and none have heard of removing the drywall to get rid of them.

Anyone done the heat treatment and still had an issue?

Would removing the drywall for an extra few thousand dollars make a difference?

Anyone done the heat treatment and still had an issue?

Would removing the drywall for an extra few thousand dollars make a difference?

Russell Brazil · Answer

Ive had success with the heat treatment. We did not remove drywall...however we did remove all outlet and switch covers and things of that nature to allow the heat to get in there.

Adam Odom · Answer

@Brie Schmidt yep it worked perfectly - and like @Russell Brazil mentioned they did remove the wallplates/light switch covers and "dusted" because they like to crawl around electrical (for the warmth I think he said).

Troy Sheets · Answer

This was my experience as well and it worked perfectly.

Anna Ferntheil · Answer

I had the pleasure of staying in housing with a bedbug exterminator while working in remote alaska. He said that he only uses heat treatment and advised me to stay away from the sprays-less effective and bad for you. He didn't say anything about having to remove drywall-even in the more extreme cases he'd seen. He said that as long as he is able to treat all units at once his heat treatment methods have been incredibly effective. Good luck!

Adam Odom · Answer

I unfortunately had them in a property once and the spray did nothing. Once heat treatment was done there were no further issues. Definitely did not remove the drywall either which seems strange to me.

Jack B. · Answer

I've read on this very forum of a powder that actually works. The reviews on amazon were actually good too. I just looked it up and this is it: https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Diatomaceous-Extended-Residual-Protection/dp/B06WD7RL6L/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1544813887&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=bed+bug+powder+diatomaceous+earth&psc=1

Brie Schmidt · Answer

Thanks!  It sounded unusual to me

Luciano A. · Answer

Don’t get scammed if a contractor is telling you to remove drywall. Heat treatment is used in places like dorms, hotels. They are not in the rooms ripping off the drywall to get rid of them. Keep searching for a more reputable company.

I hope these responses helps you to save on unnecessary work and $$$

Best of luck

Brie Schmidt · Answer

@Adam Odom - That is good to know, the heat did the trick?

The joys of being a landlord huh?

Really Bad Bedbugs - Remove walls to do heat treatment?

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