This bed bug case study began when a Toronto homeowner contacted us after searching for “bed bug extermination services in Toronto” on Google. After reading our customer reviews on HomeStars, the client felt confident reaching out to us for help.
The homeowner was extremely concerned about one thing in particular. Their wooden bed frame. Like many Toronto residents, the client had invested in quality furniture and was hoping it wouldn’t go to waste.
Background
Wooden bed frames are one of the hardest items to treat for bed bugs. This is because wood contains:
Cracks, joints, and screw holes
Natural grain lines where bed bugs hide
Compressed wood where bed bugs lay eggs and also hide
Areas where eggs are nearly impossible to see
Bed bugs prefer wooden furniture because it provides countless hiding spots close to their food source. In most cases, wooden bed frames are disposed if highly infested with bed bugs. However, many times, with the right expertise, and a lot of hard work they can be saved.
Inspection
After a full inspection, our entomologist confirmed that the infestation was:
Isolated to the master bedroom
Heavily concentrated within the wooden bed frame
No evidence of spread to other rooms in the home
Here are 2 videos showing what our entomologist found during the inspection of the bed:
Extensive Treatment
Due to the importance and critical condition of the bed frame, our entomologist decided to perform an intensive mechanical treatment focused entirely on the bed frame.
Step 1: Complete Bed Frame Dismantling
The wooden bed was fully dismantled. Every joint, screw, and wooden piece. This was to ensure each area and groove was exposed for inspection and treatment.
In such situations nothing can be left to chance.
Each section of the frame was then examined for:
Bed bug eggs
Nymphs (baby bed bugs)
Adults
Fecal matter
Fecal matter was essential to locating hidden infestation sites.
Step 2: Mechanical Treatment
Using professional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools, our entomologist:
Physically crushed visible eggs
Removed live bed bugs
Eliminated hidden egg clusters within cracks and joints
Mechanical treatment is one of the most effective methods when done correctly, especially for wooden furniture, because it is science based and effective.
5 Hour Treatment
This was not a job to be rushed, as it required extensive attention to detail and hard work. Thus, the full bed treatment took over 5 hours.
Once the treatment was completed, the bed frame was carefully reassembled and returned to its original state.
Moral of The Story
Bed bug infestations don’t always mean you have to throw everything away. When caught early and handled by experienced professionals who use science based techniques, even difficult items like wooden bed frames can often be saved.
