Is there such a thing as bed bug prevention?

There are two ways to professionally classify bed bug presences:

1. Introduction of bed bugs (not yet an infestation)
2. Infestation of bed bugs

Unfortunately, there’s not a magic chemical that will forever prevent you from acquiring bed bugs. Realistically, it’s all about timing. The sooner you can detect the presence of bed bugs, the more successful elimination will be.

Bed Bug Detection

When choosing a bed bug exterminator Chicago, you should ask about the company’s bed bug detection methods. The following are the most common methods nowadays:

• Visual detection by thorough inspection
• Bed bug sniffing dogs
• Glueboard monitor placement
• Physical evidence, such as bed bug bites, cast exoskeleton skins, or actual insect sightings
• Verifi

There are pros and cons with every method. Some are more efficient than others. Even professionally trained dogs can miss signs of bed bugs. Most of the time, it’s wise if a professional bed bug exterminator company uses multiple methods to ensure accuracy. Early detection is key!

Photo Courtesy Ricky Kluge

What is Verifi?

It’s probably the one bullet point above in that detection method list you don’t recognize. But it’s awesome. It’s the least expensive detection method. And Rose Pest Solutions has it and loves using it! Take a look at the video below. Mad props go out to our friend Arnold Ramsey, with FMC, for all of his hard work on developing this product. It has changed the way bed bugs are detected everywhere!

How Does Verifi Work?

The Verifi bed bug detector is designed to attract and detect both host-seeking bed bugs and aggregation-seeking bed bugs. Check out the different technical components:

A. The replaceable Verifi™ CO₂ booster pack mimics a living, breathing host for about 24 hours using an exclusive chemical reaction to generate carbon dioxide. This reaction starts upon activation and requires no batteries or other power source.

B. The replaceable Verifi lure features two additional attractants: a kairomone, to attract bed bugs seeking a meal, and a pheromone that encourages bed bugs to aggregate in the harborage area of the device. Consistent amounts of these attractants are continuously emitted for up to 90 days.
These attractants are segregated within the device to prevent confusion of the bed bugs. The CO2 and kairomone attract host-seeking bed bugs to the pitfall of the device, while the pheromone attracts aggregation-seeking bed bugs to the harborage area. This helps make Verifi one of the most effective and irresistable detectors on the market.

C. Bed bugs fall into the pitfall and are unable to climb out, ensuring the pests can’t escape detection. Tiny holes at the bottom of the pitfall allow attractants to be emitted but prevent any small nymphs from slipping into the device.

D. A harborage area on the back of the detector encourages bed bugs to gather so that bed bugs, cast skins, eggs and other visual evidence can be observed, signifying an infestation.

E. A self-adhesive sticker allows the detector to be installed without tools.

Why Verifi?

The innovative design of the Verifi™ bed bug detector offers significant advantages over traditional bed bug detection methods. Let’s compare.

Visual inspection:
The traditional two-person inspection team is time-consuming and can be expensive. With Verifi, the occurrence of human error due to subjectivity is minimized.

Canine inspection:
The use of canines for detection is expensive and after a positive signal, a pest control technician still has to search for a bed bug to confirm that the room is infested. Canines also create a possibility for a false positive (indicating bed bugs are present when they are not.) Using Verifi eliminates the high cost of detection and the risk of inaccuracy.

Other detection devices:
Current active bed bug detection devices are only in service for, at most, a few days. This creates the potential to miss any bed bugs that did not crawl to the device or were introduced to the room after the inspection. The Verifi Bed Bug Detector continues to attract bed bugs for 90 days at a time, giving you and your customers ongoing peace of mind.

Other Benefits of Verifi

In addition to being a successful and cost-effective detection device for bed bug presences, small or large, the Verifi is also reassuring for our customers. How?

• It confirms insect elimination after bed bug treatments have been completed.
• It’s small, discreet, and easy to use.
• Provides 90 days of detection, as opposed to a few hours with visual or canine detection.
• Detects bed bugs that are looking for a blood meal as well as bed bugs that want to be close to other bed bugs.
• Can be used in homes, apartments, hotels, hospitals, group housing, office buildings and more.

Arnold Ramsey installs a Verifi device on a bed frame

If you’re asking yourself,
How do I know if I have bed bugs,
don’t be shy! VERIFI!

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