A big push that I noted at the Home & Housewares show yesterday was booth signs and materials that pointed out in a big, bold way that their products could help to deal with the problem no one wants to have to tackle: BEDBUGS! An interesting PR trend to be sure …
… but what are these products and what do they claim to do?
Verilux was showing a UV-C Sanitizing Vacuum called the Clean Wave ($399.95) which is hitting the market now. They say that it is effective for bedbug prevention and germ-killing. In addition to focusing UV light on the surface you are using the machine on, it operates just like a regular vacuum, allowing you to sanitize with UV light while getting rid of dust bunnies. The new vacuum's promotional materials state: CleanWave germicidal UV-C light penetrates micro-organism's cell membranes and damages the DNA, preventing the growth of germs on surfaces and causing virtually immediate elimination of these unwanted organisms.
Reliable is presenting a full line of canister steam cleaners ($599 - 1599) that they also marketing as a bed bug preventative. Their materials put forward the use of high temperature steam as a recommended method for killing bedbugs without the use of chemicals.
Reps from both of these companies talked about consumers needing to work with an abatement professional if there is already an infestation - these DIY solutions are just part of the puzzle, not a complete solution. Both are recommended for prevention and pro treatment followup.
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A UV Vacuum that you use on the rugs/carpet & a steam cleaner that you use on the bathroom & hard-surfaces isn't going to do a lick of good on bedbugs that live in your mattress, bedding & drapery...
...notice that the dust wand & upholstery heads don't have UV lights - and who steam-cleans their mattress, draperies or luggage?
I wonder about the UVC product. Is it powerful enough to get the desired effect if they don't require any safety measures with the product? Usually if you are dealing with UV light, you could really injure yourself if you don't wear goggles. I understand that the lamp would be pointed at the ground but it must have really low power if the company isn't concerned about potential safety risks. Sounds kind of gimmicky to me.
My mother lived in a house with bedbugs in the 30s; it was built of reassembled lumber from another house. They only got rid of them when they moved. Point being, they can get in anywhere and are hard to remove, certainly not by a vacuum. I think this is a marketing gimmick.
The UV light sounds like a marketing gimmick to me too.
Steam will kill bedbugs/eggs, but it won't penetrate the walls or get every nook and cranny to ensure total elimination if you have an infestation. If you do have the bugs steam cleaners are good though, to clean your bedframe, baseboards, curtains, bedding, etc, and keep things under control.
Sounds like snake oil to me.