A vacuum is an environmentally friendly pest control tool that is ideal for removing insects and arachnids that occasionally wander into homes. Many homeowners in the northeast have come to rely on a vacuum for sucking up large numbers of seasonal pests that cluster into small hard-to-reach indoor spaces. However, it is important to note that seasonal pests like brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, and western conifer seed bugs emit an unpleasant odor when they become disturbed, threatened or are crushed. Since being sucked into a vacuum is certainly a disturbing experience for these bugs, they will emit a stink from within the bag that may become overwhelming unless the bag is promptly discarded outdoors. When it comes to the use of vacuums for pest control, it is recommended that homeowners use only those vacuums with a HEPA filter, as doing so will prevent pest allergens from disseminating into the air. There also exists vacuum products that are designed solely for pest control purposes, some of which are available to consumers.
In addition to normal vacuums available in retail stores, many pest control companies issue their technicians high-powered backpack vacuums that they use to supplement other control methods while eliminating pest infestations. For instance, pest control professionals often use a vacuum to suck up numerous cockroaches that swarm into the open after being flushed from wall voids. Also, during high heat treatments for bed bugs, pest control professionals keep a vacuum handy to capture individual bed bugs that escape from hot locations such as cracks and crevices on walls and flooring. Around a decade ago, an international business that specializes in developing pest control devices introduced a heavy duty, but lightweight vacuum called the “bug sucker.” The bug sucker also converts into a blower, and while it is significantly more powerful than consumer grade vacuums, the bug sucker is surprisingly quiet. The bug sucker is meant to be used to suck up bed bugs, spiders, bees, ants and cockroaches.
Have you ever used your vacuum to suck up insect and/or arachnid pests?
