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How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Jul 30, 2021

It’s never pleasant to suspect you have an infestation, but many homeowners detest one specific pest problem: bed bugs. It’s easy to see why; bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate — not to mention costly.

Bed bugs have evolved to become the “ultimate parasite,” allowing them to survive for lengthy periods, frequently going undiscovered until they’ve become a problematic issue. As a result, you may not realize you have an issue until the colony of bed bugs has reached catastrophic proportions or until you begin to wake up with bites from the previous night.

Thankfully, there are several ways to rid your home of bed bugs. Below we’ll discuss how to address a bed bug infestation and keep your household pest-free.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny, brownish insects that feed on human or animal blood. The bodies of mature bed bugs are flat and approximately the size of an apple seed. Their bodies enlarge and become crimson after they feed.

Bed bugs can infiltrate your home unnoticed through luggage, clothing, second hand couches and beds, and other objects. Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into a credit card-sized space. Unlike ants and bees, bed bugs do not build nests, preferring instead to live in clusters in dark crevices.

Bed bugs are mainly nocturnal, and they frequently bite victims while they are asleep. The majority of bedbug bites are harmless at first but develop into unpleasant welts eventually. People who are unaware that they have a bedbug problem may blame itching and welts on other factors, such as mosquitoes. You must first locate and identify the insects to determine bed bug bites.

Bed Bug Removal Techniques

Once you’ve verified that bed bugs are invading your bed every night, you must act quickly. The longer you wait to address a bed bug problem, the more money and time it will take to eradicate them. If you need to get rid of bed bugs quickly, try these solutions.

1. Clean Everything

The most effective method for getting rid of bed bugs is to stop supplying them with nourishment. Keep your mattress apart from the rest of the room to keep any bugs away. Begin by pushing the bed away from the wall and other pieces of furniture such as nightstands and chairs. Remove any floor-hanging box spring skirting. Oversized blankets draped on the floor can be used as a ramp for the critters. Protect the legs with tape or glue trays to prevent the bugs from crawling out of the center well or creeping up the leg of your bed frame.

Hiding spots of bed bugs are usually exposed when bed frames in infested areas are dismantled. It’s critical to have access to these locations when cleaning. Place the box spring on its side and search for bed bugs with a flashlight.

Strip the room of all personal objects, including toys, sheets, electronics, or anything else that won’t be staying there permanently. Bed bugs like to lurk in drawers, so remove them from desks and dressers. Flip the furniture over to check and clean any hidden areas. Pull all the furniture away from the walls.

To remove eggs, use a firm brush to scrub infested areas. Since bed bugs stick to surfaces so firmly, it’s recommended to vacuum by dragging the tip of the vacuum hose over the affected areas. Afterwards, put the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it outside in a trash can.

2. Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth, also referred to as DE, is the finely powdered remains of diatom fossils, which are tiny aquatic organisms. The sharp edges of their bodies inflict scratches and shred the exoskeleton of insects like bed bugs. Scatter this dust around the room’s perimeter and the box spring and mattress. It eliminates bed bugs gradually, although it is still effective if left undisturbed.

Bed bug prevention and treatment are both possible with diatomaceous earth. Follow these instructions to put DE to work:

Locate any spots in your household where you believe bed bugs may be lurking.
Spread DE to the moldings, drawers, any cracks, behind appliances, window frames, and door jams with an applicator.
Sprinkle DE under electrical switches and outlets with an applicator after removing all faceplates.

Apply a small amount of DE to furniture and mattresses, working it into the fabric with your hands.

3. Heat Treatments

Insecticides are excellent, but they aren’t the only option. If you or somebody in your household is chemically sensitive, or you don’t want to spray pesticides where you sleep, utilize heat to eliminate the parasites. Bed bugs at all stages are killed at temperatures exceeding 120 degrees F.

After you’ve confirmed an infestation, your initial step should be placing all of your fabrics in plastic bags. Secure the bags with firm knots and keep them sealed until washing. Using hot water, wash the items thoroughly and allow them to air dry. If you intend to send your items to a dry cleaner or a public laundry, chemically treat them first to keep the bugs from spreading. Infected areas can also be treated with steamers.

What If None of These Methods Work?

Bed bugs are tricky to eliminate, with DIY techniques sometimes failing or exacerbating the problem. It’s better to hire pest management experts that are skilled in eradicating bed bugs quickly to make things easy for you. By entrusting the task to them, you may rest assured that the situation has been appropriately recognized and resolved.

Takeaway Points

Bed bugs are among the most problematic pests to eradicate from your home. These tiny insects are adept stowaways, stashing away in bags, backpacks, and other personal possessions.

Throughout this article, we have discussed several approaches on how to get rid of bed bugs. We hope we have supplied you with enough knowledge to succeed if you are a DIY enthusiast up for a challenge. If you want to work with experts, we hope we’ve provided you with adequate information to raise the right questions while considering pest control services.