Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide

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2 months ago

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Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide

Bed bugs are a small sneaky critter that can gain entrance to your place and do a real number on it. There’s nothing to worry about, though, because you can get rid of them in so many ways in order to keep your house free from pests! This article can help discuss different strategies of eliminating bugs—from natural remedies all the way to getting professional pest control. So, let’s dive in and learn how to banish these pesky bugs for good!

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Determining the Presence of Bed Bugs

The very first step before you begin eradication of bed bugs is to confirm the presence of these pests. Bed bugs are tiny, reddish-brown insects that feed intensively on blood. They are roughly the size of an apple seed and remain extremely cryptic; therefore, it’s quite challenging to identify them. Check into the following to determine if there are bed bugs:

Live bugs actively wandering around on your bed or in the folds
Dark spots (their fecal matter) on your bedding or mattress
Reddish spots on your mattress from crushed bugs
Small pale yellow skins or shells in the creases and joints

If you are not sure whether you have a bed bug infestation, it is possible to take a specimen through a pest control company for identification.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Preparing for Treatment

Before you begin treating your home for bed bugs, there are a few things you should do first:
Launder and dry bedding and clothing at the warmest temperature to kill any bug or egg which could hide in the fabric.

Thoroughly vacuum the floor, especially in hiding places: cracks, crevices, and corners preferred by bed bugs. After vacuuming, throw away the vacuum bag in a plastic bag outside.

You can use caulk or sealant to fill any kind of cracks or any gaps in your home. It will remove potential hideouts of bed bugs. Shift your bed at least 6 inches away from the wall, so that bed bugs cannot be able to hide behind the wall and crawl up to your bed. Natural Treatments If you’d like to go for more of a natural treatment in getting rid of a bed bug infestation, then you might consider the following:

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Repellent bed bugs – It is believed that peppermint oil, tea tree oil, lavender, and eucalyptus oil do help in repelling bedbugs. Mix a few drops of the oils with water in a spray bottle, and you can spray it all around your house.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Diatomaceous earth: This is made from the fossilized remains of aquatic animals, which are ground into very fine powder. It works on coming into contact with the bedbugs, which damage its exoskeleton and cut it to bleed to death.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Heat treatment: Bed bugs can be killed with high temperatures; one of the main ways to kill bed bugs is with heat. Launder the bedding and clothing by exposing it to at least 45°C water for 30 minutes, and subsequently dry it in a tumble drier for 30 minutes at a high temperature. Steam mattresses and furniture to kill the bugs or eggs.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Cold treatment: Bed bugs can be killed by freezing conditions. Items that are suspected to be harboring infestations can be placed in a plastic garbage bag, sealed, and frozen by being subjected to 0°F (that is, -17.8°C) for at least 4 days.

Real chemical treatments for bed bugs become necessary when natural ones simply no longer cut it. Look for good quality, EPA-registered insecticides and use them according to label directions. Treat wearing a mask, in open areas, and steer clear of the baby and pet zones.

You may also bring a professional pest control company that would have much better access to potent insecticides. They might use several non-chemical strategies, as well, together with chemical interventions, for your dwelling.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Preventing Future Infestations

After clearing your home of bed bugs, you must now come up with plans on how to prevent re-infestation :
Regularly inspect your home for bed bug presence, especially in harborage areas within the bed, couch, or furniture.
Regularly vacuum and launder bedding to reduce bug and egg populations.

Use mattress encasements to trap any bugs that may be inside your mattress and prevent new ones from getting in.
Travel with care. Inspect the hotel room for bed bug evidence. Do not place luggage on the bed or floor. Wash and dry clothes on high heat when back home.

Signs have been there, more in the last few years, that clearly indicate the number of bed bug infestations in America is on the rise. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bed bug populations have been increasing by 50% since 2000. Mostly, this should be attributable to the factors such as international travel, the ban on some of the pesticides, and the resistance of bed bugs to insecticides.

The growing problem has catalyzed a public awareness campaign initiated by the EPA named “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite”. The campaign aims to educate people about bedbug identification, prevention, treatment, and safe procedures in dealing with the pests if people have an infestation.

Furthermore, many cities and states have passed infestations, requiring landlords to disclose to the tenants and the need for treatment. This has helped a lot to cut the spread of the bed bug infestations, assuring that it is handled promptly.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Conclusion

The removal of bed bugs is tough to do but possible with the right tools and knowledge. You may want to do it the natural way, apply chemical treatment, or both, but be persistent and detailed. Don’t forget to always follow safety precautions and consult with a professional if you’re unsure about anything.
With a little elbow grease and a lot of determination, one can gain back one’s home from these sickening insects and enjoy good sleep without any worry about being bitten. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to work and say goodbye to those little critters for good!