Buzz
Bed bugs are becoming a growing global concern. They can infest any home, regardless of its cleanliness. Known for their resilience, bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate, which is why professional pest control services should be your first call. However, there are several steps you can take to tackle a bed bug problem; the first is confirming that you’re dealing with an infestation.
Steps
Treating Mattresses and Bedrooms
Try using a hot steam machine. One immediate method to kill bed bugs is using a hot steam spray. Bed bugs cannot survive exposure to steam, so you can spray steam whenever you spot them. Use a handheld steamer to target visible bugs. However, keep in mind that this method only kills the bugs you can see and doesn’t address those hiding in cracks and crevices, where bed bugs often prefer to stay.
Vacuum the mattress. Remove the bed linens and place them in a large trash bag. Thoroughly vacuum the mattress and box spring, making sure to clean underneath them as well.
- Treating the mattress is the first step you must take immediately. Bed bugs typically bite at night, so you need to clean your sleeping area by vacuuming and sealing the mattress, then isolating the bed from other potential infestations.
Purchase a mattress encasement. Choose a bed bug-proof mattress cover that is durable and tear-resistant.
Encase the mattress and box spring with protective covers. Bed bugs cannot penetrate these covers, so any bugs trapped inside will be unable to bite you. Eventually, the trapped bugs will die, and external bugs will have no place to hide. Keep the encasements on for about a year.
Discard the cover if it tears. If the mattress encasement gets damaged, dispose of it and replace it with a new one. Bed bugs can squeeze through even the smallest openings.
Wash the bed linens. Wash the bed linens in very hot water and rinse them with hot water as well. Then dry them on the hottest setting. The high temperature will kill any bed bugs clinging to the fabric.
- Remember to throw away the trash bags containing the old linens to ensure they are no longer in your home.
Place clothes in black garbage bags. Leave these bags under the sun on a hot afternoon. The heat will kill any bed bugs inside.
Tidy up the room. If the room is cluttered, you need to clean it up. Piles of disorganized items are common hiding spots for bed bugs, so reducing clutter can lower their chances of survival.
Vacuum the room thoroughly. You can eliminate a significant number of bed bugs by vacuuming carefully. Remember to dispose of the vacuum bag or contents outside the house after vacuuming.
Use bed bug isolation tools. These are placed under the bed legs to prevent bed bugs from climbing up. Commercial products often feature a 'moat' design to block their access to the bed.
Move the bed away from walls and other furniture. If the bed touches walls or other furniture, bed bugs can still crawl onto it.
Seek professional assistance
Avoid resorting to pesticides immediately. Pesticides are not highly effective in eliminating bed bugs. Therefore, using them on your bed or room won't provide much help.
Contact a pest control expert. If you suspect a bed bug problem, the first step is to call a professional service, as you likely lack the skills and tools to address the issue thoroughly.
Understand what preparations are needed. Pest control technicians will need to inspect and treat most rooms in your home, including headboards, baseboards, carpets, mattresses, and bed springs.
Ensure the service technicians are skilled. Observe to confirm they inspect every corner and crevice. They should identify potential bed bug hiding spots, though you may need to point out hidden areas.
Utilize heat treatment methods. Pest control services can heat rooms to extremely high temperatures that you cannot achieve on your own. Inquire with them about this approach.
Notify the building management. If you live in an apartment, inform the management, as bed bugs can spread from one unit to another. When treating one apartment, adjacent units and those above and below must also be treated simultaneously.
Prevent bed bugs from entering your home
Wash newly purchased secondhand clothes immediately. If you buy clothes from a thrift store, wash them in hot water right away. You can also dry them on high heat. This process will eliminate any bed bugs present.
Avoid bringing discarded furniture home. That perfectly good couch someone threw away might be tempting. However, such items could harbor bed bugs, which might then infest your home if you bring the furniture inside.
Purchase a new mattress. If buying a used mattress, ensure it has been professionally cleaned before bringing it home. For added safety, encase the mattress and box spring in dust-mite-proof covers to prevent bed bug bites at night.
Inspect hotel rooms. Before settling in, check the mattress and surrounding areas for bed bugs. Keep your luggage away from the bed if possible.
- Place your suitcase on a luggage rack, preferably far from the bed. Avoid placing luggage on the floor.
Wash clothes after traveling. Upon returning home from a trip, wash all clothes in hot water immediately. Additionally, store your suitcase in the garage if possible.
Consider the well-being of others. If dealing with a bed bug issue, you may need to discard certain furniture or bedding. Before disposing of these items, destroy them to prevent others from taking them. Leave a note explaining the reason for disposal.
Identify signs of bed bugs
Search for bed bugs in hidden corners. Bed bugs are masters of concealment, often hiding in cracks, mattresses, or even behind items on your nightstand. Use a flashlight to thoroughly inspect these areas for any signs of their presence.
Look for telltale signs. Bed bugs leave behind small, dark fecal spots in areas they inhabit. You might also notice tiny blood stains on your sheets in the morning, indicating their activity.
Examine bite marks. Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites. In fact, only about one-third of people develop visible bite marks. These bites typically appear as small, pink, itchy bumps and often occur in clusters of three.
Compare with other insects. If you find a bug, compare it to online images to determine if it’s a bed bug or another pest like a tick or flea. Accurate identification is key to effective treatment.
Inspect other rooms. While bedrooms are the most common sites of bed bug infestations, it’s crucial to check other areas of your home. For instance, bed bugs can hitch a ride on furniture like sofas, making living rooms potential hotspots for infestations.
