How to Get Rid of Red Bugs

Red bugs, or red mites, are tiny pests that can become a real nuisance when they bite. Although their bites are not usually dangerous, they can be quite itchy and sometimes painful. To eliminate red bugs in your garden, start by clearing away tall weeds, identifying 'hot spots,' and spraying with either chemical or natural pesticides. To prevent these bugs from attaching to your skin, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, apply insect repellent safely, and take a shower and wash your clothes as soon as you return home.

Regularly trim the grass and cut back overgrown weeds. Shrubs, weeds, and tall grass are ideal hiding spots for red bugs. Pulling weeds and mowing the lawn is an effective and simple way to remove red bugs from your yard.

• Trim trees and bushes often to reduce moisture around plants and let sunlight in.
• These measures help reduce the shade and humidity that red bugs thrive in. They particularly dislike dry, sunny, and breezy areas.
• Keep up with these tasks year-round. The red bugs that hibernate will awaken as the weather warms up.

Prevent Hosts of Red Bugs from Entering the Garden. Reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals are favorite hosts for red bugs. By keeping these animals away from your home, you can also make the red bugs leave, as they follow their food sources.

• Eliminate water sources that attract reptiles and amphibians.
• Trim tree canopies and shrubs to prevent small animals from finding sheltered spots.
• Secure trash can lids tightly and fence off the garden or yard.

Identify Red Bug Hotspots in Your Yard for Targeted Treatment. When using either chemical or natural pesticides to eliminate red bugs, it's more effective and cost-efficient to focus on specific 'hotspots' rather than spraying the entire area. However, to do this, you first need to locate the red bugs!

• Find hotspots by placing small black cardboard boxes around the yard, especially in shaded, damp areas with plenty of plants. After 15-30 minutes, check the boxes for tiny yellow or pink bugs – these are red bug larvae!
• Another method is to place small dishes of water in key spots. Red bug larvae will be drawn to areas with high moisture.
• Monitor these hotspots to ensure precise treatment.

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth in Areas Where Red Bugs Gather. Diatomaceous earth, a natural organic pesticide, can help you eliminate red bugs and other pests in your garden and lawn. Wear gloves, goggles, and a mask when applying it by hand, or use a lawn spreader for a more efficient application.

• Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance made from tiny fossilized organisms called diatoms. It appears as a fine white or off-white powder.
• Sprinkle it around the perimeter of the garden and on areas that may serve as ideal habitats for red bugs. Focus on tall weeds and dense bushes.
• If red bugs ingest diatomaceous earth, they will die due to dehydration. The sharp particles can also cut the red bugs as they crawl over it, killing them.

Spray Pesticides at Red Bug Hotspots. Look for pesticides containing bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, carbaryl, cyhalothrin, or permethrin. Pesticides with these chemicals are typically effective at eliminating red bugs. Be sure to check the label to ensure the product targets mites and/or red bugs.

• Follow the label instructions for safe use. Wear protective clothing to avoid pesticide contact with skin or eyes when spraying.
• If your yard has a high number of red bugs, reapply the pesticide in 2-3 weeks.
• Spray pesticides are generally more effective than granules. However, if you opt for a granular pesticide, look for one containing bifenthrin.

Call a Pest Control Service if Red Bugs Are Severely Infested. If you've tried prevention methods, natural remedies, and household chemicals without success, contact a pest control service. Licensed pest control professionals can use stronger, more effective chemicals.

• For instance, pest control experts may use propoxur, cyfluthrin, or fluvalinate to eradicate red bugs.
• Stay away from areas being treated for red bugs until the chemicals have dried. Keep children and pets away during the recommended period.
• Even with strong chemicals, you may need to retreat in 2-3 weeks if the infestation is severe.

Brush exposed skin every 15-30 minutes when outside. Red bugs may not attach immediately when they make contact with your skin. Occasionally brushing exposed areas on your arms and legs is an effective way to remove red bugs that might jump onto your body.

• You can also brush your clothes to shake off any red bugs clinging to the fabric.
• Use a soft cloth or brush for brushing off the bugs.

Take a hot shower with soap when coming indoors. If you've been in an area where red bugs may be present, take a hot bath or shower as soon as you get home. If you're lucky, you'll wash off and eliminate any red bugs before they have a chance to cling to your skin.

• To effectively get rid of the bugs, apply soap, rinse with water, and repeat a few times while showering. Make sure the water is very warm to hot, not just lukewarm.
• Scrub the skin gently with a washcloth to dislodge any red bugs that might have attached to your skin.

Wash clothes with hot water. If you've had any contact with red bugs outdoors, make sure to eliminate any remaining bugs hiding in your clothes by washing them in hot, soapy water. The water must be at least 52°C to ensure that the red bugs can't survive. Additionally, the wash cycle should last at least 30 minutes to ensure complete eradication of the bugs.

• After washing, dry your clothes in a dryer or hang them out in the sun.
• Do not wear clothes that may have been infested with red bugs before washing them. Avoid using cold water for washing as it won't kill the bugs.

Alleviate itching caused by red bug bites without scratching. If red bugs have bitten you, you'll need to cope with itchy bites for several hours. Apply benzocaine ointment, hydrocortisone cream, or calamine lotion to reduce the itching from red bug bites. You can also soothe the itch using petroleum jelly (Vaseline), baby oil, or a mixture of baking soda and water.

• Resist the urge to scratch the bites no matter how itchy they may feel! Scratching could tear your skin and lead to an infection.
• If you notice heat around the bite and discharge, contact a doctor.

Che kín da bằng vải dệt khít để ngăn chặn bọ đỏ. Nếu bạn đi vào khu vực có bọ đỏ hoặc những nơi có cây cỏ mọc cao, hãy đề phòng bọ đỏ bám vào người bằng cách che chắn da càng kín càng tốt. Mặc quần dài, áo dài tay, đi tất dài và ủng cao cổ.

• Chọn quần áo may bằng vải dệt khít thay vì loại vải thưa. Bọ đỏ có kích thước nhỏ đến mức có thể chui lọt qua các lỗ hở giữa các sợi vải dệt thưa, nhưng chúng sẽ khó chui qua vải dệt khít.

Bịt kín những chỗ hở của quần áo. Bọ đỏ có thể tìm đường tiếp cận da của bạn bằng cách nhảy lên quần áo và bò xuống dưới. Để ngăn ngừa điều này, hãy bịt những chỗ hở dẫn đến da càng kín càng tốt. Đặc biệt chú ý đến các khu vực từ eo trở xuống, vì bọ đỏ thường di chuyển từ đám cỏ cao sang vùng thân dưới của bạn.

• Nhét tất vào quần hoặc nhét ống quần vào tất để bịt kín vùng da ở giữa.
• Bỏ áo vào quần. Bọ đỏ thích cắn vào các vùng da mỏng, chẳng hạn như vùng kín – oái!
• Nếu có mạo hiểm đi qua đám cỏ cao, bạn hãy dùng dây chun hoặc ruy băng buộc chặt cổ tay áo.
• Nếu có thể, bạn nên mặc áo có phéc mơ tuya thay vì áo cài khuy.

Rắc bột lưu huỳnh vào tất và giày. Một số chất có mùi nồng như bột lưu huỳnh rất hiệu quả trong việc xua đuổi bọ đỏ. Bạn hãy rắc bột lưu huỳnh mịn vào giày và/hoặc tất để xua đuổi những con bọ đỏ ẩn náu trong cỏ khi bước qua.

• Để bảo vệ tốt hơn nữa, bạn có thể cân nhắc rắc một lớp mỏng lưu huỳnh vào bên trong quần áo.
• Đừng quên là lưu huỳnh có mùi nồng, vì vậy có thể đây không phải là giải pháp lý tưởng nếu bạn nhạy cảm với mùi. Hơn nữa, cũng không có nhiều bằng chứng đáng tin cậy chứng minh rằng phương pháp này thực sự có hiệu quả.

Sử dụng thuốc chống côn trùng có chứa diethyltoluamide (DEET). DEET là một trong những chất xua đuổi bọ đỏ và các loài ve khác hiệu quả nhất. Thoa thuốc chống côn trùng lên những vùng da hở, đặc biệt là bàn tay, cánh tay và chân. Bạn cũng có thể xịt thuốc lên quần áo (nhưng không xịt vào da bên dưới quần áo).

• Thuốc chống côn trùng DEET có thể có hiệu quả trong 2-3 tiếng, sau đó bạn sẽ phải thoa lại thuốc.
• Không xịt DEET gần mắt hoặc miệng.
• Không xịt DEET lên vùng da dưới quần áo để tránh gây kích ứng da.
• Tuân theo hướng dẫn sử dụng trên nhãn sản phẩm cẩn thận. Một số thuốc chống côn trùng có thể làm hư hại quần áo, nhựa, sơn móng tay và các bề mặt có sơn hoặc véc ni.

Try spraying permethrin insect repellent on your clothing. Similar to DEET, permethrin (0.5%) insect repellent is highly effective at repelling red bugs. However, this product should only be used on clothing and should not be applied directly to the skin.

• The effectiveness of permethrin insect repellent can last for several days after spraying on clothing, and it remains effective even after 1-2 washes. Ideally, you should spray your clothes a day before wearing them.
• Spray both sides of the fabric, focusing on openings such as wrists, collar, and waist. Allow the spray to dry completely before wearing the clothes.
• Be sure to follow the product's instructions on the label. Like DEET-based insect repellents, some permethrin products can damage clothing, plastics, nail polish, and other painted or varnished surfaces.

Avoid walking through tall grass whenever possible. When strolling through parks, campsites, or other areas where you cannot control the height of the grass, be sure to stick to pathways. Consider any area with tall grass to be a habitat for red bugs, especially in shaded and moist spots.

• Stay away from unharvested fields and walk through the middle of rows to avoid brushing against tall grasses.
• Red bugs thrive in environments with plenty of shade and humidity, making tall weeds the perfect breeding ground.

Do not sit or lie down on the ground, particularly in areas where red bugs might gather. Although red bugs don't usually hide in short grass, they can still be present if there's tall brush nearby. If the red bugs move into low grass areas, they can bite and attach to exposed skin such as the hands, neck, or head.

• Avoid wearing flea collars around your wrists or ankles to prevent red bugs. You should also refrain from wearing cow or buffalo ear tags. These products are not intended for humans, and you could be exposed to harmful toxins or suffer chemical burns.

• Lawn mower
• Weed trimmer
• Peat moss
• Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and knee-high boots
• Sulfur powder
• Soap
• Hot water
• Washing machine
• DEET-based insect repellent
• Permethrin insect repellent
• Pesticide