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How do I get rid of bed bugs?

How Do I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

Bed bug sightings are not something that you should take lightly. They are so small, and they reproduce so rapidly that seeing one means that there are more hiding somewhere. No matter the amount of bed bug sightings you record, there is always a solution for you. Obviously, when dealing with a pest infestation, consistency and diligence is the key to success. If you are skeptical about calling in the professionals, you can carry out a DIY elimination method to eliminate bedbugs in your home or office. In this article, we will be discussing the proper steps to take when getting rid of bed bugs. We offer a systematic guide to your very own DIY bed bug elimination method.

Identify Every Infested Area

Once you begin sighting bed bugs in your home or office, you want to locate them as soon as possible before they are comfortable enough to start reproducing. The quicker you discover the infestation sources, the easier and cheaper the cost of getting rid of them is. To find them easily, you need to familiarize yourself with their signs prior to the search. Check every crack and crevice, as well as newly acquired used furniture. Search for dark red stains on your bed cover, shed skin, and eggs. Once you find one, trace it back to a particular area where more could be hiding. You can also actively search for bed bugs at night since it is when they come out to feed.

bed bug infestation in bed

Contain the Infestation

Upon confirming that bed bugs are present, you need to seal off the area to avoid spreading the infestation. Avoid transferring clothes, bedding, furniture, and other items out of the infested area. You can use a vacuum cleaner to trap them by running the vacuum cleaner across the entire area. Properly bag and dispose of the bugs afterward.

Room Preparation

This is an important step to take before applying any form of treatment. You need to prepare the room or rooms that have bed bugs. You can clean out clothes, carpets, curtains, and drapes separately to make the job easier. Subsequently, open up bed bug hiding spots to allow the treatment to penetrate. Move every piece of furniture away from the wall to stop bed bugs from hiding behind them. Once you are done, complete the preparation by sealing up exposed power outlets, loose wallpaper, and open floorboards.

bed bug spray

Exterminate Every Bed Bug

Eliminating bed bugs without professional help is not that hard, most especially if you are able to contain the infestation. You can opt for a non-chemical approach by employing temperature differential. High temperatures above 150 degrees Fahrenheit and low temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit will kill any bed bug. For items like clothes and bedding, wash in hot water for over 20 minutes and then dry using a dryer set to maximum heat for about 30 minutes. For your bed, couch, and other similar furniture, use a steamer to get rid of the bed bugs.

Once you have succeeded in eliminating every visible bed bug, cover your bed with a bed bug- proof cover. This will trap those that escaped inside while keeping new bugs at bay. If you cannot efficiently eliminate the bed bugs using these methods, then you can take a more drastic approach using traps and sprays. You can set up traps around areas with high bed bug activities for greater efficiency. Chemical and non-chemical EPA-registered pesticides made particularly to tackle bed bugs will do the trick. There are different traps and pesticides available at your local store.

Monitor the Infested Areas

These critters are as resilient as they come. It can take quite a while to remove bed bugs out of your zone completely. Therefore, you need to monitor every treated area, carrying out routine checks to ensure no bed bug remains. This is another period where bed bug traps are handy. Place them around the legs of your bed frame, and any incoming bug will fall into the trap.

wash infested bed bug sheets

Call in a Professional

If everything fails, then calling in a professional is the wisest thing to do. Pest control companies have tools and chemicals that you do not have. From temperature differential treatment to chemical and non-chemical fumigation, they have it all. They will be able to carry out full house fumigation, and they are usually not that expensive. They will tell you what you need to know and do before their arrival as well as how many sessions are required to completely eradicate all bed bugs.