If you do not understand the idea of having bed bugs crawling around your home, then, well, just losing sleep will seem easy. If you have already experienced bites or feel that there is a presence of them, you’re probably thinking of hiring an exterminator. However, treatments by pros come with a huge price tag, and most of the time, they require multiple visits. Fortunately, effective management of bed bugs is possible within homes and does not require hiring an exterminator, but rather individual efforts. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to do just that.
Identifying Bed Bugs and Signs of an Infestation
Before beginning a treatment program, determine if you indeed have an infestation. These nocturnal feeders inject their saliva into your skin while feeding, leaving tiny red welts that itch or swell. While bites are probably the first sign, look for these other signs too:
- Small black spots of bed bug faeces in mattress seams or cracks.
- Shed skins from bed bugs as they moult.
- Blood stains on your sheets.
You should check every room, not just the bed. Bed bugs could hide in furniture, on walls, and even inside electronics or drapes. So you’ll need to check all nooks to get an idea of what’s going on.
Treatment Processes Step by Step
Once you’re sure there is an infestation, it’s time to take action. Here’s how you can eradicate bed bugs:
Heat Treatment
The deadliest method to eliminate bed bugs is heat. Take all infested clothing, fabrics, curtains, and bedding, and run them in the dryer on the hottest temperature setting for at least half an hour. This kills both the bugs and their eggs.
Vacuuming
Get rid of bed bugs and their eggs by physically eliminating them. Focus on:
- Entire mattress, seams, undersides.
- Cracks in upholstered furniture.
- Carpeting, at least the bottom two inches of the rug.
After vacuuming, place a plastic bag over the vacuum bag. This way, if it contains bed bugs, it cannot re-infest your house once brought inside.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs instantly when applied directly to them. Mix 95% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Spray directly on them as often as you see them, including cracks and crevices in furniture. Do this daily.
Steam Cleaning
Steam can penetrate deep into cracks and fabrics, killing both bed bugs and their eggs. Use a high-temperature steam cleaner on mattresses, furniture, and curtains to ensure thorough treatment.
Protect Your Mattress
Once you’ve scrubbed your mattress clean, cover it with a bed bug-proof cover. This mattress cover encloses the mattress, trapping any remaining bugs inside and preventing further infestations. Covers are also available for furniture, offering an added layer of protection.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powder that kills bed bugs by breaking their exoskeletons. Lightly sprinkle it around areas commonly inhabited by bed bugs, such as baseboard edges, furniture legs, and cracks. Be sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth and avoid making piles of it, bed bugs won’t gather there.
What to Toss
In severe infestations, heavily infested furniture may need to be discarded. For instance, if bed bugs are deeply embedded in a couch or mattress, it may be best to get rid of it. However, simply removing furniture won’t necessarily stop bed bugs from infesting your
home.
Stay the Course and Be Patient
Bed bugs live to die, but not quickly. They can only be eradicated after several days, weeks, or even months of persistence, consistency, and patience. The only thing you will do is keep cleaning, continue your routine, vacuum, use rubbing alcohol, diatomaceous earth, and steam clean for at least two weeks. Remember to record where and when you see the bed bugs during these two weeks.
Preventive Measures
Now that you have completed a successful elimination process, take care to prevent further infestations:
- Check second-hand furniture before bringing it home.
- Use bed-bug-proof mattress encasements.
- Regularly clean and declutter areas that could attract bed bugs.
Be careful when travelling; you can inadvertently bring some unwanted guests home with mistaken luggage.
By doing all this and keeping a close watch, you can be sure of ridding the bugs from your house without the help of an exterminator. Keep going and continue, and sooner than you know, you can lay back in bed knowing that your house is completely free of bed bugs.