Getting rid of bed bugs can be tricky. This is mostly because this pest reproduces fast and an infestation can break out within weeks. If you have a bed bug problem in your home and you are looking for Bed Bug Infestation Tips, this resource has been put together to address your questions.
Getting rid of bed bugs from your home will require time, dedication, and attention. This is mostly because these pests are small and can be found in dark areas like inside furniture, mattresses, and more. In addition, they are somewhat hard to kill. First, on your mission to get rid of bed bugs, you must be sure that your home is indeed infested by bed bugs and not any other type of pest. To identify this pest, below are some of the early signs that signal an infestation;
- Presence of small dark brown or black fecal stains on the walls, sheets, pillowcases, and mattresses.
- Bite marks that appear red and itchy
- White-colored tiny eggs no more than the size of a pinhead
- Small blood stains on your sleepwear and bedsheets
- Tiny, flat, brown, or reddish-brown colored ants
Correctly identifying the pest problem in your home is the first line to effective eradication and extermination.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Permanently
One of the most trusted ways to get rid of bed bug problems in your home or business is to hire a professional. However, if you are interested in approaching the extermination process yourself, you need a lot of patience, persistence, and time. Below are some steps to take to ensure that your home is free from bed bugs.
Create a Checklist of What Is Needed to Exterminate Bed bugs and Their Eggs
As part of your plan to exterminate bed bugs and keep your home clean, the first step should be a checklist. Create a checklist of everything that you need to get rid of the adult bed bugs as well as the eggs. Getting rid of one without the other creates more problems. eggs can hatch to create more infestation, and the adults can make more eggs to continue the problem.
Your checklist of items needed to get rid of the pest problem should include flashlights to see into the dark crevices where these pests may be hiding; a roll of clear tape, plastic garbage and shopping bags, cloth and hot soapy water to wipe off the eggs and bedbug clusters, heat treatment to get rid of the adult bed bugs and the eggs. You also need bed bug traps or interceptors, gloves and masks, latex or silicone sealants, and disinfectants.
Put Your Room In Order
To begin the extermination process, you must clear the clutter. Take this extermination process as a two-in-one process where you get to clean your home and also rid it of bed bug problems. clear the clutter to allow space to focus on all of the affected areas. Be sure to wear protective coverings while doing this as you do not want to harbor bed bugs in your clothing.
Remove and Wash Bedding, Pillows, Pillowcases, Curtains, and Clothes
Bed bugs are notorious for being resilient. Having one bed bug in your home can cause an infestation in a matter of weeks. To prevent this, wash your clothes, pillows and pillowcases, beddings, and other items in warm or hot water, depending on the kind of fabric you are working with. This will kill the eggs that may have been deposited as well as the adult pest.
If you have washed using warm water, leave the clothes and other items in the dryer for no less than 30 minutes at 125 degrees Fahrenheit. In this time, the heat is expected to have effectively killed the eggs and adult bed bugs.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs on your Mattress
If, as part of your inspection and decluttering, you have found bed bugs in your mattress, it is recommended that you expose it to heat for as long as you can. If you have a box spring mattress, remove the bottom lining to treat the internal area. You should also inspect your bed frame, headboard, and other furniture. Doing this will help you to identify more affected areas and ultimately rid your home of the infestation.
Wipe furniture and bed frame with cloth dipped in hot water to get rid of the eggs and adult bed bugs.
Vacuum Everywhere
After decluttering and cleaning the affected area, you should also vacuum the home to ensure that the adults and their eggs are removed from crevices as much as possible. However, if these steps are too much stress for you, hiring a bed bug exterminator may be the easier option.
