Homekitchenmagazine.com | How to get rid of bed bugs is a question that many people dread to ask. Bed bugs are tiny, blood-sucking insects that can infest your home and cause a lot of discomfort and stress. They can hide in mattresses, furniture, carpets, clothing, and even electronics, and can be very hard to eliminate once they establish a colony.
If you suspect that you have bed bugs, don’t panic. There are effective ways to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back. In this article, we will show you how to identify bed bugs, how to treat them, and how to prevent future infestations. By following these steps, you can get rid of bed bugs fast and forever.
Bed bugs are small insects that live to suck blood. Generally, these animals hide in bed, go out at night and bite and suck a person’s blood while sleeping.
Its small form makes the presence of bed bugs often unnoticed. When a person is bitten by bed bugs, redness of the skin will appear accompanied by itching or burning. In a person who has just been bitten by bed bugs, it is usually not immediately felt. And it took days for the itch to appear.
Although small, the presence of bed bugs can still be detected in bed. It can be known when there are traces of blood on the bed, black stains from the dirt of bed bugs, musty smell.
How To Identify Bed Bugs
The first step to getting rid of bed bugs is to confirm that you have them. Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped, brownish insects that are about the size of an apple seed. They have flat bodies that swell after feeding, and they can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings.
Some signs that you have bed bugs are:
- Red, itchy bites on your skin, usually in a zigzag or linear pattern
- Blood stains on your sheets, pillowcases, or mattress
- Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on your bedding, furniture, or walls
- A musty odor from the bed bugs’ scent glands
- Live or dead bed bugs, eggs, or skins in your bed or nearby areas
To confirm that you have bed bugs, you can use a flashlight and a magnifying glass to inspect your bed and surrounding areas. You can also use a sticky tape or a lint roller to capture some of the bugs or their debris. Alternatively, you can hire a professional pest control company to inspect your home and identify the bed bugs.
You can also check this article to learn how to identify bed bug bites—and how to treat them.
How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Once you have confirmed that you have bed bugs, you need to act quickly to get rid of them. Bed bugs can multiply rapidly and spread to other rooms or even other homes. They can also develop resistance to some pesticides, making them harder to kill.
There are two main methods to treat bed bugs: chemical and non-chemical. Both methods have their pros and cons, and you may need to combine them for the best results.
Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatment involves using pesticides or insecticides to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. You can buy some of these products over the counter, or you can hire a professional exterminator to apply them for you. Some of the common chemicals used to treat bed bugs are:
- Pyrethrins and pyrethroids: These are natural or synthetic compounds that affect the nervous system of the bed bugs. They are fast-acting and widely available, but some bed bugs have developed resistance to them.
- Neonicotinoids: These are synthetic compounds that also affect the nervous system of the bed bugs. They are more effective against resistant bed bugs, but they are more toxic to humans and pets.
- Desiccants: These are substances that dry out the bed bugs and their eggs by destroying their protective coating. They include diatomaceous earth, silica gel, and boric acid. They are long-lasting and low-risk, but they can take several weeks to work and can be harmful if inhaled.
- Biochemicals: These are substances derived from natural sources that kill or repel the bed bugs. They include cold-pressed neem oil, which is a plant extract that disrupts the reproduction and feeding of the bed bugs. They are environmentally friendly and low-toxicity, but they are not widely available and may not be very effective.
When using chemical treatment, you need to follow these steps:
- Read and follow the label instructions carefully. Use the appropriate amount and frequency of the product, and wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and masks.
- Treat all the areas where the bed bugs are hiding, such as cracks, crevices, seams, folds, and edges. Use a spray, dust, or aerosol applicator to reach these places.
- Dispose of any items that are heavily infested or cannot be treated, such as mattresses, pillows, or clothing. Seal them in plastic bags and label them as bed bug infested before throwing them away.
- Vacuum your bed and surrounding areas thoroughly and frequently.
- Wash and dry your bedding, clothing, and other washable items at the highest temperature possible. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may be on them.
- Repeat the treatment as needed until you see no signs of bed bugs for at least two weeks.
Non-Chemical Treatment
Non-chemical treatment involves using physical or mechanical methods to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. These methods are safer and more eco-friendly than chemical methods, but they may not be as effective or convenient.
Some of the non-chemical methods to treat bed bugs are:
Heat treatment
This involves using high temperatures to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. You can use a clothes dryer, a steamer, or a portable heater to apply heat to your bed and surrounding areas. You can also hire a professional heat treatment service to treat your entire home. The temperature must be at least 120°F (49°C) for at least 20 minutes to be effective.
Cold treatment
This involves using low temperatures to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. You can use a freezer, an air conditioner, or dry ice to apply cold to your bed and surrounding areas. You can also hire a professional cold treatment service to treat your entire home. The temperature must be below 0°F (-18°C) for at least four days to be effective.
Encasement
This involves using a special cover to seal your mattress, box spring, or pillow and prevent the bed bugs from escaping or entering. The cover must be bed bug proof, meaning that it has no holes, tears, or seams that the bed bugs can exploit. You must keep the cover on for at least a year to ensure that all the bed bugs and eggs inside are dead.
Traps and monitors
These are devices that capture or detect the bed bugs and their activity. They include sticky traps, interceptors, and CO2 traps. They can help you confirm the presence and location of the bed bugs, but they cannot eliminate them by themselves. You must use them in conjunction with other treatment methods.
When using non-chemical treatment, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose the method that suits your situation and budget. Consider the size, location, and severity of the infestation, as well as the availability and cost of the equipment or service.
- Apply the method to all the areas where the bed bugs are hiding, such as cracks, crevices, seams, folds, and edges. Make sure that the temperature or the seal is consistent and sufficient to kill the bed bugs and their eggs.
- Dispose of any items that are heavily infested or cannot be treated, such as mattresses, pillows, or clothing. Seal them in plastic bags and label them as bed bug infested before throwing them away.
- Vacuum your bed and surrounding areas thoroughly and frequently.
- Wash and dry your bedding, clothing, and other washable items at the highest temperature possible. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may be on them.
- Repeat the method as needed until you see no signs of bed bugs for at least two weeks.
Diligently Cleaning The House
The next way How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs is diligently cleaning the house. Often sounds boring, cleaning the house regularly is the key so that this animal does not feel at home. Take advantage of a vacuum cleaner to clean your home and existing furniture. This tool has the advantage of sucking dirt that is invisible to the eye, including bed bugs.
The animal is very comfortable on the surface of dirty, damp, and rarely cleaned objects. Due to its small shape, it will be very difficult to eradicate this animal if it only sweeps the house as usual. For information, the growth of bed bugs is increasing rapidly entering the dry season so there is no harm in increasing the frequency of cleaning your home.
Drying Mattress
Simple but quite influential thing on the cleanliness of the mattress is to dry it. Dry mattresses, pillows, bolsters and blankets in direct sunlight. Before drying, it is best to move the items in the room so that the dust and mites do not spread elsewhere during the drying process.
Wash with Hot Water
The next way How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs is wash your matress with hot water. Mix hot water with anti-bacterial soap, then clean the mattress, pillow and bolster. Dry in direct sunlight.
Evaporation
You can use an electric kettle, then add a small hose and steam it along the seams of the mattress. Also clean it between the mattress and the bed. Try all angles to get hot steam.
Mixture of Kerosene and Camphor
Who says there are no natural ingredients that can be used. You can rely on kerosene and camphor to make your home, especially beds, free of these annoying insects.
Simply mix both ingredients, then put them in an atomizer bottle. Once mixed, spray all over the place if it becomes a nest of bed bugs such as mattresses, sofas, carpets, and so on. In addition to the ingredients that are easy to get, this way is also proven to be effective.
How To Prevent Bed Bugs
The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to prevent them from infesting your home in the first place. Bed bugs can hitchhike on your luggage, clothing, furniture, or other items that you bring into your home from infested places. They can also travel through walls, pipes, or wires from neighboring homes or apartments.
To prevent bed bugs, you need to follow these steps:
- Inspect your home regularly for signs of bed bugs, such as bites, stains, spots, or bugs. Use a flashlight and a magnifying glass to check your bed and surrounding areas, especially after traveling or receiving guests.
- Avoid bringing home items that may be infested with bed bugs, such as secondhand furniture, clothing, or bedding. If you do, inspect them carefully and treat them if necessary before bringing them into your home.
- Protect your bed and furniture with bed bug proof encasements, covers, or liners. This will prevent the bed bugs from hiding or feeding on them.
- Reduce the clutter in your home and eliminate the hiding places for the bed bugs. Store your items in sealed plastic containers or bags, and dispose of any unnecessary or infested items.
- Seal any cracks, crevices, holes, or gaps in your walls, floors, ceilings, or furniture. This will prevent the bed bugs from entering or escaping your home.
- Use traps and monitors to detect and capture any bed bugs that may enter your home. Check them regularly and replace them as needed.
- Educate yourself and others about bed bugs and how to prevent them. Learn how to identify, treat, and avoid them, and share this information with your family, friends, neighbors, and landlords.
If you have other pest problems in your house, such as ants, you can also check this article: “16 Effective Ways How to Get Rid of Ants in The House Easily“
FAQ
How do I know if I have bed bugs?
The most common sign of bed bugs is red, itchy bites on your skin, usually in a zigzag or linear pattern.
However, not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, and some people may confuse them with other insect bites or skin conditions. The best way to confirm that you have bed bugs is to find them or their evidence.
How do I get rid of bed bugs naturally?
There are some natural or home remedies that may help you get rid of bed bugs, such as:
– Applying rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, lavender oil, or other essential oils to the affected areas or spraying them on your bed and furniture. These substances may kill or repel some of the bed bugs, but they are not very effective or reliable.
– Sprinkling baking soda, salt, or cayenne pepper on your bed and furniture. These substances may dehydrate or irritate some of the bed bugs, but they are also not very effective or reliable.
– Vacuuming your bed and surrounding areas regularly and disposing of the vacuum bag or container in a sealed plastic bag outside your home. This may help you remove some of the bed bugs and their eggs, but it may not reach all the hidden places where they hide.
– Washing and drying your bedding, clothing, and other washable items at the highest temperature possible. This may help you kill some of the bed bugs and their eggs, but it may not be enough to eliminate them completely.
While these natural or home remedies may provide some relief or temporary results, they are not recommended as the sole or primary method to get rid of bed bugs.
You should always use them in conjunction with other proven methods, such as chemical or non-chemical treatment, or seek professional help if the infestation is severe or persistent.
How do I prevent bed bugs from biting me?
The best way to prevent bed bugs from biting you is to get rid of them from your home. However, if you are still dealing with an active infestation or are staying in a place that may have bed bugs, you can take some measures to protect yourself from their bites, such as:
– Wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks, and shoes when you sleep or rest. This may reduce the exposed skin areas that the bed bugs can bite.
– Applying insect repellent to your skin or clothing. This may deter some of the bed bugs from approaching you, but it may not be very effective or safe for long-term use.
– Covering your bed with a bed bug proof encasement, cover, or liner. This may prevent the bed bugs from hiding or feeding on your mattress, box spring, or pillow.
– Using traps and monitors to capture or detect any bed bugs that may try to reach your bed. This may help you reduce the number of bed bugs that can bite you, but it may not eliminate them completely.
These measures may help you prevent or reduce the bed bug bites, but they are not foolproof or guaranteed.
You should always check your bed and surrounding areas for signs of bed bugs before you sleep or rest, and treat any bites that you may have with antiseptic cream, antihistamine, or other medication as needed.
Bottom Line
Bed bugs are a nuisance and a health hazard that can infest your home and cause a lot of problems. They can be hard to detect and even harder to get rid of, but they are not impossible to eliminate. By following the steps in this article, you can learn how to identify, treat, and prevent bed bugs, and get rid of them fast and forever.
