Googling how to get rid of bed bugs can mean one of two things; You either have bed bugs and need to do something about them, or you’re not sure if you have them and want to take precautions. Whatever the case, don’t worry: we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about bed bugs, from where they come from, how to tell if you have them, to how to get rid of them. Because knowing how to clean a mattress is just not enough.
Bed bugs are nothing to be ashamed of – it’s actually still a very common problem. The good news is that you can handle it yourself. These methods take time and commitment, but they work and get rid of those uninvited guests. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting rid of bed bugs.
What are bed bugs?
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Bed bugs, or Cimex lectularius, are tiny insects about 5mm in size that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are flat with an oval body and reddish brown in color. Because of their size, they’re difficult to see unless in large groups, and they like to hide in hidden spaces – although they’re most commonly found near the bed.
Bed bugs use blood to grow and reproduce, and with females laying up to 250 eggs in a lifetime, a small problem can quickly turn into an infestation. These parasites do not transmit diseases, but they do pose a health problem and therefore need to be treated quickly.
Where do bed bugs come from?
It’s actually a myth that bed bugs are attracted to dirty environments – barring more hiding spots, it won’t make any difference to these bugs. What they are actually attracted to is blood, warmth and carbon dioxide. This means that most bedrooms would be a suitable environment for these pests – even the best mattress is not immune. Once they find a suitable food source, bed bugs essentially hide near the area and wait for the next meal.
If you are wondering how the bed bugs got into your home, there are many possibilities. You may have brought them on used items like furniture or you could pick them up from places you’ve stayed that are infested such as. B. Hotel room. Guests may also unknowingly carry them inside. However, pets are unlikely to bring them as they do not live off the animals.
How can I tell if I have bed bugs?
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If you suspect bed bugs, you should investigate immediately – the sooner you catch them, the better. Left untreated, bed bugs can quickly multiply into a much more complex and costly infestation.
The first signs of bed bugs that will be familiar to most are bites. Once these parasites finish feeding, they can leave a small mark on your skin or even a rash. However, these bites cannot be distinguished from other common insect bites, and some people may not react at all. For this reason, you should not assume you have bed bugs based on bites alone.
You should look for physical evidence of bed bugs, which may include:
- Dark red stains on your sheets that could be crushed bed bugs and your blood!
- Yellow skins and eggshells can also be seen, although these are tiny (about 1mm long).
- Bed bug feces look like tiny black spots that are easy to spot on white sheets
- A musty odor may be present
- You can spot the bed bugs yourself – although they are small, they are not invisible to the eye
How to get rid of bed bugs
Both chemical and non-chemical treatments are available to get rid of bed bugs. We’ll show you what you can do yourself before hiring a professional exterminator.
1. First, take a look around your home determine the extent of the problem. Are the bed bugs contained in your bedroom or are there tracks under the sofa cushions? Popular areas to check include:
- The seams of the mattress
- In the seams of chairs or sofas, even under the cushions
- Under loose wallpaper
- In the joints of drawers or furniture
- Where the carpet meets the wall and where the wall meets the ceiling
- Around sockets
- Any cracks on the walls
2. Now that you know where the bed bugs are, you must prevent them from spreading further. Clear immediate trash from the room by sealing it in a plastic bag before throwing it away. If you want to remove items from the room, remember that you should seal it first as it could be infested.
3. Next, Vacuum up any immediate bed bugs with one of the best vacuum cleaners. Vacuum both sides of your mattress, as well as in your closet, dresser, and anywhere else you think may be infested. Don’t forget the carpet either!
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3. once you have done that empty and seal the contents of the vacuum container in a plastic bag and dispose of in an outdoor trash can. Keep in mind that vacuuming will not kill bed bugs, but will keep numbers down.
4. Now you want Wash and launder all infested laundry items in the hottest cycle allowed in your washer and dryer. This includes bedding, clothing, stuffed animals and upholstered furniture. If the item is not suitable for machine washing, you can also use steam, which is just as effective.
After reducing the number, it’s time to kill all unhatched and remaining bed bugs. There are a few methods you can try before resorting to chemicals. Not all will work depending on your circumstances, but all are worth considering.
Non-chemical methods of killing bed bugs
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1. Heat — High temperatures kill bed bugs. So if you can contain the infested contents, you can run them through the washer and dryer on high heat. You can also use a portable heating chamber for larger items, like the ZappBug Room Bed Bug Heater ($1,495, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Professionals can also heat treat homes if the problem is more severe.
2. Cold — Cold temperatures also kill bed bugs. Once again you must store the infested items in a sealed bag and this time use your freezer to kill them. Your freezer would need to be set to 0°F and the bag would need to sit for at least four days to be effective, so this isn’t the most convenient method.
3. Steam — As mentioned earlier, steam is a very effective way to kill bed bugs. Steam can penetrate deep into cracks and carpets, meaning it has a good reach. However, the temperature needs to be at least 130°F and you don’t want the airflow to be too strong or it can blow away bed bugs. Steamers can be used on many surfaces, including mattresses, sofas, and carpets, but be careful around electrical items like electrical outlets. If you don’t own a steam cleaner, we recommend the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner ($149.78, Amazon (opens in new tab))
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4. Mattress Cover — You can encase your mattress and box spring with a cover like the SureGuard Mattress Encasement ($54.97, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Bed bugs that are trapped eventually die and external insects cannot infest your mattress while the cover is on.
5. Bed Bug Traps – You can also buy special traps to catch stray bed bugs, like Harris Bed Bug Traps ($4.93, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Traps that sit under furniture legs are also popular, like Lights Out BedBug Pitfall Trap ($24.40, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
Chemical methods kill bed bugs
There are also many pesticides that you can buy and apply yourself if you feel comfortable. If you decide to do this, make sure you follow the instructions carefully. There are several chemical classes, but pyrethrins and pyrethroids are among the most commonly used compounds. Desiccants are very effective and will dry out the insects, which will eventually kill them.
Harris Bed Bug Killer ($20.35, Amazon (opens in new tab)) is a common liquid spray, but if you have kids or pets around, then EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer ($18.55, Amazon (opens in new tab)) may be the better option.
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You can also resort to insect bombs or foggers, but these are highly toxic to humans and animals and should be handled with extreme caution. You will have to leave your home during the procedure. Also, there is no guarantee that this would kill every bed bug as it does not enter cracks and crevices.
If you don’t want to use these methods yourself, you can always bring in a professional who handles the chemicals.
One final note on bed bugs
Keep in mind that bed bugs can take months to eradicate, so you’ll need to be both patient and persistent. Check the area every few days to look for other signs of bed bugs. It’s very difficult to catch every bug in an application, plus a new batch may hatch from the remaining eggs, so reapply your method and keep checking to see if there are any left. Do you have other pests to control? Check out how to get rid of moths.
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