Bed bugs are some of the most difficult pests to get rid of because of their size and number. If you’re wondering how to get rid of bed bugs, below are the things that you need to know.
Be warned though that these insects have the tendency to spread beyond the bed and throughout the room. This makes stopping the infestation a bit difficult.
Start at The Source
Let’s start at the root of the problem – the bed. Begin by removing the sheets and putting it in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the bugs from further spreading.
After this, dismantle your bed frame to ensure you can reach even the deepest cracks and corners. If your frame is made of wood or fabric, pay even closer attention since bed bugs are usually more prevalent in those.
Wash Your Linens
Collect everything that has been on your bed – sheets, pillow cases, clothes, stuffed toys, etc. – and put them all in the washing machine and use the hot water setting.
After that, put them in the dryer and use high heat. If you have a steamer, use that too on all the items. The heat and steam will kill the bed bugs.
For items that can’t be thrown inside the washing machine, like bags or shoes, you can place them inside a sealed plastic bag and leave them in a hot location.
Do this for at least a few days. Take note that the temperature should be at least 50 degrees for this method to work.
Aside from this, you can also put the plastic bag in the freezer for at least two weeks to kill the bugs.
Deep-Clean The Mattress
You can cover your mattress with a bed bug proof cover to trap the bed bugs inside. Without access to food, they will starve inside and die. Leave that cover on for at least a couple of days.
After that, deep-clean your mattress by massaging it with a whole box of baking soda mixed with tea tree oil.
Leave this mixture for at least 2 hours then vacuum off the remaining powder. Make sure to vacuum every area of the mattress to get rid of all the dead bugs and eggs.
If possible, bring your mattress outside and soak it under the sun for at least half a day to further disinfect it.
Vacuum Everything
Get rid of the bugs and eggs by vacuuming your mattress, carpets, and rugs. Make sure you don’t miss the cracks, crevices, edges, and other hard to reach areas, since these are where most bed bugs hide.
Most vacuums come with a crevice tool. Use this to reach the smallest areas and make the suction as strong as possible.
Remember, you need to get rid of the infestation completely. If you miss one part, the infestation will just return in a matter of days.
Make sure to throw away the vacuum bag after you do this to keep the bugs and eggs from returning.
Insecticides
There are different types of insecticides available in the market. Make sure to choose one that is safe, legal, and registered.
Don’t forget to read and follow the labels and instructions carefully to ensure your safety and the effectiveness of the product.
When applying these, make sure again not to miss a spot. Pay special attention to deep crevices as these may be where the eggs are hatched.
Since bed bugs are known for its ability to develop resistance to various pesticides, there is no absolute guarantee that it would work right away.
If the infestation persists or returns after a few weeks, repeat the process or choose a different type of insecticide.
Silica Gel
Silica gels are small crystals that will get attached to the bugs and dehydrate them to death. You can put this on your mattress seams and along the walls of your room.
Keep doing this for at least a month or until the infestation completely stops. You may also choose to leave the gels even after the bed bugs disappear just to be sure.
I hope these steps were able to help you in understanding how to get rid of bed bugs. Did you like my article? Let me know what you think below and please share this article to your friends.