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Bedbugs are hardy, unpleasant bugs that can spread rapidly from bedding, pillows and mattresses to carpets, upholstery, and curtains, even the clothing in your wardrobes and drawers. They live and breed in the cracks in your skirting boards, the crevices in your bed, in your power sockets and underneath your carpets quite happily for several months whilst they breed.
Getting rid of bed bugs using a DIY approach is not easy and therefore you should be prepared to repeat the processes we recommend below several times if you’re to be certain the bedbugs and their eggs have gone – down to the last egg. If any insect or egg is missed the bed bugs will return within weeks and may actually spread further within the property or building.
The success of a DIY approach will to a large extent depend on the extent of the bedbug infestation in your home; how early into the infestation you notice bedbugs and how many rooms they have spread to. It is sometimes possible to eradicate an infestation using a DIY approach at the early stages of the infestation if you are very thorough.
If you have noticed bedbugs in other rooms or they’re prolific in one bedroom (you notice them in many different places in the room) it is advisable to talk to a bed bug pest control company with experience and expertise in eradicating widespread bedbug infestations using professional grade treatments. This is because you are likely to be fighting a losing battle with the bedbugs.
Before diving into how to get rid of bed bugs permanently, it’s crucial to confirm that bed bugs are actually the problem. These pests leave several signs that you can spot if you know what to look for.
Small rust-coloured stains on your mattress or sheets are often the first clue – these are either crushed bed bugs or their droppings. You might also notice tiny cream-coloured eggs or shed skins in the seams of your mattress or furniture.
One of the most obvious signs is waking up with small, itchy bites on your skin, often appearing in lines or clusters. These bites typically occur on exposed areas of skin while sleeping.
Another common indicator is a sweet, musty odour in your room – this distinctive smell comes from the bed bugs’ scent glands. If you’re still unsure whether bed bugs are the culprit, checking your mattress seams with a torch at night might reveal the bugs themselves, as they’re most active during these hours.
Once you’ve confirmed you have bed bugs, your first step is damage control. Think of it like containing a water leak – you need to stop it from spreading before you can fix the problem. The key to preventing an infestation from worsening lies in quick, decisive action and proper isolation techniques.
Start by isolating infected items. Place special bed bug-proof covers on your mattress and box spring to trap any bugs inside. These encasements are crucial as they prevent bed bugs from escaping and finding new hiding spots. They also make it easier to spot new bugs trying to reach you while sleeping.
Don’t make the common mistake of moving furniture or belongings to other rooms – this could spread the infestation throughout your home. Instead, keep everything in place until you’re ready to treat them properly. You’ll want to learn how to get rid of bed bugs in clothes safely, which we’ll cover shortly.
Create a safe sleeping space by pulling your bed away from walls and ensuring no bedding touches the floor. This creates a barrier that makes it harder for bed bugs to climb up onto your bed. You might also consider placing bed bug interceptor cups under your bed legs – these simple devices trap bed bugs trying to climb up or down.
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Tackling a bed bug problem requires a systematic approach. Let’s break down how to get rid of bed bugs in different areas of your home:
Mattresses and Bedding: First up is learning how to get rid of bed bugs in mattress areas. Start with a thorough vacuum of both sides of your mattress, paying extra attention to seams, buttons, and any piping. The vacuum needs to go over each area multiple times to ensure you’re catching as many bugs as possible. After vacuuming, use a stiff brush to scrub the mattress surface, which helps dislodge eggs and bugs you might have missed.
Once you’ve completed the initial cleaning, apply an appropriate bed bug spray designed specifically for mattresses. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and allow the mattress to dry completely before making the bed. Consider using a mattress encasement as your final step – this will prevent any surviving bugs from escaping and stop new ones from infesting your mattress.
Clothes and Fabrics: Understanding how to get rid of bed bugs in clothes is crucial. Here’s your action plan:
Furniture and Room Treatment: For other areas of your room:
If you’re wondering how to get rid of bed bugs naturally, there are several home remedies you can try, though they should be part of a larger treatment plan. Diatomaceous earth is often recommended as a natural treatment. This fine powder works by damaging the bed bugs’ protective outer shell, eventually causing them to dehydrate and die. When using diatomaceous earth, sprinkle it around affected areas, particularly along baseboards and under furniture.
Steam cleaning is another effective natural method, as bed bugs can’t survive temperatures above 48°C. A steam cleaner can be particularly useful for treating mattresses, upholstered furniture, and carpets. The steam penetrates deep into fabrics and crevices, killing both bugs and eggs. However, it’s important to move slowly with the steamer to ensure the heat penetrates thoroughly.
Essential oils like lavender or tea tree have shown some promise in repelling bed bugs, though their effectiveness can vary. These can be diluted and sprayed around potential entry points or added to your laundry when washing infected items.
Baking soda has been suggested to help by dehydrating the bugs. It reportedly works more slowly than diatomaceous earth, although this is not scientifically backed and has been stated that it is very limited in its performance, especially against larger infestations.
Regular vacuum cleaning is crucial during any treatment process. The suction can remove bugs, eggs, and shed skins from your home. Always remember to dispose of the vacuum contents in sealed bags outside your home immediately after use.
Another method for how to get rid of bed bugs naturally is using extreme cold. While bed bugs can survive cool temperatures, they cannot withstand prolonged exposure to freezing conditions. However, it’s important to note that your regular household freezer might not be the quick fix you’re hoping for.
To effectively kill bed bugs through freezing, items need to be exposed to temperatures of at least -18°C (0°F) for a minimum of four days. This extended time frame is necessary because bed bugs have the ability to enter a semi-hibernation state, which can help them survive shorter periods of cold exposure.
For this method to work effectively:
This method works well for items that can’t be washed or heated, such as delicate clothes, small ornaments, or books. However, it’s not practical for larger items like mattresses or furniture. Also, be cautious with items that might be damaged by freezing, such as electronics or items containing liquid.
While it might be tempting to throw everything away, this isn’t usually necessary and can be quite wasteful. Most items can be treated effectively with the right approach. However, if furniture is severely infested or damaged, disposal might be your best option.
Before deciding to dispose of any items, consider whether they can be successfully treated. Solid wood furniture, for instance, can usually be saved with proper treatment, while heavily infested soft furnishings might be more challenging to treat effectively.
If you do decide to dispose of items, take responsible precautions. Clearly mark them as infected with bed bugs and make them unusable to prevent others from taking them home. This might mean slashing mattresses or breaking furniture – while this might seem destructive, it’s important to prevent the spread of bed bugs to others.
Professional pest control should be considered early in your bed bug battle, especially for significant infestations. While DIY methods can be effective for small problems, professional exterminators bring several advantages to the table that can make the difference between success and failure.
Bed bug control experts have access to professional-grade pesticides that aren’t available to the general public. These treatments are often more effective and longer-lasting than over-the-counter options. They also have specialised equipment for detecting and treating bed bugs in hard-to-reach places.
One of the most effective professional treatments is heat treatment. This method involves heating entire rooms to temperatures that are lethal to bed bugs and their eggs. The heat can penetrate deep into furniture and wall cavities, reaching bugs in places that chemical treatments might miss. While this method is highly effective, it requires professional equipment and expertise to ensure all areas reach the necessary temperature without damaging your belongings.
Professional exterminators also bring valuable experience and knowledge. They can identify all potential hiding spots and determine the full extent of an infestation. They’ll also develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific situation, often including follow-up visits to ensure the problem is fully resolved.
While professional services might seem expensive initially, they often provide the most reliable way to get rid of bed bugs permanently. When you factor in the cost of failed DIY attempts and the potential for the infestation to spread, professional treatment can actually be more cost-effective in the long run.
For commercial properties like hotels, care homes, or apartment buildings, a professional monitoring service can be invaluable. These services use various detection methods, and regular inspections, to catch infestations early. While this might seem like an unnecessary expense for residential properties, it’s becoming increasingly popular in settings where early detection is crucial.
Professional monitoring services typically include:
Remember, bed bugs are persistent pests that require ongoing vigilance to prevent. By implementing these prevention strategies and staying alert to the signs of bed bugs, you can significantly reduce your risk of future infestations. The cost and effort of prevention are always less than dealing with an established infestation, so make these practices part of your regular home maintenance routine.
Getting rid of bed bugs might feel like an overwhelming task, but with the right approach and dedication, you can successfully eliminate these persistent pests from your home. Remember that early intervention is key – the sooner you act on identifying signs of bed bugs, the easier they’ll be to control and eliminate.
Whether you choose to tackle the problem yourself using natural remedies and DIY treatments, or opt for professional pest control services, consistency is crucial. Follow through with every step of your chosen treatment plan, and don’t cut corners – these resilient insects are experts at surviving partial treatments.
Keep in mind that even after successfully eliminating bed bugs, maintaining vigilance is essential. Continue regular inspections of your home, especially after travelling or bringing second-hand furniture into your space. By staying proactive and implementing the prevention strategies we’ve discussed, you can protect your home from future infestations.
