You may have considered your bedroom as your sanctuary since it is where you can relax and be at peace. That is why it can be a problem when you find out that bed bugs are lurking in it. These tiny little creatures can crawl quickly over furniture and walls to get to your bed, biting you as you sleep. They may also transmit various bacteria and viruses while they feed and can reproduce quickly too!
In this article, you will be guided on how to deal with your bed bug problems. Here are some things you need to know about bed bugs and how to get rid of them from your home:
How to Spot Bed Bugs?
An essential part of bed bug removal is finding where these little parasites congregate and then getting rid of them. Doing this can be daunting since they’re not only tiny, but they’re good at hiding too! They can hide on clothing, used beds, luggage, and other items. Thankfully, they leave signs that are very easy to detect. Here are some of them:
Bites
When you find red and itchy welts in small clusters or zigzag bite formations on your skin, this can be a sign of a bed bug infestation. Try not to scratch them to avoid bleeding and infection.
Spots on Bed
Other than bites on your skin, bed bugs leave small bloodstains when they feed. These rust-colored stains can be found on sheets and pillowcases. Keep in mind to also look out for dark spots or small, brown, and oval-shaped skin. Since bed bugs shed skin multiple times, this can leave visible spots on bedding and mattresses.
Eggs
Bed bug eggs are roughly 1mm in length. But compared to live bed bugs, their eggs can be spotted more easily. You may check the edges of the mattress, bed frame, or box frame if you want to see if there’s an infestation.
Distinct Smell
Another clear sign indicating bed bugs is lurking in your bed or anywhere in your home is their distinct smell. These bloodsuckers release a stinky, musty odor that is quite similar to wet towels. In case there aren’t any wet towels in a room, but you notice something that smells like them, it could mean there’s already an infestation.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
When an infestation has taken place, it’s crucial to prevent it immediately. It’s a good thing there are natural methods of getting rid of bed bugs. Here are some of them:
Stripping the Bed
To prevent bed bugs from spreading, remove the beddings immediately and place them in a double plastic bag. And then, wash the bed linens for 30 minutes in hot water, and dry the sheets at a high temperature. Make sure to seal and discard the double plastic bag after washing the beddings.
Remove any bed bugs and eggs using a vacuum cleaner afterward. Remember to keep its contents in a plastic bag before disposing of it. Spray the bed frame with pesticide to make sure it will be free of bugs.
Using Traps
To isolate the bed and prevent bugs from further infesting it, use moat-style traps. Place them under each bedpost. Make sure to create a wide gap between your bed and the wall to prevent the bugs from climbing up on your mattress.
Exposing Them to Heat
When bed bugs are exposed to high temperatures, they die. But this doesn’t mean you should heat your room for bed bugs to crawl out and find cooler areas of the house. Instead, wash fabrics and other affected clothing with hot water. Make sure that the temperature is over 113° F, so the bugs are killed quickly.
Storing Them in the Freezer
Aside from heat, bed bugs also die in temperatures below 0° F. For this method, seal the bugs in a container and store it in the freezer. It takes about four days for the cold to penetrate and kill the bugs and eggs.
Get in Touch With a Pest Control Company!
Bed bug infestation is a real problem. In case any of the methods listed above are ineffective, reaching out to an expert is the best course of action. Pest control companies are more knowledgeable about bed bug removal, and they can tell which treatment can help. Reach out to a certified pest controller today to find out more!
