How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs: Quick And Easy Guide
Nobody wants to share their bed with bed bugs. However, they are pretty common. Bed bugs have been a nuisance since Ancient Egypt and Greece. Even Aristotle mentions these tiny pests in his writing. These small, brown annoying bugs live off our blood and our pet’s blood. One of the main hardships, when it comes to how to get rid of bed bugs, is that they are pretty tough. Not only that but they seem to multiply by the second. However, while Aristotle probably didn’t have any information on how to fight them, we do! And the faster we manage to get rid of them the better. So, let’s take a dive and see what the best methods are.
These small, brown annoying bugs live off our blood
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Before we know how to fight them, we first need to get to know the enemy. While bed bugs tend to get mixed up with fleas, there are some signs that can help you determine if it is a bug. The first thing that can help you identify them is the color. They are brown and reddish. When it comes to their bodies, they are much wider and flatter in comparison to fleas. They are around the size of a pencil eraser which makes them super hard to spot.
Bed bugs are much wider and flatter in comparison to fleas
What Causes Bed Bugs?
You may think bed bugs love filth and that they thrive in dirty conditions, you’d be surprised to learn this isn’t really the truth. Bed bugs can live almost anywhere as long as they have access to their favorite food. Yep, you guessed it: blood. Since they don’t fly or jump, all they can do is climb or walk to the perfect spots. Then they wait out a yummy host comes around to latch onto. This means that if you love thrifting clothes and furniture, you may be carrying them into your home alongside the great piece you found. If you also sleep in a hotel or resort with bed bugs, they can hitch a ride on you. They are the hitchhikers of bugs.
Bed bugs can live almost anywhere as long as they have access to food
How To Check For Bed Bugs?
One of the main problems with bed bugs is how fast they multiply. A healthy, female bug can lay up to five hundred eggs. In a couple of weeks, your house can become flooded with bugs, and you can have a serious infestation on your hands. That is why it is important to identify the issue early on. Some tell-tale signs are tiny, black dropping on your bed, little blood stains, and what looks like skin shedding. If any bumps, bites, or welt seem to appear as if overnight on your body. A musty odor in the room and small, yellowish, pale eggs are all signs that mean you have bed bugs. If you are feeling unsure what the bugs may be, take them to a specialist.
In a couple of weeks, your house can become flooded with bugs
How To Get Rid Of Be Bugs Fast?
Okay, you’ve determined the problem is most certainly bed bugs, now what? It’s time to learn how to get rid of bed bugs once and forever. Don’t let pests like fruit flies and bed bugs plague you. Take action. Here are some methods that can help you rid yourself of these tiny pests.
Don’t let pests like fruit flies and bed bugs plague you
Find The Problem Area
If you fear you’ve got a case of the bed bugs, it’s best to find the issue area. It’s much cheaper and easier to treat a smaller problem area than a bigger one. Do the inspection ourselves or hire someone to do it. Check in the bed frame cracks, between the couch cushions, near the mattress tags, generally search in all the little crevices. Take a magnifying glass and a flashlight to help you out.
Use a flashlight and a magnifying glass to find them easier
Vacuum
You need to contain the infestation. One of the fastest ways to do this is by vacuuming the bugs away. Run with the vacuum over any place you think they may be hiding. Be thorough. The carpet, the bed, even in the wallpaper. After you have vacuumed everything, take the bag and throw it away. Just make sure to seal everything well and find a way to dispose of it.
Run with the vacuum over any place you think they may be hiding
Wash Everything
Take all the linens, bedding, curtains, cushion, and clothes you think may be infested with bed bugs. Put them in the washing machine, but make sure to use the highest possible setting depending on the material. If the material cannot be put in the washer, use the dryer and put it on for at least half an hour once again on the highest heat.
If the material cannot be put in the washer, use the dryer
Throw Away
Throw away anything that you cannot wash, vacuum or clean somehow. Use plastic bags and make sure to mark everything to let other people know it has bedbugs, so they do not try to take it. This may seem drastic, but it’s definitely one way to ensure they are out of your home.
Use plastic bags and make sure to mark everything
Chemical Treatments
For minor infestations, chemical treatments can be amazing. There are plenty of things you can use. Search for EPA-registered products, and it’s best to stick to products on which the label states they are for bed bugs. Pyrenthrins, biochemicals, pyrroles, desiccants, neonicotinoids, bug bombs, and other such products are safe to use at home and are very effective.
There are plenty of EPA-registered products
Temperature Treatment
This method is non-toxic and is great for larger infestations as well. By changing up the temperature in your home, you’ll be able to get rid of the bed bugs. However, it’s best to leave this treatment to the professionals. If you decide to do it yourself try out a portable heat chamber, they do the job quite well. You can also try the opposites and try a cold treatment. Leave the contaminated items in a freezer for at least four days. It needs to be around zero degrees. You try this on a massive scale if you manage to get the whole house to those degrees.
Do cold or warm temperature treatments
Steam
Use a steam cleaner, both dry and wet, to get into all the little cracks in the bed, carpets, and any other furniture that may be contaminated. Use steam at least 150 degrees F. However, keep in mind the airflow shouldn’t be too forceful as it will scatter the bugs causing more trouble. This method is good for a smaller scale infestations.
Use a steam cleaner, both dry and wet well
Exterminators
Well, the surest way to rid yourself of bed bugs is to call in the professionals. Exterminators know how to do their job better than me, and you will ever know. So, if you feel like you cannot take the situation under control, search for some good professionals in the area.
Exterminators know how to do their job well
Preventing Bed Bugs
There are some general tips and tricks you can follow in order to prevent any future bed bug infestations. This includes getting rid of clutter, such as magazines and clothes lying around. Pick them off the ground, wash them or toss them. Vacuum regularly including the mattress. You can also use caulk to help seal any cracks the bugs may get through. Make sure to wash your suitcases and clothes after coming home from vacation. In order to prevent any spreading, you can use interceptor devices.
Get rid of clutter, such as magazines and clothes lying around
These were all the ways on how to get rid of bed bugs. Getting rid of pests, no matter if they are gnats, fleas, or bed bugs is very important. You don’t want them to take over your life. We hope you found this article helpful and managed to achieve a big free space.
You don’t want them to take over your life
