How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have been an increasing nuisance for numerous families and households in Australia. Increased awareness and active efforts from householders although has made it possible to stop the infestation in its early stages. If the infestation is in its initial stage then it can be controlled using natural and DIY remedies. If it has been there for a while, these techniques and remedies may not be useful.

Further, infestations have become challenging to control owing to the growing resistance of these bugs to insecticides and pesticides. Calling a professional pest controller becomes the only solution for eliminating a bigger bed bug infestation. Discussed ahead in this blog, are remedies to get rid of bed bugs which may be useful for the readers:

How do bed bugs look like?

Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects with a reddish-brown body. Active adults are the size of an apple seed. The immature ones are smaller than the adult bugs. Their small size helps them squeeze inside cracks, crevices and openings in walls, bed frames, mattresses, upholstery, joints of the bed etc.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

1. Clear the bed

• Remove the sheets and place them directly in a plastic bag. Doing this will prevent the bed bugs from spreading elsewhere.
• Further, you need to wash the bedding in hot water for 30 minutes at high temperature. Also follow the same process for pillow cases, covers, comforters, curtains, upholstery coverings and mattress pads. Using the highest possible settings permissible by the manufacturer is important for best results. Proceed to dry these things out also for the same duration of 30 minutes.
• After you place the bed sheets in the washer, lock and throw away the inner plastic bag.
• Vacuum the bed and the mattress. This will eliminate live bed bugs and their eggs. Put the bed bug debris from the vacuum cleaner’s bag in a plastic bag that can be shut off and discard the whole the thing in the trashcan.
• Spray bed bug-specific pesticide on the bed frame.

2. Steam or heat treatment

• Introducing the bed bugs to temperatures higher than 45 degrees Celsius can kill them. Repeating this process for the duration of an hour can kill bed bugs in any stage.
• Rented steam cleaning machines also can be used for eliminating bed bugs. On the other hand, steam may not be able to penetrate into the cracks, crevices and inconvenient places that still hide bed bugs. For that calling in professional pest controllers will provide longer term results and relief from these pests.

Prevention tips:

Here are some tips to follow to prevent a bed bug infestation again in future after professional treatment:

• Inspect your bedroom and property well. Seal any possible gaps and holes existing in walls, baseboards, and light sockets with plastic or caulk.
• Make sure to inspect a hotel room thoroughly before settling in. Examine the headboard, baseboards nightstand, lamps, paintings, loose wallpaper, areas behind the bed and other items in and around the bed. Request a room change and have that room inspected as well if you discover bed bugs or their eggs in the room.
• If you suspected a bed bug infestation make sure to check all the luggage, suitcases and bags properly before getting inside your home on your return.
• Pest control experts also suggest having your bed a few inches away from the wall which will make it difficult for bed bugs to lay eggs behind the wallpaper or in the walls.
• The presence of clutter also makes it easy for bed bugs to get spaces for hiding and shelter. A home that has less clutter will give the bed bugs fewer spots to live in.
• Use high quality mattress sealable encasements that will trap the bed bugs and prevent them from coming out for feeding. The bed bugs will eventually die once they are unable to escape or move.
• If you reside in an apartment block, then installing door sweeps may be helpful in limiting the movement of bed bugs outside the house.

Avoid doing this if you have bed bugs

In event of a bed bug infestation, it is important not to panic. Here are some important things to avoid doing:

• Bed bugs can be extremely irritating and worrying. However, they do not spread any diseases. So do not get scared.
• Do not get in second-hand furniture or bedding, sheets, electronic items, clothing etc. Check them properly for bed bugs and their eggs, if you have to absolutely use second-hand furniture.
• Avoid using random pesticides as they are ineffective, dangerous and may only worsen the issue. The infestation may end up spreading to the remaining parts of the house or apartment.
• Also do not use rubbing alcohol, gasoline or kerosene for treating the infestation.
• Avoid leaving papers, magazines, clothing, and other belongings on the floor, and clean the bedside tables and dressers frequently.
• Never use black plastic bags to put your belongings in for showing the sun as the rays may not be able to penetrate inside as powerfully.
• Throwing off your furniture is not going to help as bed bugs can simply move into the nearby cracks in holes nearby before entering your new furniture. This can prove extremely expensive and useless.
• If you are disposing off infested items and belongings, do not simply leave them on the curb. Mark out the boxes clearly that the items are unusable because of bed bugs.

Bed bugs are an invasive pest for residence-owners and householders. This pest can easily spoil one’s peaceful sleep. When you have a bed bug infestation, you should definitely opt for professional pest control services. Bed bug infestations can multiply rapidly and are also difficult to get rid of. Hence leaving their infestation in an untreated condition can be very risky.

A pest control professional will examine your home and assess the level of the infestation. Based on these findings and the habits, activity, and behaviour of these pests, the pest control professionals devise a tailored bed bug treatment plan to get rid of the infestation.