Bed bugs can be a nightmare for homeowners. These parasitic pests feed on human blood and hide in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and other areas. Getting rid of bed bugs requires diligence, hard work, and the safe use of pesticides.
Follow these essential steps to eliminate a bed bug infestation and prevent future problems. With persistence and prevention, you can make bed bugs a thing of the past in your home.
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Inspect and Detect Hidden Bed Bugs
Carefully inspect your bedroom and other areas where you suspect bed bugs. The pests are small and adept at hiding in cracks, crevices, seams of mattresses, and folds of bed sheets.
Look along mattress seams and the folded corners of sheets for small dark spots that may be bed bug droppings. You may also notice light brown discarded skins and shells from bed bugs as they molt and grow.
Bed bugs often hide in baseboards, picture frames, light switch plates, furniture, and clutter near the bed. Inspect these areas thoroughly using a flashlight. Concentrate on cracks and gaps where the pests may hide.
If you find any evidence of bed bugs through visual inspection, the next step is confirming you are dealing with this pest. Catch a sample bug or two for identification. Place clear packing tape over areas where you see the bugs, then fold over the tape and seal it in a zip-top plastic bag. Get the sample identified by a professional exterminator or extension office.
Dismantle the Bed and Bed Frame
A bed bug inspection requires a thorough tear-down of the bed and frame. Start by standing the mattress upright and examining all sides, seams, and labels. Remove and inspect the mattress box spring in the same manner.
Use a screwdriver to disassemble the bed frame and headboard. Inspect screw holes and joints in the frame where bed bugs often hide. Pay particular attention to areas where the frame sections join together.
After a complete inspection, reassemble the bed and determine if you need to replace any components. Typically, the mattress and box spring must be discarded or sealed in a bed bug-proof encasement for bed bug treatment to work. The frame can usually be treated and salvaged.
Apply Targeted Chemical Treatments
Once you confirm bed bugs in your home, contact a professional pest control company. DIY chemical treatments are not recommended since they can make problems worse if misapplied. Professionals have the training and restricted products needed to eliminate bed bugs.
A thorough chemical treatment targets bed bugs where they hide. An exterminator will apply targeted pesticide sprays or dusts into cracks, crevices, baseboards, electrical outlets, and any voids where the pests may hide. Treatments are applied to box springs, bed frames, furniture, carpets, and other infested areas.
Follow all preparation instructions from your pest control technician before service. This may involve cleaning carpets, bagging items, removing outlet covers, and more. Allow plenty of time for chemical treatments to dry before remaking beds or placing furniture back in treated rooms.
Use Heat Treatments for Whole-Room Bed Bug Eradication
Heat treatments are another effective bed bug elimination method. Professionals use powerful heater units to raise room temperatures to approximately 135°F. Sustained extreme heat kills all bed bug life stages and eggs.
The major advantage of heat is it treats the entire room, including challenging areas like inside walls and electrical outlets. Because heat penetrates everywhere, it eliminates bed bugs that chemical sprays may miss.
Heat treatment equipment ranges from small electric heaters to truck-mounted combustion heaters. Most treatments take 4 to 6 hours to bring rooms to lethal temperatures. Expect an additional 4 to 6 hours for monitored cooling before re-entry.
Take Prevention Measures
Stopping bed bugs from coming back involves diligent prevention. Once a home is bed bug-free, there are steps you can take to keep it that way:
- Cover mattresses and box springs with bed bug-proof encasements. Zippered encasements trap bugs and make it harder for them to spread.
- Inspect secondhand furniture carefully before moving it in, especially beds and upholstered items. Never accept discarded furniture from the curbside.
- Reduce clutter and keep rooms minimalist, especially around beds. Clutter provides more hiding spots for pests.
- Seal cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide with caulk. Pay special attention to baseboards, bed frames, and joints.
- Vacuum frequently using a crevice tool and look for signs of re-infestation. Catching bed bugs early makes them easier to eliminate.
Read also: What Attracts Bed Bugs?
So, Is Getting Rid of Bed Bugs for Good Possible?
Eliminating bed bugs completely is challenging but very possible with persistence and the right professional help. No single method will work — you need a combination of thorough inspection, targeted treatments, and ongoing prevention. But with diligence and the safe use of effective products, you can successfully get rid of bed bugs.
At the end of the day, if you believe you have bed bugs and don’t feel up to the task of getting rid of them yourself, contacting a professional exterminator is the wisest move to make.
FAQs About Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
How do you get rid of bed bugs naturally?
Some natural bed bug remedies like diatomaceous earth may kill a small number of pests, but infestations really require stronger pesticides applied correctly by professionals.
What kills bed bugs instantly?
High heat around 135°F kills all bed bug life stages instantly. Chemical sprays don’t work instantly but are effective when applied thoroughly.
Does rubbing alcohol kill bed bugs?
Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact, but it’s ineffective for complete elimination. Alcohol evaporates too quickly to penetrate deep into hiding spots.
Does sunlight kill bed bugs?
Direct sunlight can kill exposed bed bugs, but it does not solve infestations in cracks and voids. Sunlight does not penetrate deeply enough to reach hidden pests.
Do bed bugs bite every day?
Bed bugs typically bite every three to five days, not daily. The pests can survive weeks to months between feedings. Frequent new bites suggest there is a substantial infestation.
Further Information
- Bed Bug Information (EPA)
- Bed Bug Treatment Steps (doyourownpestcontrol.com)
- Prevention and Control of Bed Bugs in Residences (Univ. of Minnesota)
- Bed Bug and Bed Bug Bite Pictures (Stern Environmental Group)
