The Top 6 Bed Bugs Removal Tips for Homeowners

Bed bugs! They are so tiny, yes, BUT they can turn your bedtime into a huge nightmare. Aside from that, they are quite difficult to detect and eliminate. Even after applying treatment methods, bed bugs may still crawl back and re-infest your property. They reproduce fast and only become noticeable when the infestation has already gone extreme.

Bed bugs are generally nocturnal creatures because they usually attack during the night when people are asleep. They feed on human blood for survival. To remain as close as possible to their blood meal, they would hide in areas like mattresses, bed frames, headboards, box springs, cracks on walls, wallpapers, bookshelves, curtains, carpets, and upholsteries–mostly stuff near the bed. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt so any household, no matter how spotless and clean it may be, can be infested by bed bugs. These annoying pests stay close to humans because they are drawn to sweat and carbon dioxide.

How to Address Your Bed Bugs Problem at Home

Bed bug professionals are the right people to go to when dealing with bed bugs. They can provide you with the best suggestions on preventive measures and, in case of heavy infestations, can execute appropriate treatment methods. Nevertheless, homeowners also need a basic awareness of how to protect their homes from that creepy crawlies. These are six things you can do to get rid of those disgusting pests:

  1.  Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs.

    The fundamental step you must take to successfully achieve your goal of removing bed bugs is to identify any signs of bed bug activity. Either you do the inspection on your own or you ask assistance from an expert. First, you must check all potential bed bug hideouts like the sides or seams of mattresses, padded furniture, box springs, bed frames, and those dark crevices or cracks in the structure and other objects near your bed. Then, look for the signs of bed bugs like dark fecal spots, molted skin or exoskeletons, bloodstains on beddings, strong musty odor, bed bug eggs, and super itchy bite marks on your skin. Of course, seeing live bugs is another indication you do have an infestation. It is important to inspect your property in order to figure out the nature and extent of the problem.

  2. Wash your clothes with hot water.

    Applying extreme heat when washing items like clothes, bed sheets, pillowcases, and other washable items have been proven to kill bed bugs. To further eliminate whatever remaining bugs or eggs are in your belongings, place and dry the washed items in the dryer for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This DIY method really works well and is useful especially if you have just come back home from a trip.

  3. Freeze non-washable objects.

    The bed bug can easily tuck themselves in things like books, magazines, toys, lampshades, picture frames, and other non-washable items. To kill the bugs, you can place the items in a plastic bag and have them frozen in the freezer for 24 hours.

  4. Declutter.

    A cluttered home is never helpful if you have a bed bug. Clutter and other unnecessary items like unused boxes, magazines, toys, appliances, etc. must be removed as they give bed bugs extra spaces for hiding. The more clutter there is, the higher the chances of bed bugs flourishing.

  5. Vacuum.

    Regular vacuum cleaning never fails to suck in not only dust and dirt but also tiny pests like bed bugs. After cleaning, you simply have to dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag, place it in a trash bag, and throw it into a well-sealed garbage bin well away and outside of your home.

  6. Apply treatment methods.

    This is where you consult a pest control expert regarding what treatment method or procedure to be done at home. Before you apply any pesticide, make sure you understand the proper way to use it. If you have a heavy infestation, call in bed bug professionals to ensure that the treatment process is properly administered.

Many people often fail to detect bed bugs early on. If you suspect your home is crawling with these disgusting critters, you must do your part as the homeowner and practice those tips enumerated above to prevent bed bug from further spreading to other areas of your property.