Bed bugs are a serious problem that can make you and your family miserable. They typically hide in cracks and crevices, making them incredibly difficult to eradicate without professional help. If you do decide to do it yourself, use these six steps:
The first thing you need to do is go through your bedroom and toss out everything that you can. This includes:
You should also remove anything inside of the mattress itself or under the box spring if there is one on top of it such as dust bunnies or dead bugs that may be hiding there!
Once you've tossed out all of your furniture and items, steam clean the mattress. You can use a steam cleaner that is specifically designed for cleaning mattresses, or you can use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment that allows it to steam-clean. If neither of these options are available, brush out all of the crevices in your mattress with a stiff brush before steaming it up (but don't forget about those corners!).
Don't use harsh chemicals like bleach or other toxic cleaners on your bedding--they will only make matters worse!
Next, vacuum the entire room, paying special attention to any crevices, corners and under furniture. Use a strong vacuum with a hose attachment to get into corners and cracks. You can also use a crevice tool for this purpose or even just your hand if you're not comfortable using tools on your own body (though it's better to avoid this). Finally, use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get in between clothes or other items that might be hiding bed bugs from sight.
Once you've vacuumed your room, apply the organic diatomaceous earth (DE) over all surfaces of the room, including under beds, inside drawers and along baseboards.
After the first application, you should wait 12 hours before applying DE again. This will give the dust time to settle on surfaces where bed bugs are hiding and work its magic.
When you're ready for a second application, lightly dust DE over all surfaces in your room--including under beds and inside drawers--as well as along baseboards and other areas where bed bugs might be hiding.
If you've been treating your home for bed bugs, and are still seeing signs of infestation or live bugs, it's time to get professional help. Bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate on your own and may require multiple treatments over several weeks.
If you have any doubt about whether your home has been successfully treated for bed bugs or if the problem has returned after treatment, contact an exterminator immediately.
The best way to eliminate bed bugs is by hiring a professional pest control company. This may seem like an expensive option, but it will be worth it in the long run. The professionals have the right equipment and knowledge to get rid of your bed bugs quickly and permanently, so you can enjoy your home again without worrying about these pesky little critters.
You'll also benefit from being able to relax while they work on eliminating your infestation (and trust me: having someone else do all that work for you will make this process much less stressful). And when they're done? You'll have peace of mind knowing that there won't be any more unwanted visitors coming through those walls!
We hope that you now have a good idea of how to handle bed bugs in your home. If you're still unsure about whether or not you’re in need of a bed bug extermination from the professionals, we recommend contacting us. We'll be happy to answer any questions or concerns that may arise during the process!
