The problems of infestation are very real and serious so learning the bed bug extermination process is extremely important as they need to be dealt with right away. As soon as an infestation is identified, you will need to take immediate action whether it is carrying out your plan or contacting an exterminator. Which one you choose really depends on the severity of the problem and how widespread it is.
Immediate action is necessary to eliminate the problem
One of the biggest problems in learning how to get rid of bed bugs is that these critters can hide just about anywhere. While you can eliminate the problem in your bedroom, chances are they might be hiding in a place that you least expect. You might hate to hear this, but if the problem continues to persist after many attempts then you may need to go with a professional bed bug exterminator.
The bed bug extermination process costs can really vary depending on how severe the problem is and what exactly needs to be done. Keep in mind though that as soon as you identify an infestation, you need to take immediate action to get rid of bed bugs. The reason is because these insects can reproduce very quickly and can easily live for up to a year without any food.
Identify where the infestation is first
Confirming the presence of these bugs can often times be difficult especially if you have no experience on how to get rid of bed bugs yourself. Typical signs that you might have a infestation include the discovery of fecal matter on your mattress. In addition, you might also see crushed bugs and even small bloodstains because of it on your sheets so be sure to look carefully.
Keep in mind that these critters (cimex lectularius) can literally hide just about anywhere as they can be found behind walls, baseboards and even in electrical outlets. You might need to use a crevice tool along with a magnifying glass and flashlight to help you identify where they are occurring. Many individuals people that bed bugs are not easily identified but you can actually see them with the naked eye.
Bed bug signs and symptoms to look for
Before getting started with the bed bug extermination process, another sign to look for is the fact that you might wake up to bites on your body. If this occurs, it is absolutely important that you do not scratch the area otherwise it could make matters worse. Scratching the area will definitely not help to get rid of bed bugs at home as it can lead to an infection should you continue to do so.
Always wash the affected area with warm soap water in addition to applying bed bug ointment that can help to reduce the itching like Benadryl o Hydrocortisone. Another favorite treatment for bed bugs is by using herbal remedies like aloe vera or even witch hazel. These remedies can easily be found at your local store so be sure to shop around first to find the best solution for you.
Prepare for a long and hard battle
You probably might be wondering how to kill bed bugs at home, but the truth of the matter is that you will definitely need some heavy duty stuff. You will need to use the type of chemicals that will get rid of the problem and kill all the eggs. Some of the brands to look for include Onslaught, Bedlam and Tri-Die but you need to be especially careful when using these for the bed bug extermination process.
Fortunately, there are many methods that you can implement right away that will help with your quest for bed bug eradication that are not too difficult. The process might be a little tedious at first but it is certainly well worth it to completely get rid of the infestation. Using these techniques can really help to control the problem also which will be explained in more detail.
Bed bugs can literally hide just about anywhere
Before getting started with the bed bug extermination process, just bear in mind that these critters can be found just about anywhere. This includes spots like your mattress, furniture, carpet, closet, drawers and even behind wall papers. Studies have confirmed that a vast majority of thse bugs are typically found in beds, recliners and also sofas.
Knowing this information is rather valuable when it comes to an effective bed bug extermination so that you can better concentrate your efforts. One of the bad things though is that even if they are completely eliminated in your bedroom, they can still be found in other locations. Every home is different so the following is a more in depth guide to what you can do to exterminate bed bugs.
First step in killing bed bugs
Once an infestation is identified (usually in the bedroom where you sleep), then you need to take immediate action to prevent them spreading. The first step that you will need to do is to first clean all your linens and beddings by completely pulling them off. This includes taking off the sheets, mattress over, blanket and pillows while proceeding to wash them in hot water.
The bed bugs extermination process that follows next is to them dry these items for 4 hours at least 140 degrees or just two completely cycles. Once you are finished with this step, you will then need to place them inside an extra large Ziploc bag while sealing it. For extra precaution, be sure to seal it inside a contractor bag and not to touch the items for at least a year.
Always wash your clothing with hot water
In addition you can even throw them in the trash and start with new bedding but doing this step is important to control the infestation. Learning how to get rid of bed bugs at home can really be a tedious process but is absolutely necessary for prevention in the future. One thing to remember is that these insects are very vulnerable to heat which you can use to your advantage.
If you plan on going to a dry cleaning service to help with your problem, then be sure to tell them that the bags contain clothing with bed bugs. The next step that you will need to follow is to completely remove all the clutter that is found inside your room. Anything you might not need, you are probably better off just throwing them away as there might be bugs in them.
Carefully inspect your entire room for an infestation
Even items like an air purifier might need to be opened up and thoroughly cleaned just to be safe. Once that step is completed, you will need to seal each item you can in a Ziploc bag in order to prevent bed bugs from occurring again. If you have a lot of stuff that you care to admit, then this step might take a really long time but is absolutely important in order to kill off all the eggs.
The bed bug extermination process is really a long one so hang in there as you will then need to vacuum your entire room in addition to your mattress and even the box spring. You need to be extra vigorous here as the eggs these insects clay can really cling on to surfaces. Start by literally cleaning every inch of the bed by vacuuming everything that you see.
Consider using a bed bug mattress cover
If money is not too much of a concern when it comes to getting rid of bed bugs, then you might just want to consider tossing out the mattress altogether. It might cost you several hundred dollars to replace the mattress but is absolutely a necessary step. If you are too lazy to vacuum your bed, then fortunately there is another alternative for you that you can utilize right away.
With that said, you can easily use a bed bug mattress cover that basically encases the entire bed so that any bugs inside are unable to escape. This is actually a rather effective alternative as these insects will eventually die off due to suffocation and lack of food. They are also rather beneficial for how to stop bed bugs while traveling since you can purchase additional covers.
Proceed to vacuum the entire room
The next step for the bed bug extermination process is to then clean your bed frame by vacuuming the entire area. You should probably complete this step while you are cleaning the entire room just to be on the safe side and for added convenience as well. If there are any holes, cracks or crevices then you can easily spray insecticide inside and proceed to seal it off with duct tape.
If your bed has a headboard, then you definitely need to dissemble it or either throw it away as there might be eggs hiding inside. When it comes to bed bugs extermination, just remember that you need to put everything in a plastic bag. This is especially true if you want to toss it as the last thing you would want is for these critters to jump out and cause an infestation in other areas of your home.
Position the bed away from furniture and walls
Another thing to keep in mind for the bed bug extermination process is to use a steam cleaner as these critters are very vulnerable to heat. Using a steam cleaner in addition to a vacuum will often times give the best results so be sure to use them in combination with each other. If you do not have any of these items, then you probably should purchase them either at online sites or local department stores.
Once you have completed that step to exterminating bed bugs, you then to clean and prepare the entire floor space around the bed. This means that you will need to reposition the bed in a way where it is completely away from any walls or furniture. This will ensure that an infestation does not occur again as you literally eliminate any bridges that might be used.
Exterminate bed bugs by vacuuming literally everything
If you have any carpets, then be sure that you thoroughly vacuum them or you might even want to completely seal them away in a bag for the next 18 months or so. Another alternative is to simply use chemicals on these rubs but this is obviously your choice. When using any type of treatment for bed bugs, you need to be certain to always read the instructions prior to using them.
The next thing for the bed bug extermination process is to sprinkle a bit of DE (Diatomaceous Earth) which helps to kill pests immediately. What makes this option most attractive is that it is a completely natural solution that has no odors or additives. Be sure to use the the DE on all the locations in which you suspect there might be bugs.
Final steps to kill bed bugs
The final step is to secure the perimeter by placing a wide double sided tape along the floor that surrounds your bed. One thing to keep in mind is that bed bugs often come out late at night which is why some individuals wake up to bites all over their body. Should this happen, these insects will get caught inside the tape so you can catch them red handed.
The next step for how to get rid of bed bugs at home is to then clean the rest of your house by vacuuming and removing any clutter you might not need. If all goes well, then you will have completely eliminated these insects from your home. If you are still not sure what to do, then you might want to stick with using a professional bed bugs extermination service.
Bed bugs extermination prices can vary
The price of these can really vary depending on your area, how large your home is and how widespread the problem is. However, if you are serious about how to exterminate bed bugs completely then you should definitely follow the steps as listed above. Keep in mind that several treatments might be necessary especially if the infestation is still not going away.
As long as you follow this process on how to kill bed bugs, then you should be okay for the most part. The important thing though is to kill all the adults in addition to all the eggs that they lay as the last thing you would want is for it to spread around. One of the downsides though is that you may need to repeat this exact process for 8 to 12 weeks in order to drastically reduce the population.
This process can be very overwhelming especially for the beginner just trying to get rid of bed bugs at home which is why it is generally recommended to pay for a service. While you can use insecticides, they can often times be harmful especially if you breathe it in. Hopefully this bed bug extermination process has helped you in eliminating the problem but be sure to remain persistent.
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