A female bed bug can lay 500 eggs in her lifetime. Bed bugs can easily infest your home from recycled clothing, a couch, or used mattress. Afraid you have bed bugs in your home and not sure what to do?
This article will cover getting rid of bed bugs for good so you can rest easy at night. Read on to discover how to know if your home is infected.
Table of Contents
What Do Bed Bugs Look like
Bed bugs are small and brown in color. They feed on the blood of animals or humans. They’re oval in shape and about the size of an apple seed. After they feed, their bodies become a reddish color and swell.
They don’t fly but can move rather quickly. They hide extremely well in mattresses, couches, and other items. It’s important to keep in mind they’re not attracted to dirt, so even if you have a spotless home you can still find them.
When They Bite
Bed bugs are normally active at night and will bite you when you’re asleep. They have a beak that pierces your skin to obtain the blood. While the bites are painless at first, they, later on, become itchy. Bites can be found where the skin is exposed while sleeping.
They differ from flea bites since those are usually around the ankle and have a red spot in the center. If you’re unsure whether you have bed bugs, you’ll want to first identify what bug is in your home.
Identify Infection
If you’ve got bed bugs you’ll want to find them sooner than later since it’s more affordable to get them while it’s a smaller infestation. They’re harder to spot when it’s a smaller infestation, but still entirely possible.
Their small bodies let them squeeze into curtains, the seams of a mattress or couch, and other locations. They’re normally initially in the bedroom before spreading out to other parts of the home.
You’ll want to also look for them in:
- Baseboards
- Mattresses and box springs near the tags
- In between couch cushions
- Underneath loose wallpaper
- Under paintings and wallpaper
Make sure to use a flashlight as you’re searching these areas.
Look for:
- Small dark spots
- Any reddish stains on your mattress
- Look out for yellow eggs, yellowish skins, or eggshells
When you find a bed bug, place it in a sealed jar along with a touch of rubbing alcohol. Other bugs can look similar, so if you’re not sure, bring it to an exterminator in the area.
Effectively Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
You’ll want to clean anywhere the bed bugs are located in your home. Make sure to clean all of your bedding, curtains, linen, and clothing in hot water. After washing them, you’ll want to dry them at the hottest setting.
Any items that can’t be washed such as toys or shoes, place them in the dryer. Then, use a stiff brush to scrub at mattress seams so you’ll remove any eggs or bugs before vacuuming.
Use a cover long-term that zips over the box spring and mattress to keep them from entering or escaping. Get rid of any clutter in the bedroom. Any cracks in the plaster on your wall, glue to fix to make sure all the bugs are gone.
Extermination
A few insecticides you can try are:
Pyrethroids and Pyrethins-These are the most commonly used to kill bed bugs. Sometimes these bugs have become resistant to this treatment.
Neonicotinoids-This is nicotine, which works great if they’re resistant to other treatment.
Pyrroles-This works by disrupting their cells.
Dessicants-This destroys their outer coating, and without their coating, they will die. A con of this treatment is it works slowly but it’s effective.
Bug bombs-This will kill them, but can’t get into crevices or cracks where they can hide. If not used correctly, they can be poisonous to humans.
Always read the instructions before using any treatment. If the treatment you use says to leave your home for a certain period of time, make sure you, your family, and pets are out of the home for that time.
Eliminating bed bugs permanently normally requires professional extermination. Treating your bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, so it’s best to leave it to a professional. They will also have access to insecticides you won’t.
If you’d like to save time and know the bed bugs are effectively treated for good, find out more today.
Monitor the Area and Prevention
After treatment, you’ll want to watch the previously affected areas to make sure they’re treated if you did self-treatment. Check the area weekly to make sure the area has been properly treated.
Once you’re sure they’re gone for good, you’ll want to follow some prevention tips:
- Keep the zipped covering over your mattress and box spring
- Vacuum your carpets, curtains, and bedding often
- Seal any cracks around baseboards and light sockets
- Check hotel rooms for bed bugs before bringing them home
Follow these prevention tips so you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is prevented from a bed bug infestation again.
Next Steps
While getting rid of bed bugs can seem overwhelming, follow these tips for prevention, inspection, and treatment. Remember, if you’re ever not sure about a step or treatment, you can always reach out to an exterminator in your area to know they’re gone for good.
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