A pencil eraser is larger than bedbugs, which are only 5 millimeters across. These bugs are intelligent, hardy, and procreate swiftly. Bedbugs can go months without eating and are aware of where to hide to evade detection. 500 eggs can be laid by a female in her lifetime.
It should come as no surprise that these tiny bloodsuckers can get very messy in your house. They may leave red, itchy welts all over your body if they join you in bed.
Can you eliminate bedbugs by yourself?
Bedbugs can be eliminated. Try to have patience, as getting rid of bedbugs frequently requires some time and work. If your infestation is severe, you may need to attempt a couple different chemical and nonchemical methods.
Bedbug removal may be more challenging due to some variables. If your home is cluttered or if you frequently travel and bring new bedbugs home in your luggage, it could be harder to get rid of them.
You might need to hire an exterminator if you are unable to get rid of them on your own. Continue reading for a step-by-step tutorial on bedbug removal.
Step 1: Locate all sites that are infected
If you have bedbugs, you should locate them as soon as possible before they begin to multiply. A minor infestation is significantly simpler and less expensive to treat than a large one. Smaller infestations, however, may be more difficult to find.
You can perform a DIY bed insect inspection or contact a professional to conduct one. Some inspectors use trained dogs with specialized noses to find bedbugs.
Bedbugs can fit into tight spaces like the folds of curtains and the seams of a mattress or couch because to their thin and narrow bodies.
Additionally, keep an eye out for them:
- close to the mattress and box spring tags
- the headboard and bed frame both have cracks.
- around baseboards
- between pillows on a couch
- joints in furniture
- electrical outlets inside
- beneath flimsy wallpaper
- beneath wall-mounted artwork and posters
- in the joint where the ceiling and the wallpaper meet
Examine each of these regions with a flashlight and magnifying glass.
Bedbug symptoms include the following:
- Reddish and about a quarter-inch long live bedbugs
- These small, dark dots are bedbug droppings and are roughly the size of a period.
- your mattress has reddish stains caused by squashed bugs.
- Eggs, egg shells, and the yellowish skin that young bedbugs shed are tiny and pale yellow.
When a bedbug is discovered, place it in a sealed jar with 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. There are numerous bugs that resemble bedbugs. Bring any bugs you’re unsure of to an entomologist or exterminator for identification.
Step 2: Stop the infestation
Once you’ve identified your bedbug infestation, you must keep them contained until you can eradicate them. Using your vacuum to capture bedbugs is a quick and simple method. Search for any potential hiding places using the vacuum.
You are included in this:
- bed
- dresser
- carpets
- electronics, such as TVs
The vacuumed contents should be placed in a plastic bag before being discarded. The vacuum should then be completely cleaned.
Until you can wash them, place all of your linens and damaged clothing in plastic bags. After that, set a washer and dryer to the highest temperature setting. In the event that something cannot be washed, dry it for 30 minutes on the maximum heat setting.
Put everything in a plastic bag if it can’t be cleaned in the washer and dryer. If you can, leave it there for a few months to ensure that all the bugs are dead.
Throw away furnishings that you are unable to clean. To prevent anyone else from attempting to take it home, first tear it up and spray-paint the term “bedbugs” on it.
Step 3: Get ready to cure bed bugs
Make a little preparation before you begin treating your house to increase your chances of success. Ensure that all of your clothing, linens, carpets, draperies, and other hiding spots have been cleaned or disposed of (see step 2).
Eliminate bedbug hiding areas next:
- Pick up everything that is on the floor and under your bed, including books, magazines, clothes, and other items.
- Whatever you can, discard.
- You risk spreading the bugs if you move objects from an afflicted room to a clean one.
Close up any openings:
- Set unfastened wallpaper with glue.
- Fill up furniture cracks and baseboard gaps with caulk.
- Plug openings should be taped.
Finally, to prevent bedbugs from climbing on your bed, move it at least 6 inches away from the wall.
Step 4: Kill the bedbugs
How to eliminate bedbugs in your home
You can start by attempting a chemical-free bed bug extermination. High heat at 115°F (46.11°C) or extreme cold at 32°F (0°C) can easily kill these insects.
These techniques can be used to treat bedbugs in the following ways:
- For 30 minutes, wash your clothes and bedding in hot water. After that, dry them for 30 minutes at the highest heat setting on a dryer.
- Mattresses, couches, and other areas where bedbugs hide should all be steam cleaned.
- On a hot day that reaches 95°F (35°C), pack infected objects in black bags and leave them outside or in a closed car. It can take 2 to 5 months to eliminate sealed-up bugs in cooler climates.
- Bedbug-filled bags should be placed in the freezer at 0°F (-17.78°C). Check the temperature using a thermometer. Keep them there for a minimum of 4 days.
Make the area uninhabitable for any remaining bedbugs once you’ve eliminated any that are visible. Your mattress and box spring should be covered with bedbug-proof material. All the way up, zip these coverings. The imprisoned bugs within will perish, and new bugs won’t be able to enter.
You might need to try an insecticide if these techniques don’t completely get rid of the pests.
Chemical and non-chemical therapies
Bedbugs can be removed from your home with insecticides. Look for items that have been registered with the EPA in the United States and are designated for use on bedbugs.
You can try the following insecticide varieties:
- The two substances that are most frequently used to kill bedbugs are pyrethrins and pyrethroids. Some bedbugs, though, have developed a resistance to them.
- Pyrroles, such as chlorfenapyr, kill bedbugs by causing cell disruption.
- Nicotine analogs are called nicotineoids. The neurological system of the bugs is harmed. These chemicals are effective against bedbugs that have developed a resistance to other pesticides.
- Dessicants are compounds that remove the bugs’ outer layer of defense. The bugs would dry out and perish without this coating. Diatomaceous earth and silica aerogel (Tri-Die and CimeXa) are two examples of dessicants. Dessicants have the benefit of not developing a resistance in bedbugs, but they function slowly. It may take a few months for these solutions to completely eradicate all pests.
- Bedbugs can be killed by foggers or bug bombs, but they cannot enter the gaps and crevices where they hide. If used improperly, they may potentially be toxic to people. Analyze the label thoroughly. Don’t use a fogger until you have left the room.
- EcoRaider and Bed Bug Patrol are examples of plant oil-based remedies that effectively combat bedbugs while being less hazardous than chemical insecticides.
Step 5: Assessing and avoiding bedbugs in the future
It may take some time to eradicate bedbugs. You need evidence that the bugs have left the area before you can be sure that your treatment was effective. About once every 7 days, check the infected regions for activity.
Placing bedbug interceptors under each bed leg will help you find any remaining bedbugs more easily. Bedbugs will be captured by these gadgets before they can enter your bed. The interceptors may need to be checked for an entire year.
Bedbugs are resilient animals. When you believe you have eliminated them, you can come upon them again. To get the infestation under control, you might need to attempt a few different treatments. And if they still don’t leave, you should hire a specialist exterminator.
Step 6: Involve experts
It’s time to call in the experts if you are unable to completely eradicate bedbugs on your own. Pestbusters The Bed Bug Company can complete the necessary steps to complete the process.
The use of pesticides and other treatments that are not available to you is a benefit of hiring a pest control company. They have pesticides that kill bugs instantly and remain inside gaps and furniture to kill bedbugs over time.
Additionally, companies that deal with pests might heat up a whole space which is known as a bed bug heat treatment process. If you are looking for the bed bug heat treatment Omaha removal process than you have found the right bed bug exterminator. In order to eliminate bedbugs, they bring in specialized equipment that raises the temperature in the room to between 135 and 145°F (57.22 and 62.78°C).
You should receive preparation instructions from the pest control firm before they come to your house. You’ll have the greatest chance of eliminating the bugs if you properly follow their instructions.
To begin working, professional treatments need two to three visits. You might need to avoid the treated rooms for a few hours after each treatment to allow the pesticides to dry.
Continue reading to learn the distinction between bedbug and flea bites.
Step 7: Keep bedbugs outside
You’ll want to take steps to ensure that bedbugs don’t return once they’ve been eliminated:
- Eliminate any clutter. Do not leave any items on the floor, including magazines, clothing, or documents.
- A bed insect cover should be placed over your mattress and box spring and completely zip up.
- Regularly vacuum and wash your carpets, furniture, drapes, and bedding.
- To prevent bedbugs from entering, patch up any cracks around electrical outlets, baseboards, and light sockets.
- When traveling, look for bedbugs to prevent bringing them back with you.
