Bed bugs can bring considerable disruption to your everyday life. They're troublesome, invasive and can cause uncomfortable rashes on your skin.
While they once appeared to be nearly eliminated as a problem, they have since grown a resistance to the insecticides commonly used to keep such pests away.
This makes them a more significant problem because they're now even more challenging to remove. While it may be difficult, it still needs to be done.
No one wants to live in a bed-bug infested home or be responsible for spreading that infestation to people they come into contact with in their everyday lives.
This article is going to help you with recognising the signs of a bedbug infestation; that way you'll be able to catch the problem as early as possible.
It will also provide information on the kinds of areas they like to live in, finding proof of their existence in your home, and how to treat the area to get rid of the bed bugs completely.
Then, we'll take a look into some prevention steps you can take that will help you keep the bed bugs away for good, or at the very least make getting rid of them again easier in the future.
To set you up for the highest possible level of success, each of the steps is going to be covered thoroughly so that you know what to do to take care of the problem.
5 Steps to Remove Bed Bugs
1. Recognising the signs
The most important thing to remember about bed bugs is that they can very easily be transported from place to place.
Clothing, bedding, luggage, furniture, even walls can have bedbugs on them that can wind up coming home with you, so it's incredibly important to be careful about what you touch or lean on.
You never know where there can be an infestation, especially when the bed bugs are located somewhere other than a home. If a lot of people are coming and going from an infested location, it's likely they aren't going to know it's infested.
Typically, the first thing people will notice is a rash on the skin made up of bed bug bites. These bites can often look like what you might see from a mosquito but will spread out and swell, whereas a mosquito bite will typically stay pretty well rounded and neat.
Bed bug bites can also form lines, which gives them a more distinct appearance.
They may also create a burning sensation, which is not similar to the itch of a mosquito bite.
If you notice these kinds of bites, you may want to do a quick check around the sheets on your bed to look for the bugs, moulted skin or even excrement that can look like dried blood. Any of these things will be a telltale sign that you have a bed bug problem.
2. Where can bed bugs be found?
While they may be called bed bugs, that doesn't mean the only place they can live is in a bed. It is a common location because people are known to rest there frequently and supply bed bugs with a ready supply of food, but they will live anywhere near the bed or on other pieces of furniture that are used often.
Some places you might not expect bed bugs to be are on benches, on the undersides of the desks at school, on public computers, chairs, curtains and hospital beds, walls and carpets.
It can be exceedingly easy to pick up bed bugs from a multitude of places.
It's extra important to be wary in places like airports, train and bus stations, and other travel hubs. Thousands of people can travel through these kinds of places every day, and it may only take one to start an infestation in the place or pass along bed bugs to other people they come in contact with.
Bed bugs don't stay only in places that are considered to be dirty. They'll travel and live anywhere they can get a ready source of food. Just because you might have a clean home doesn't mean you're immune to a bed bug problem.
3. Finding proof of infestation
If you are suspicious of a possible bed bug infestation, then it may be a good idea to take a closer look at your environment. Start with the bed, as that will be the most likely place that they can be found.
You'll have to get under the fabric that covers the bottom of the box spring to get a complete look or be able to treat whatever you may find. It can be challenging to effectively manage mattresses and box springs, which is why most people will get rid of their beds if they see a bed bug infestation.
One option you have is to place a cover on the mattress that is bed bug proof. This will keep the bed bugs from being able to get out and feed, essentially starving them to death.
It is important to know that it can take over a year for all of the bed bugs to starve completely, so make sure to keep the cover on as long as possible.
Any objects that have been stored under your bed may also be at risk of infestation. Luckily, there may be quicker ways to kill off any bed bugs that are on those things.
You'll also need to clean out nightstands and dressers that are near the bed and scrutinise them. Make sure also to tip them over and inspect the undersides.
If there are any bed bugs on them, they will likely try to stick to any cracks and corners they can find. It will also be a good idea to check any chairs or sofas that have been upholstered.
Make sure to check the seams, skirts, tufts and crevices very closely. Also make sure to take a close look into other familiar places, such as the edges of carpeting near the wall.
4. Treating the area
To remove bed bugs, you'll want to start by bagging and laundering any affected clothes or other items that can be safely washed in the washing machine.
If you have any smaller items that aren't able to go in the washing machine, then you can also de-infest them by wrapping them in plastic and placing them in a place where they will get a steady level of heat and sun. You want to be able to maintain a 122°F minimum for a few days.
It can also be possible to kill bedbugs by subjecting them to temperatures that are below freezing, but you will have to make sure that temperature can be maintained for at least two weeks. While cold is a possibility, heat gets the job done more quickly.
For all of your clothes, bed sheets, and anything else that can be machine washed, wash and dry them on the hot setting of your machine. Some areas may have cleaning services that are specified for bed bugs.
This is always a great option because they have tried-and-true methods for getting all the bugs killed and will be able to store your things safely, keeping them from getting infested again in your home.
If you have an object that you can't wash or throw away, then you also have the option of spraying it down with a non-toxic bed bug spray and seal it in a plastic bag.
It will need to be left in the bag for a few months to make sure the spray has killed off all the bugs, but it is a possibility. It's also important to keep in mind that steam can be an excellent tool for killing bed bugs.
Make sure to vacuum your house thoroughly because it's going to be incredibly helpful in removing bed bugs from your carpets, mattresses, other furniture and even walls.
Make sure to give the seams, tufts and edges of box springs and mattresses special attention since that's where they tend to accumulate.
Also, do a thorough job on the edges of your carpet next to the walls. Once you've finished, make sure to get rid of all the contents in a sealed trash bag. Steam cleaning your carpet and other objects if possible can also be helpful.
It's also important to make sure any weaknesses in your walls, such as cracks or places where the wallpaper has come loose are fixed. Bed bugs can easily hide in these places and can quickly return if not properly taken care of.
If killing off the bed bugs yourself is too much of a struggle, then it's always a good idea to call in a professional who has a lot of knowledge on how to get rid of these pests. If you can, it's always a good idea to discard any affected items. Getting them out of your home will help significantly in eliminating the rest of the infestation.
5. Prevention
There are many things you can do to help prevent bed bugs from getting a foothold in your home, or from re-infesting.
One of these precautions is either keeping the plastic covering that comes on a new mattress, as it can help to prevent bed bugs from getting in to start with, or later be used to help trap them inside if they should manage to find their way in at a later time.
Otherwise, it can help to purchase a bed bug cover. If you go this route, make sure to get a sturdy one with a heavy-duty zipper.
It also goes without saying to try to stay away from secondhand furniture, because it can easily be infested with bed bugs without you knowing until it's too late. If you do decide to purchase a second-hand item, make sure to inspect it thoroughly to minimise the chances of bringing pests into your home.
If you're at all suspicious of a bed bug infestation, don't make the purchase. It's always better to pay more than to risk getting bed bugs into your home.
When you are travelling, make sure to examine any hotel rooms you stay in. Most importantly, check the bed for any signs of bed bugs. It can be all too easy for them to get on your clothes or in your luggage and wind up coming home with you.
If you can, keep your luggage off the floor in case there are any potential bed bug infestations in the carpet. It's important to stay as safe as possible when you don't know if a place might have bed bugs. Many people stay in hotels, and any one of them could potentially have an infestation in their home.
Conclusion
Overall, there are several steps to take when checking, treating and removing bed bug infestation. Typically, people discover they have a problem when the bed bug bites begin to form visible rashes on their skin.
At that point, it's a good idea to check the bed as well as other furniture in your home for signs of an infestation. If you find proof that they are in your home, you can then choose to either try to kill off the bugs yourself or call in a professional to help you.
Either way, it's essential to do an extensive job. Bed bugs are pests, and as many people know, pests are capable of quickly reproducing in a place that suits them. They will flourish anywhere they can get regular access to a food supply.
Cutting off that supply as well as actively reducing their numbers in any way you can is going to make a huge difference in whether or not you'll be able to get rid of the infestation.
There are also prevention steps you can take to avoid an infestation or re-infestation that will be much less of a hassle than trying to get rid of bugs that have already decided to share your home.