How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard about the sudden increase and spread of bed bugs across the nation.
Once thought to be completely eliminated, and known by most people as just part of a bed-time saying, these nocturnal insects have practically exploded across the USA.
"Don't let the bed bugs bite" - remember?
Once you've determined you've got them, what can you do to get rid of bed bugs?
Well, you could call your local exterminator, who'll charge you and arm and a leg to come out and inspect and ultimate treat for them.
And then come back 2-4 times, charging you each time.
Or, you could just take care of them yourself.
First, you need to determine how extensively they've infested your home. Since they want to live close to their food source (you!), they'll most likely be on the mattress or in the frame of the bed. Strip the sheets and wash them in the hottest setting your washer will allow. Once it's done, you'll want to check the sheets thoroughly, especially along each and every seam, to make sure they're gone.
While you're washing, check the seams of the mattress. You'll probably find the bed bugs there, and trust me it will freak you out knowing they're there!
At a mattress store or a Bed, Bath, and Beyond type store, you can buy nice mattress covers. These are like gigantic pillow cases that cover the entire mattress but zip up to a tight seal. They tend to be expensive, with the one's we bought for Queen size running close to $100; but that's still cheaper than a new mattress.
Vacuum all the seams of the mattress, getting every bed bug you find, then put your mattress into your new mattress cover. By the way, when I say mattress, I also mean box-springs if you have them.
While the mattress is off, carefully inspect the bed frame. Bed Bugs are very small, only a few millimeters long and can make themselves almost perfectly flat, so ANY crack they can slide into to hide. Vacuum everything.
Now, be sure to pick up any clothes on the floor or near the bed and wash in HOT water. Pull drawers and clean out nightstands, inspecting every joint and corner. Vacuum.
Continue this process, working your way out from the bed.
Once you've reached a point you feel confident you're not finding any evidence of Bed Bugs, go to a Lowe's or Home Depot, and in the bug-killer section you should be able to find 1 or 2 sprays that kill bed bugs. Choose one, and carefully read the directions! These tend to be highly toxic, and you'll need to spray and then air the room out before you can sleep in it.
Spray the bed frame, nightstands, and any bookshelves or dressers you cleaned and inspected not only the joints and edges inside, but around the base of them as well. I also sprayed the entire perimeter of our room, not to keep them out, but so any we missed did not try to leave and get to the rest of the house!
Once everything is aired out, washed and inspected, put your life back together.
Be sure to throw OUT the bag from the vacuum cleaner. These insects will happily crawl out and infest the house.
Here's the MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do. In 2 weeks do it ALL again.
It's time consuming, but not hard work, and you can take care of bed bugs yourself.
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