subject: Helpful Tips On Making Your Home Free Of Bed Bugs [print this page] Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on both animal and human blood for nourishment. Because of their flat and tiny bodies, it makes them somewhat hard to spot with the naked eye. Despite their name, they can nest in other places aside from your bed. They can hide in places like cracks on the walls or floors, carpets, furniture, curtains, garments, etc.
If you suspect you got bed bugs in your house, fret not. It's important to handle the situation cautiously, and wait not for an infestation to take place. The following are some helpful tips in keeping these insects from spreading and ruining your life.
The very first step you need to take is to do a through inspection of your items. You should look for small blood stains or dark fecal spots bed bugs leave behind. You should carefully examine items like bed linens, pillowcases, curtains, clothes, etc. To spot the insects themselves, you may use a powerful magnifying glass, as they're very small. Look for them in cracks on walls or floors, or tiny crevices on your furniture. Since they tend to cling together, finding one may lead you easily to the rest.
Spray areas where you suspect where they may be staying with bleach or insecticide designed for bed bugs. Better yet, try to minimize areas where these insects may nest. For example, you can fill floor or wall cracks with a caulking material or any similar item. You can also reduce clutter, especially on the floor. By not providing any areas for them to nest, their multiplication may be curtailed.
Vacuum-clean not only your carpets, but also pillowcases, bed linens, curtains, and other similar items. Use a brush attachment to clean furnishings like sofas, tables, drawers, etc. Vacuuming will help in removing them, as well as their eggs. Later on, place the vacuum bag in a plastic bag. Seal it and throw it away properly outside the house.
Extreme heat will destroy these insects and their eggs. Wash your items - from garments, curtains, to beddings - in very hot water. Then let them stay in the dryer, under the strongest yet safest heat setting. But before you take these items back to storage, it's important to ensure your drawers or cabinets are bug-free. Spray them with bleach, alcohol or disinfectant spray, and let dry thoroughly.
Before putting back your beddings, cover your mattress and box-springs in protective plastic. This will work to your advantage in two ways. First, it will prevent bed bugs from nesting in and around the mattress and box-springs. Second, if the bugs are already in them, the plastic will keep them inside and kill them eventually. You can use the same plastic-wrapping approach when storing your garments or similar items. But if your bed and furniture is too old and may be infested heavily, it's best if you simply buy new ones.
You may also bring back bed bugs from the hotels you stay in when you travel. Upon arriving, take out the contents of your luggage in the garage. Place them in plastic bags and seal completely. Take them out when washing them. Use hot water to kill the bugs and eggs, then place them in the dryer for no shorter than 5 minutes.
When you suspect severe infestation, the best step to take is hire professional exterminators. They are skilled to find and get rid of bed bugs in your home. But it may take a few appointments to completely eliminate them. To prevent subsequent infestations, maintain cleanliness as well as do some preventive measures.
