Known for crawling onto you while you sleep in peaceful slumber to drink your blood, bed bugs are a truly nightmarish pest. Bed bugs have always been a part of human existence. However, they have now evolved into creatures that are resistant to typical treatments. Unfortunately, they are scattered across every state in the country, as well as many parts of the world.
If you find out you have bed bugs in your home, taking a DIY approach is not something to be taken lightly. However, with the right bed bug treatment products
and some vigilance, you can get a good handle on the situation on your own. Here are a few measures to take while you work on eradicating bed bugs from your house with treatment products.
1. Invest in Mattress Protection
These things are called bed bugs specifically for the reason that mattresses are their preferred nesting spots. Investing in a good mattress cover for every bed in your house is a highly important part of eradication. Look for a mattress cover that:
- Completely zips closed with a protective flap that secures over the end of the zipper
- Is labeled for use as a form of bed bug protection
- Fits snugly to your mattress
A bed bug is a tiny creature, with eggs as small as 2.5 millimeters long and adult bugs measuring only 0.18 inches. Therefore, they can slip into the cracks, crevices and thread holes in a mattress and nest deep inside where they will be perfectly concealed. Mattress covers will seal any bugs present inside but will also prevent further infestation.
2. Eliminate Clutter
Bed bugs prefer mattresses because they give them easy access to food. But it's important to remember that these pests will nest just about anywhere that gives them good concealment during the day. Therefore, the more clutter you have present, the harder it will be to control the problem. You should get rid of things like:
- Stacks of papers, books and magazines
- Piles of clothing, blankets and other laundry
- Bunches of stuffed animals or soft toys
Eliminate clutter and keep laundry off the floor to prevent giving the bugs places to hide around the house. While you're working on eliminating an infestation, it is a good idea to temporarily seal up things like stuffed animals, extra clothing and blankets in sealable storage bags. These items should be properly laundered and dried on a high heat setting before they are allowed out of containment.
3. Vacuum Carpets Daily
Vacuuming helps to pick up any bed bugs and eggs that may be hanging out in your carpet. Doing so every day while you are in the process of treating your home will help eliminate any bugs or eggs that could be hanging around. Just remember to properly empty the vacuum canister or dispose of the bag in the trash outside after vacuuming so the bugs don't get back into the house.
4. Launder Your Bedding Frequently
Bed bugs are extremely resilient, but one thing they cannot handle is high temperatures. Therefore, laundering your bedding frequently will kill a lot of bugs and their eggs. Just make sure you dry the bedding on the highest heat setting for a full drying cycle, which should get the items heated somewhere close to 117 to 122 degrees, which is effective for killing the bugs.
Tackling a bed bug infestation in your home is difficult, but not impossible if you understand how these pests live, how they nest and their weaknesses. For access to all the best residential bed bug treatment products, contact us
at Pest Control Supply Co. for help.
