When you discover a bed bug infestation, act quickly. Steps to get rid of pests:
1. Find Infected Regions First
Bed bugs reproduce quickly, so finding them early is critical. Inspect for bed bugs in the following areas:
- The mattress and box spring seams.
- Bed frame and headboard cracks.
- Between your sofa’s cushions and along their seams.
- Where your carpet meets the wall.
- In the joints of couches, chairs, and futons.
Examine each region with a flashlight. Inspect for bed bug droppings, live bedbugs, or pale yellow eggs. Check your nightstand, dresser drawers, and closet if you detect bed bugs in any of these places.
2. Bug-proof
After locating an active bed bug infestation, quarantine it to prevent further spread. Vacuuming up live bed bugs is a quick and easy technique to contain them. Vacuum your mattress, insides of dressers, furniture seams and joints, carpets, and any other areas that show evidence of bed bug infestation.
When you’re done, seal your vacuum canister and toss it. After vacuuming, wash and dry damaged linens, clothing, and textiles in hot water and on high heat in your dryer. Use steam if you can’t wash or dry an item (like a couch cushion). Remember that this will not kill bed bugs–it will only pick up live bed bugs. If eggs remain, they may hatch and generate a secondary infestation.
3. Kill
Now it’s time to get rid of bed bugs for good. How?
3 Home Remedies
1. Kill Bedbugs With Heat Or Cold
Temperature kills bed bugs on a mattress or other essential areas. Soak afflicted bedding or clothing in very hot water for 30 minutes. After the wash cycle, dry the clothes on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes. Alternately, place impacted objects in a freezer at or below 0°F. Leave them for four days to kill bed bugs.
Pros: Non-toxic, simple, effective
Cons: Can’t be used on all things or materials.
2. Use Steam
Use a steamer on beds, couches, and other hiding places to kill bed bugs.
Pros: Safe, simple, effective, may be used both to prevent and kill bed bugs
Cons: Requires a steamer, which not everyone has.
3. Encase Beds
Invest in bed bug-proof mattress and box spring covers. When fully zipped, these coverings keep bed bugs out and kill those that get inside. They also act as a deterrent to bed bugs biting you while you sleep.
Pros: Cheap, safe, and easy
Cons: Doesn’t get rid of bed bugs.
3 Standard Bed Bug Treatments
1. Insecticide
Insecticides can get rid of bed bugs if home methods don’t work. Bed bug insecticides include pyrethrins and pyrethroids. These pesticides are safe for dogs and people, and they work quickly. They also destroy insects with a little dose. The disadvantage is that certain bed bugs are chemically resistant. In that case, you (or your exterminator) may need to use pyrroles (like chlorfenapyr) or neonicotinoids (synthetic nicotine).
Pros: Effective and fast-acting, perfect for hotels and households
Some harsh chemicals may be present in the product.
2. Desiccant
Desiccants kill bugs by dissolving their outer shell. The bugs die without this covering.
Desiccants include silica aerogel and diatomaceous earth. Desiccants are non-resistance and have a high death rate.
Pros: Safe, effective, and simple to use
Requires more frequent reapplication than insecticides
3. Plant A Bug Bomb
Bed bugs are easily eradicated using foggers or insect bombs. These are incredibly harmful to both people and pets. Therefore, you must leave your home while they work.
Pros: Effective and quick
Cons: Dangerous, highly poisonous, and less effective than direct-application pesticides in gaps and crevices where bed bugs hide.
4. Watch The Impacted Areas
Bed bug infestations can last weeks or months. For several months, check the affected area weekly. If you see fresh bed bug activity, re-treat the area.
5. Hire A Bed Bug Exterminator
An exterminator like Smith’s Pest Management in San Jose can get rid of bed bugs quickly and effectively.
Our specialists will assess your bed bug infestation and devise a plan to rid your home of them.