We all know bed bugs cause health issues, so it is important to focus on bed bug control and prevention. Here are some tips to follow when you are facing a bed bug problem.
1. Don’t panic!
Though it is hard to get ride of bed bugs completely, it’s not impossible at all. You may want to throw out all of your things because you think they are invaded by bed bugs and cannot be used any more. Actually, that is not true in most cases Surprisingly, most of your things can be treated and saved. Throwing out your stuff out is not only an expensive action, but also may spread the bed bugs to other buildings and homes.
2.Make sure what troubles you are bed bugs, not fleas, ticks or other insects.
Check the pictures of bed bugs online and distinguish them from other insects. Make sure you are faced with a bed bug problem instead of other annoying insects.
3.You have more than one treatment option.
There are many treatments you can adopt to control bed bugs. Bed bug repellents, killers or spray are one of the good choices. You can also try integrated pest management techniques which may reduce the number of bed bugs and limit your contact with pesticides. If you are thinking about pesticides, make sure you always follow label directions or hire a professional. That is very important to remember.
4.Make your place clean and reduce the number of hiding places.
A cluttered home is a favorable place for bed bugs to hide. Besides, the mess would make it harder to locate and get rid of them. If you find bed bugs in your mattress, you can use special bed bug covers (encasements) on your mattress. You can also use box springs as they makes it harder for bed bugs to get to you while you are asleep. One thing you should remember is you should buy a product that has been tested for bed bugs and is strong enough to last for the full year without tearing.
5. Washing and heat-drying is needed.
You need to regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor. Besides, remember to clean laundry containers/hampers as bed bugs and their eggs can hide in them. This reduces the number of bed bugs.
6. Kill bed bugs with heat carefully.
If you think raising the indoor temperature with the thermostat or space heaters will do the job, then you are wrong. Special equipment and very high temperatures are necessary for successful heat treatment. Black plastic bags in the sun might work to kill bed bugs in luggage or small items, if the contents become hot enough. Bed bugs die when their body temperatures reaches 45°C (113°F). To kill bed bugs with heat, the room or container must be even hotter to ensure sustained heat reaches the bugs no matter where they are hiding.
Follow the above tips, and you may find yourself better capable to handle the bed bug problem. When the bed bugs in your home go out of control in spite of your efforts, it is always a good decision for you to turn to professionals as they are more experienced and can handle the bed bug problem much better.
Posted on May 5, 2023