When faced with the challenge of how to get rid of bed bugs, the old adage “sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite” becomes a daunting reality. Imagine the discomfort of finding these nuisances in your bed, especially after a long, exhausting day. This discovery turns your quest for a peaceful night’s sleep into an urgent search for solutions to eradicate these unwelcome intruders.
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Bed bugs, tiny oval insects about 5mm in size, feed on human or animal blood. They reproduce quickly, making their dust-like eggs difficult to eliminate. These pests, unable to fly, are adept crawlers on walls and ceilings. Young bed bugs, called nymphs, require five moults and a month of feeding on blood to mature. Historically, even ancient Egyptians faced them, and pesticides have been used for control. Today, for effective removal, especially from small items, it’s recommended to consult pest control experts, although some home remedies may help.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
One of the most crucial steps in the bed bug control process is to identify their presence before they wreak complete havoc in your home. Once they reach the stage of infestation, it is almost impossible to get rid of them. Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius Linnaeus, bed bugs could be a little brownish or reddish in shade.
Female bed bugs lay about 1 to 5 eggs per day. Commonly, these insects attack you during the night because they look for warm-blooded hosts that exhale carbon dioxide. Upon finding a suitable body, bed bugs attack the host with two tubes. Once the need for blood is satiated, they disappear for 5 to 10 days to digest, rest and reproduce.
Read: How To Get Rid of Spiders at Home?
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If you are noticing red welts on your body, the first step is to confirm the presence of bed bugs. Bed bugs are often found in the 8-foot area from where the host sleeps. Check the mattress underlining and piping properly and look for tiny red insects that might be crawling. You could also find spots of their faecal matter.
Common areas to check –
- Bed frame
- Head and footboard of the bed
- Other furniture items
- Walls and corners
- Carpets
- Electronic devices with hidden spaces
Once you have confirmed the presence of bed bugs, it is most likely a case of infestation and you should check other rooms as well. You can also use insecticides to force them out of their hiding locations. After assessing the level of damage, you can plan how to get rid of bed bugs in a mattress.
Keep the Infestation from Spreading: How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs Permanently?
As an answer to the question – how to get rid of bed bugs permanently, calling an exterminator might be your best bet at this stage. They can use suitable pesticides and get control of the situation before it gets too worse. Using chemicals, yourself without any expert guidance can be harmful as the chances of toxic residue on bedding increase.
Pest exterminators will examine the severity of the damage and then work according to the plan best suited. They are authorised to use chemicals unavailable to the general public and can make sure that there are no harmful side effects or consequences.
Non-chemical and chemical treatments: How to get rid of bed bugs fast at home?
Even though most cases might require professional intervention, you can still salvage the situation with home remedies for bed bugs if signs of infestation are noticed from the very starting. Try cleaning your room and ensure that there are no hiding spots in the corners. Check your bedsheets and garments for signs of blood or faecal matter leftover by bed bugs. Some of the common remedies on how to get rid of bed bugs are –
Read: 10 Ways to Eliminate Cockroaches from Your Homes Forever!
1.Mattress Encasement:
One of the best ways of bed bug pest control, mattress encasement is the procedure of covering your bedding with a specific fabric that is effective in trapping bed bugs and preventing them from reaching the outside layer. This is the best way to get rid of bed bugs from new mattresses as they stay free of any kind of infestation.
2.Vinegar:
Vinegar is one of the most important home remedies for bed bugs. Chemical components in vinegar are capable of destroying the nervous system of bed bugs. Take white distilled vinegar and apply it on the corners and edges of the mattress or any other object that is potentially affected. Also, spray some vinegar on the bed bugs. This will reduce their ability to crawl and flee, thus reducing the concentration of bed bugs. However, this method might only work with mature bed bugs. Vinegar causes no harm to the eggs.
Read: How to Get Rid of Mosquitos at Home?
3.Bed Vacuum:
If you are wondering how to get rid of bed bugs in a mattress, another popular way is to use ziplock bags that will create a vacuum-like atmosphere. Take some bags and put them over your mattress while sealing the end corners effectively. Abandon the room for over 7 to 10 days. This will stop the entry and exit of any bed bugs and will eventually lead to their starvation.
4.Heat:
Unlike some insects, bed bugs are unable to survive in relatively high room temperatures. 45 C or 113 F is the temperature when bed bugs start to die. 60 C or 140 F is the ideal temperature for killing them rapidly. You can try raising the temperature in the room or steaming your mattress for heat treatment. However, you need to be careful with this procedure as it might be ineffective if some parts of the mattress end up remaining cold. Professionals can ensure the efficiency of heat treatment by strategically placing fans to distribute heat evenly.
5.Insecticide Dust:
Even though self-administering insecticides in your home is professionally discouraged, you can still get your hands on some non-toxic insecticide dust for bed bug control. For example – silica dust. Silica causes erosion of the outer skull of bed bugs which results in their dehydration. You can use this dust on inaccessible areas like the tufts and corners of bed frames, the interior portion of the box spring or the edges of furniture. Silica dust might cause some irritations in your body, so it is advised to sleep away from the affected area.
Read: Proven Tips and Tricks on How to Get Rid of Small or Big Rats at Home
6.Borax:
Scattering a dash of borax powder on your uncovered mattress, cracks in furniture or wall edges and corners can help you slow down the infestation. You can also fill up a spray bottle with some water and add borax to it. Sprinkling the solution on your mattress will cause the bed bugs to suffocate and eventually die. Washing all your clothes and bedding in hot water and borax is also a good remedy to get rid of any residues.
7.Rubbing Alcohol:
Rubbing alcohol helps in killing the insects by dissolving their cells away. When bed bugs come in contact with rubbing alcohol, their skin dries up, thus causing them to die. However, studies have indicated that this procedure is effective only 50% of the time owing to their increased activity during the night hour. Rubbing alcohol can also be a cause of fire hazard due to its flammable properties. It is always advised to go for a patch test beforehand.
8.Diatomaceous Earth:
To naturally and safely eliminate bed bugs, diatomaceous earth proves highly effective. Apply it in wall crevices, and between mattresses or furniture. This substance removes the bugs’ protective oily coating, leading to dehydration and death. Although this method is gradual, it’s potent over time, especially when used alongside other treatments. Remember to wear a mask during application to prevent inhaling fine particles.
Proactive Measures to Prevent Future Bed Bug Infestations
To ensure your home remains free from bed bugs in the future, it’s crucial to adopt proactive measures. Here are some key strategies:
- Regular Inspection: Frequently check areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, such as mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture crevices. Use a flashlight for better visibility.
- Maintain Cleanliness: Vacuum your home regularly, especially in bedrooms and living areas. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately after use to prevent any captured bed bugs from escaping.
- Clutter Reduction: Minimize clutter around your home to reduce hiding spots for bed bugs. Organize and store items neatly, particularly under beds and in closets.
- Mattress and Box Spring Encasements: Use protective covers for your mattress and box spring. These encasements can trap bed bugs inside, preventing them from feeding and reproducing.
- Hot Washing and Drying: Bed linens, curtains, and clothing should be washed in hot water and dried on the highest dryer setting. Heat is an effective method to kill bed bugs.
- Travel Precautions: Be vigilant when traveling. Inspect hotel rooms, especially beds and furniture, for signs of bed bugs. Keep your luggage off the floor and use luggage racks.
- Seal Cracks and Openings: Seal any cracks in walls and baseboards and around electrical outlets to block entry points for bed bugs into your home.
- Professional Inspections: Consider scheduling regular inspections by pest control professionals, especially if you live in an apartment complex or a bed bug-prone area.
By integrating these practices into your routine, you can significantly reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation and maintain a comfortable, bug-free home. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to bed bugs.
Bed bugs, tiny oval pests in brown or red, have troubled humans since ancient times. Identifying them is tricky; they hide by day and feed on blood at night. Signs of their presence include bite marks or blood stains. While home remedies offer some relief, modern chemical treatments are more effective. For a comprehensive solution in India, consider booking a professional exterminator through NoBroker’s website or app, ensuring efficient and thorough eradication
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs completely?
Ans. Ans. Different permanent solution for bed bugs have different timespans. Professional exterminators usually set up two appointments at the gap of two weeks.
Q2. How long does diatomaceous earth take to work against bed bugs?
Ans. Diatomaceous earth can take from a week to 17 days to work against bed bugs.
Q3. Are the bites caused by bed bugs harmful?
Ans. Usually, the bed bug bite is not considered a serious threat. Some people might not even notice any marks. However, some people might have allergic reactions that require medical attention.
Q4. Can bed bugs survive extremely cold temperatures?
Ans. No, just like high temperatures, bed bugs do not survive in an extremely cold environment as well. Any temperature below -18 C or 0 F for more than 4 days consecutively can kill bed bugs and hence, it’s considered a permanent solution for bed bugs.
Q5. Are bug bombs effective?
Ans. No, bug bombs are considered ineffective to permanently get rid of bed bugs as they are unable to reach hidden areas.
