Having bed bugs in your home is one of the most unpleasant experiences you can have. It can cause sleepless nights and make you feel like you live in an infested house. They can also cause many health problems, from skin rashes to allergic reactions. So understanding how to get rid of bed bugs is essential.
This article will discuss a comprehensive guide to help you eliminate bed bugs. In addition, we’ll also look at the best ways to prevent these bugs from entering your home.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that live and feed on human blood. They are most active at night when people sleep, but they can also be active during the day. Bed bugs do not fly, but these bugs can also move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings.
Bed bugs like to hide in warm places near where people sleep. They can stay inactive for several months without feeding and are very hard to get rid of. Most bed bugs are found in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. They have made their way to the United States and Canada by hitching a ride on luggage or in cargo containers.
Bed bugs are usually found in mattresses, bed frames, and other furniture, but they can also be found in cracks and crevices in walls and floors. They feed on human blood and can live for several months without feeding. Bed bugs can also reproduce quickly and lay hundreds of eggs in a short period.
How to identify and inspect for bed bugs
If you suspect you suffer from a bed bug infestation, it’s essential to inspect your home for any signs of the bugs. Some common symptoms of an infestation include minor reddish-brown bugs, small black spots on bed sheets, a sweet, musty odor, and dark stains on mattresses and furniture.
Bed bugs can hide in small crevices and cracks, so it’s essential to inspect your home thoroughly. You should also check for signs of eggs and larvae, which can be found in mattresses, furniture, and other areas.
If you find signs of bed bugs, it’s essential to act quickly. The sooner you treat an infestation, the easier it will be to eliminate the bugs.
8 Best Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
1. Use natural repellents
Natural repellents are an excellent method to get rid of bed bugs. For example, you can use cedar wood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, or rosemary essential oils.
Just place four to six drops in a spray bottle of water and spray around your home to repel these pesky insects. – You can also use baking soda to repel bed bugs.
Sprinkle it around your furniture and baseboards to prevent these insects from entering your home. You can also eliminate bed bugs in your garden by growing chives, catnip, clove, garlic, and mint. In addition, you can also try sprinkling a few bay leaves in your garden to repel these insects.
2. Encase your mattress
Another excellent non-chemical treatment to help you eliminate bed bugs is to encase your mattress.
To do this, take a large plastic bag and lay it flat. Then, place your mattress inside the bag, zip it up, and seal it with duct tape. Once the bag is sealed, you can put it outside in the sun.
The sun’s UV rays and heat will kill the bag’s bed bugs. Alternatively, you can put the bag in a large oven and set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Please leave it in the oven for around 30 minutes. This should also kill the bed bugs inside the bag.
After you’ve encased your mattress, ensure you thoroughly clean and vacuum your room.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner
Another great non-chemical solution is to use a vacuum cleaner. If you find bed bugs in your home, use a handheld vacuum cleaner to vacuum every room.
Make sure that the bag is removed from the vacuum cleaner and that you dispose of it immediately. You don’t want to risk bringing those insects back into your home after vacuuming them.
You can also use the crevice attachment on your vacuum cleaner to eliminate bed bugs hiding in tight spaces like your bed frame or under the couch.
If you’re looking for an extra boost against bed bugs, you can also purchase a bed bug vacuum cleaner. These vacuum cleaners have been specially designed to get rid of bed bugs.
They have a unique HEPA bag that can be discarded after every use. This helps to prevent the bed bugs from escaping and re-infesting your home.
4. Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is a natural treatment to help you eliminate bed bugs. To do this, you’ll need to use a steam cleaner to clean all the crevices and joints in your furniture thoroughly.
You can also clean your home’s curtains and soft furnishings with a steam cleaner. This can help to prevent these insects from re-infesting your home.
After you’ve steam cleaned your furniture, make sure that you thoroughly vacuum the furniture. This will help to prevent the bed bugs from re-infesting your home.
5. Cold treatment
Cold can also help you get rid of bed bugs. This is best for items such as bags, clothing, books, or other smaller items that can’t be placed in an oven.
You can use this treatment by placing your bed bug-infested items in plastic bags. Then, seal the bags with duct tape and put them in your garden or a cold place like a garage or basement.
The cold temperatures will kill the bed bugs, and you can dispose of the bags. This can be a great way to eliminate bed bugs that have invaded your home.
Another benefit of this treatment is that it won’t cost you anything. You must seal your bed bug-infested items in a plastic bag and put them outside.
6. Heat treatment
You can use this treatment by placing your infested items in an oven. Set the range to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and leave the things there for half an hour.
Another option is to place a large bag of your bed bug-infested items outside in the sun. The heat from the sun will kill the bed bugs, and you can seal the bag and throw it out.
Another benefit of using a heat treatment is that it’s cheap. You don’t need to spend more money on special chemicals or equipment. All you should do is place your bed bug-infested items in an oven, seal them in a bag, and put them outside in the sun.
7. Tea tree oil bed bug spray
As a natural insect repellent, tea tree oil is effective as a synthetic product but without the potential side effects.
To use tea tree oil to keep bed bugs away, prepare a spray bottle of water, then add a few drops of the essential oil. Mix the ingredients, and then spray the mixture on your bed sheets before sleeping to keep these pests away. You can add tea tree oil to coconut oil or aloe vera gel to create a DIY acne cream or moisturizer.
8. Baking soda
Baking soda is another standard household product that has a variety of uses. It can be used as a scrub for cleaning floors, bathrooms, and counters. It can also be used to treat bed bug bites and soothe skin.
In addition, it can also be used to eliminate bed bugs. Baking soda is highly alkaline and will cause severe burns to bed bugs’ exoskeletons. Sprinkle baking soda on your shoes and clothes to keep bed bugs out of your home.
Advantages of non-chemical treatments
Non-chemical treatments are a great alternative to chemical pesticides. They are a safe and effective way to get rid of bed bugs. Unlike pesticides, these non-chemical treatments don’t need to be applied directly to insects. Instead, they are used for your furniture, curtains, and other soft furnishings.
They also have a shorter exposure time compared to pesticides. This means that they will kill the bed bugs more quickly. Non-chemical treatments are also more eco-friendly compared to pesticides. They are safer for the environment and won’t pollute our water supply.
Another great thing about these non-chemical treatments is that they can be used to get rid of other pests and insects, such as fleas and roaches. You can repurpose the same methods to get rid of different problems.
Chemical treatments for bed bugs
You may need chemical treatments if non-chemical treatments aren’t enough to eliminate the bed bugs. Chemical treatments are usually more effective than non-chemical treatments and can help rid bugs faster.
Chemical treatments for bed bugs include sprays, dust, and foggers. Reading the label and following the instructions carefully when using chemical treatments is essential. Chemical treatments can be toxic to humans and pets, so taking the necessary precautions is vital.
How to Prevent Bed bugs in the future?
You can use simple tips and tricks to prevent bed bugs in your home.
First, vacuum your home thoroughly. This will help remove any eggs or larvae the bed bugs may have left behind. It will also help to remove any dirt and dust that may contain bed bug eggs.
Next, thoroughly wash all the bedding and clothing. You will also need to clean curtains and soft furnishings infested with bed bugs. This will help to remove any eggs and larvae.
You should also keep your bedding and clothing clean and free of dust and dirt. Wash your clothing and linens in hot water (at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill bed bugs or eggs. Then place all items in a dryer for at least 30 minutes.
In addition, Bed bugs can also easily hitch a ride on used furniture and mattresses, so checking for any signs of an infestation before bringing them into your home is essential.
Professional bed bug extermination services
If you’ve tried all the preventative measures and chemical treatments but still have a bed bug infestation, you should call a professional.
Professional bed bug exterminators can help identify the source of the infestation and develop an effective treatment plan. In addition, they can also help identify areas that may be at risk of a future infestation.
Conclusion
Getting rid of bed bugs may be difficult and tedious, but it’s essential to take the necessary steps to ensure the bugs are gone for good. With the right strategies, you can eliminate bed bugs and keep them from returning.
