Pests like bed bugs are difficult to get rid of because they have become highly resistant to many pesticides. This resistance renders some bed bug killers ineffective against them. The frequent egg-laying of female bed bugs adds to the difficulty of eradicating them. Eliminating them on your own requires extensive knowledge and effort.
Bed bugs can nest in any building—single-family homes, apartments, business establishments, public transport, hotels, military barracks, or even movie theaters—where they can hunt for feeding sources. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bed bugs prefer to make their nests close to places where people are likely to sleep, such as bedding, mattresses, and comforter sheets.
If you want to address bed bug infestation, there are some home remedies that can be effective in killing these pests. Read below to learn some pest control methods you can do at home.
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Vacuum Mattresses, Bedding, and Soft Furniture
The spread of infestation can be slowed down by vacuuming; however, it cannot completely eliminate bed bugs from your bedding, mattress, or other soft furniture. Cleaning these high-risk areas can be a great first line of defense against bed bugs getting into your sleeping spaces.
Vacuums significantly reduce bed bugs and prevent them from populating your area. The University of Minnesota attests to this method, where thorough monitoring and routinely repeating the process will keep pest populations in check.
Install Bed Bug Interceptors
Bed bug interceptors are a cost-effective and non-chemical solution to prevent bed bugs from infesting your living areas. These interceptors, which look like cups with moats, are placed on the bed posts to trap bed bugs as they try to climb up into your sleeping spaces.
Using homemade interceptors placed under your bed frame, you can significantly reduce the bed bugs crawling onto your sheets and bedding. They are highly effective in detecting bed bug infestations, allowing you to determine the severity of the infestation.
It is recommended to place the interceptors in the most vulnerable areas possible. You should monitor the interceptors for at least seven days to gauge their effectiveness, as suggested by researchers from Healthy Housing Solutions.
While using bed bug interceptors may require time and effort, it is a practical and accurate way to deal with bed bug infestations without relying on chemical products. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it also offers great results.
Spray Residual Insecticide
You can also treat bed bug infestations with insecticides. Spray them with chemicals containing fenvalerate or imidacloprid. These chemicals kill bed bugs and their eggs after weeks of application. They’re still beneficial because they reduce the population of the bed bug colony. The only downside of this method is that you can only eradicate bed bugs for a short period. Thus, bed bugs will only return and make their colonies in your sleeping areas if not maintained with the proper scheduling.
Steam Your Furniture, Clothes, and Bedding
Bed bugs are pests that cannot withstand intense heat. Thus, steaming can quickly send away bed bugs populating your clothes, bedding, and sofas. Tools like a steamer can bring these parasites out of hiding on walls, couches, and other surfaces in your home. This way, inspecting if your home is already severely infested with pests will be easier.
Another way to address pest infestation at home is simply washing your mattress, pillowcases, bedding, and other bedroom necessities can help eradicate bed bugs in your bedroom. Although it helps, it doesn’t completely eliminate the bedbug infestation in one wash. It would be best if you were consistent in making them shoo away. It is advised to wash the bedding for at least 90 minutes at a high temperature of at least 60 °C.
Request Professional Bed Bug Treatment
The most effective approach to dealing with bed bug issues is to seek professional assistance. While the home remedies listed above may provide some relief, they do not guarantee optimal results. Consult a local pest control expert who can provide your home’s most effective bed bug treatment options, like a bed bug heat elimination system.
A pest control professional possesses the expertise and resources to efficiently eliminate bed bugs and ensure long-lasting results. Don’t hesitate to contact a trusted bed bug removal specialist to restore a pest-free environment in your home.
Lois Lane is a professional blogger and a seasoned Content writer for wellhousekeeping.com. With a passion for simplifying complex Home Decor topics, he provides valuable insights to a diverse online audience. With four years of experience, Lois has polished his skills as a professional blogger.
