Bed Bug Infestation Problem

12 Easy and Effective Ways to Solve Bed Bug Infestation Problem

Getting rig of bed bug is never a day’s job, neither is letting them have their way the solution. Bed bugs reproduce at an alarming rate – one female bug alone lays hundreds of eggs in her life time. The bitter truth is, treating bed bug infestation is never an easy job. Treating infected upholstery with spray sporadically won’t cut it. The only solution to effective treatment of bed bug infestation is careful planning and a truck load of perseverance.

That said, here are easy but effective treatment for getting rid of these pesky critters once and for good.

1. Detecting their presence

Unless you know how bed bugs look like and their feeding pattern, getting rid of them is almost impossible. So, first thing first; know how a bed bug looks like; what they smell like. Typically, bed bugs have an oval shape the size of an apple seed, with a red-brown coloration. Also, they give off a musty smell similar to that of an almond. Blood stains on pillows and bed sheets is also indicative of their presence.

2. Thorough vacuuming

Vacuuming is one cost effective solution you can deploy against bed bugs. The secret here is thorough vacuuming. It’s not enough to vacuum just items in the living room and kitchen – vacuum every single piece of item in the bedroom as well. To vacuum items like books and picture frames, have them wrapped in a plastic bag before vacuuming.

3. Use hot water on them

Bed bugs live well on items like clothes, pillow cases, bed covers etc. One easy way to treat this infected items is by washing them with hot water. Essentially, what you would be doing is boiling the pesky critters. But there is a catch – bugs can survive hot temperatures. The only way to beat them to their game is by using extremely hot water. The water shouldn’t be less than 120F, else you would end up wasting your time. An alternative to hot water is hot steam, but you will need the help of a professional exterminator.

4. Mind where you visit

Bed bugs have travelled far and wide, and are present in cities as just as they are present in rural areas. Though wingless, they have managed to travel great distance due to their ability to clutch, unnoticed, to an unsuspecting victim. Buses, airplanes, taxis and even hotels are common places to pick them up. Should you find yourself spending the night in hotel, keep your luggage safe from bugs by stowing it away in a bathtub. Bugs dread slippery places like a bathtub. Another counter measure is to have your luggage sealed in a plastic bag. Always quarantine your home after hosting a guest. Hey, there is no such thing as being over careful – you just can’t afford to have a single bug lying around your home.

5. Avoid the use of bug bombs and sprays

Bed bugs have become increasingly resistant to sprays and common insecticides. So, using them could be a complete waste of time. Instead of throwing money in the air, seek the help of a professional exterminator.

6. Deploy Bug traps

If you have got the time, you can easily prepare bug traps right in the comfort of your home. A bug trap consists of dry ice and a trap. The dry ice makes them think a human – their source of food – is around.

7. Burn or discard irredeemable household items

There gets a time when it best to just let go of an infected mattress, couch or clothe rather than treating them of bugs. Only ensure the infested items are properly discarded else someone else could pick them up.

8. Diatomaceous earth powder to the rescue

There are few natural, harmless bed bug powder brand out there in the market. One of such brands is Nature’s Mace Bed Bug Powder. Though safe, it is recommended children and pets be kept away when applying the powder. For best result, apply the powder to places where bed bugs live in large numbers. Legs of furniture, cracks on the floor and picture frames are typical examples.

9. Enough of buying cheap item at yard auction sales

Buying household items at yard sales may seem cheap – only pray it has no bed bug on it. If it does, the cost of getting rid of them will be way greater than whatever you might have saved buying those cheap items.

10. Try several techniques at a time

Effective treatment of bed bug infestation requires the use of multiple techniques. Rather than using vacuuming alone, use bed bug powder along with it, and, perhaps, hot water treatment as well. Nature Mace Bed Bug killing powder has all you would need in a powder to kill off bed bugs.

11. Be consistent

Even when you are sure that all bugs have been killed, continue repeating the treatment at least once twice a month. Regular treatment is key to killing residual bugs as well as their eggs.

12. Don’t overlook cracks and holes

Bed bugs consider cracks and crevices on furniture as safe haven. You will also find them in large numbers beneath the surface of carpets, on electrical sockets, on clothes, curtains and beds. During treatment, ensure the bug powder you use gets to these places. Nature Mace bug killing powder works amazingly well, so do well to use it when treating your home of bed bug infestation.

One-off treatment hardly works on bed bugs – consistency and perseverance are what make effective treatment possible. Repeated treatment will incredibly enhance your chances of success, so be persistent.