Is Borax Effective For Bed Bugs?

When you were a kid, your parents must have used this familiar line on you, “sleep tight and do not let the bed bugs bite”. In your mind, you might think bedbugs are not real or just exists in storybooks but the fact is that bedbugs are actually all too real, and are usually difficult to get rid of. In this article, we will take a look at how to get rid of bedbugs and totally eradicate them.

Do I Have Bed Bugs?

If you suspect bedbug infestations but are not sure how to get rid of them, then you should did this.

Bedbugs bite their victims leaving behind red bite marks that are usually itchy. There are high chances that you have been bitten by bedbugs if you wake up early in the morning to see itchy red welts on your body. The bite marks could appear as rash-like, blotchy spots on the surface of the skin.

Bedbugs are very tiny creatures and this could make it difficult to identify them or even spot them with the naked eye. However, you might be able to tell their presence from their smell. They exude a peculiar smell of rotten fruits. Furthermore, they might leave dark brownish spots on your mattresses, bed sheets, pillows and pillow cases.

They are called “bed bugs” but the bed is actually not the only place they can be found in the home. Bedbugs also inhabits other structures and furniture in the home such as chairs and couches. If you are not careful, you may even transfer the bugs to your car, that is if you are carrying them on your body. This will make it even more difficult for you to get rid of them. The easiest and shortest way to get rid of bedbugs is by detecting them early. When you do detect them, do not go easy on them, strike fast and ensure that you strike hard.

Does Borax Kill Bed Bugs?

Borax is quite effective for bedbug treatment. Its modus operandi is by suffocating the bedbugs then finally killing them off. Before applying it, removing all bedding from the mattress then sprinkle a large amount of the borax all over the bed. Fill a spray bottle to the brim with water and spray all over the borax-covered mattress. This should work fine in suffocating and killing the bedbugs.

Another way to get rid of the bedbugs using borax is by washing the bed sheets or blankets infested with bedbugs with a mixture of hot water and borax.

What Other Methods Kill Bed Bugs?

Do you know some methods and practices have little or no effect on bedbugs? For instance, the use of bombs, foggers and traditional sprays will hardly get rid of them. Bugs are tiny and live deep inside the beds and bedding. You can see that foggers and sprays won’t be able to penetrate that deep to kill them. Therefore, don’t bother wasting your money and time on such bedbug eradication methods.

Here are couple of ways you can effectively eradicate bedbug infestation:

One of the ways is through the use of borax. You can sprinkle them on your carpet then, vacuum the carpet.

Another means is being doing away with the infested items like the bed or bed sheet and then buying new ones.

Subjecting them to very high or very low temperatures (e.g. washing the items in hot water or freezing them) also kills the bugs.

Diatomaceous earth is another substance that is effective in killing bed bugs. You can choose to sprinkle it in or out, leave it under your bed and furniture, underneath the bed and underneath the bed. It is an effective means of treatment and quite safe.

For irritating and persisting cases of bedbugs combining treatments such as steam treatment, borax and diatomaceous earth, is likely to produce better results. Using steam method might be effective, but combining the different methods will be more effective in completely getting rid of the bedbugs.

How Do I Avoid Bed Bugs?

You will definitely feel relieved when you finally get rid of those bugs. Use preventive methods to keep yourself and your home away from bed bugs. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth or borax regularly inside and outside your home. Ensure that your linens and bed sheets are clean and wash them regularly using hot water. As often as you can, use a steam cleaner to clean your furniture and use a mattress cover to cover your mattress and keep it away from bed bugs.

It is needful to keep your home clean. Be on the watch and have treatments available just in case of bedbug signs. If you are able to get rid of them, you can spot the signs when they come back. You should be prepared for the worst any time.