How to get rid of bed bugs
The process of getting rid of bed bugs is by far not the easiest task you would have to do. In fact, it is a long and complex process with so many different options available. There is NO simple method to get rid of them; if there were, we would not face the problem to this day.
Yes, it is a long process to eradicate them but it is NOT an impossible feat.
Here are some ways you can use to control a bed bug infestation:
• Cleaning
Suffice it to say that if we keep our homes clean, we can be sure of a lower risk of infestation. Items such as bed covers, pillow covers, mattress covers, and comforters should be checked regularly for their presence. These items should be removed and washed at the highest possible temperature, as high temperatures can kill them. If you send your bedding to a dry cleaner, please remember to notify the dry cleaner so that your items can be washed separately. That way, you won’t risk infesting others with bed bugs as well.
• Vacuuming
Be sure to vacuum all the crevices in your house, especially around the bed. This method does not remove them completely; but it will help with some prevention before using other treatments. As you vacuum, remember to also use a scraper to scrape along your beds, carpets, and other hot spots for bed bugs. This will help dislodge bed bug eggs from their breeding ground for you to vacuum up. Empty the contents of the vacuum, including the bed bugs and eggs, into a sealed plastic bag and discard. If the items are large, they should be clearly labeled so that no one takes them home by mistake or recycles them.
• Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is approximately 70 percent by volume of concentrated pure ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). It is a flammable liquid so you should use it with caution. You can put some isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and apply it to the places where they tend to hide. You can follow the application with the scraper treatment to dislodge bed bug eggs along the way, much like the vacuuming process mentioned above. Alcohol will kill these bugs, including their eggs, on contact.
• Steam cleaning
This method is also used by most pest control companies and is by far the safest and most natural means of killing pests. You can choose to buy the steamer yourself, as the steamer can also be used to disinfect other household equipment. Before you buy the vaporizer, make sure that it can reach a temperature above 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Diatomaceous earth
This is a powder that can be used to kill bed bugs. After a few days, you will be able to see how it works. It works by attaching itself to these critters and dehydrating them. There are several categories of diatomaceous earth available, and some are toxic. Keep an eye out for food-grade ones that are safer to use at home. When applying them, be sure to put on a face mask and gloves at the very least. This is because inhaling some of these products could be dangerous.
• Mattress cover
Most people are wrong to think that this is just a preventative method. However, this can also be used to get rid of these critters, as the bed bug mattress cover can seal them in and prevent them from getting out of your mattress. In this way, they can be deprived of their food supply. If you decide to use the bed bug mattress cover, remember to cover the box springs, as bed bugs could also hide in the crevices.
• pesticides
There are natural and non-store pesticides. You can make various natural remedies yourself. Common chemical pesticides sold in stores have also seen limited effectiveness these days, as bed bugs seem to have developed a resistance towards them.
For more details, visit http://www.howtogetridofbedbug.com to get answers to your bed bug questions.