Bed bugs are among the most notorious intruders in a home. Almost undetectable, these critters can infest your bed, furniture, and clothes in multiple ways. They attach themselves to luggage, clothes, bedding, and furniture and are typically transported from one place to another when people travel. A bed bug infestation is also difficult to get rid of as bed bugs can hide in nooks, crannies, and even fabric. They are also extremely resilient and survive bleach and washing sessions.
Once they’ve built their colony, they will begin to spread rapidly and bite the nearest person! For you to get rid of them, you’ll have to call an expert pest control provider that specializes in bed bug extermination. These specialists have the appropriate tools and methods to remove the bugs without damaging your belongings.
However, while you’re waiting for help to arrive, there are a variety of things you can do to prevent and control an infestation.
Top Tips to Control Bed Bugs
Once your home has been infested with bed bugs, you have to act as quickly as possible to stop them from further infiltrating other parts of your house. Controlling them on your own is possible, but it can be quite challenging.
You can always call a pest-proofing service to help you and do the following tips as a first emergency response:
- Verify the presence of bed bugs
If you haven’t experienced a bed bug infestation, then you might be unable to identify it right away. One of the most common FAQs about bed bugs is what they look like. They often resemble ticks and other insects and their bites often get mistaken for ants, termites, and fleas.
Adult bed bugs are typically 5 to 7 mm (3/16 to 1/4 of an inch) long, basically as large as an apple seed. Their bodies are long, brown, flat, and oval-shaped. It’s crucial to determine the exact type of insects you have since different pest infestations need different types of treatment.
You may have bed bugs if you see the following signs:
- Specks of blood – You’ll find these on beddings, mattresses, or upholstery.
- Sweet, musty odour – Bed bugs communicate via chemicals, which will produce this type of smell.
- Excrement – These are tiny, black specks you’ll find in the places they nest.
- Exoskeletons – Bed bugs moult and will leave translucent outer shells.
- Eggs = Bed bug eggs are tiny, white, and oval-shaped. You’ll find these in cracks and crevices.
If you’re having a difficult time telling whether you have bed bugs, it’s best to contact a pest control company.
- Don’t throw all your things
Throwing away all your belongings is a drastic response to a bed bug infestation. Doing so will only cost, not to mention the items you threw away may not have been infested at all.
Additionally, discarding these items (improperly) may spread the infestation if people pick them up and take them home. If you have the urge to dispose of your things, send them to an incinerator.
- Do not give out your belongings
Bed bugs can spread quickly due to their ability to adapt to different environments. Even throwing out infected bed sheets in the trash will not eliminate them. Also, they are excellent hitchhikers and will infect other homes if given the chance. This is all the more reason not to give or donate your belongings to others.
- Don’t opt for pesticides
Pesticides may seem like the best and perfect solution for bed bug control. However, an excessive amount of pesticide on your bed sheets, couches, furniture, and clothes can be harmful to your health.
Instead of grabbing a bottle of pesticide and spraying it on all your things, try an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that combines alternative ways of pest control to limit the household’s exposure to pesticides.
If you still want to use pesticides, contact an expert so they can help you choose which type is appropriate for your specific problem.
- Do not attempt to freeze bed bugs yourself
Bed bugs can’t stand the cold. It causes them to slow down their metabolism, which can lead to death. An effective way to kill bed bugs is to freeze them, and you might think that you can do this by simply turning down the thermostat and dropping the room temperatures to Arctic levels.
Unfortunately, doing it this way doesn’t ensure that the temperature will be constant throughout the space. Bed bugs in hiding may not be affected. You can try putting your things outside to freeze up during winter, but it can also increase the chances of having other types of infestations.
- Ask the professionals for help
The best way to deal with bed bugs is to get professional help. They can get rid of the bugs in the fastest and safest way possible without inflicting more damage on your home or health.
Tips to Prevent Bed Bugs
Preventing bed bug infestations can be difficult but possible. Here’s what you can do:
- Use the heat of the sun
Sun drying is the most effective way to prevent a full-blown infestation. Extreme heat kills bed bugs, so make it a habit to dry your sheets and clothes under the sun.
- Separate clothing items
Use 2 hampers for your clothing: one for the clothes you wear when going out and the other for the clothes you wear indoors. Never put these clothes together in the laundry.
You can never tell if a bed bug is just waiting to hitch a ride to your house from your friend’s house, workplace, or favourite cafe. - Vacuum regularly
Sweeping is not enough to get rid of bed bugs and dirt from your home. If you want to be thorough, use a vacuum when cleaning your furniture, bed frames, beds, and rugs. After vacuuming, carefully remove the bag and seal it immediately with tape.
- Reduce hiding places
A clutter-free house reduces the number of hiding spots for bed bugs and other pests
A cluttered home offers more places for pests to hide. If you want to keep bed bugs from settling in your home, avoid clutter, clear out unnecessary belongings, or go for the minimalist lifestyle. You can also use fully enclosed mattress covers against bed bugs that will cover up your bed nicely and keep bed bugs from setting up room and board.
- Change your sheets regularly
Dirty sheets are a favourite bed bug hiding spot. Make sure to clean and replace your sheets and covers regularly at least every 2 weeks, or use fully-enclosed bed bug mattress covers.
Preventing bed bugs from infiltrating your home is manageable. However, if they’ve already hitched onto your belongings, then you have to act quickly to control the spread.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, contact Pro Pest Corporation. Call us now at (416) 487-4179 for quick solutions to your pest problems.
