Bed Bug Exterminator | How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Without an Exterminator
Many people are very embarrassed if they get bed bugs. That’s often because they believe bed bugs infest dirty homes, but that simply isn’t the case. People are also simply embarrassed to have an infestation, even though anyone can bring home bed bugs when they go on vacations, staying in hotels, motels or even from a movie theatre. They are opportunistic and will hitch a ride in clothing or luggage from one family to another very easily.
However, if people are trying to take care of their bug problem without the help of a bed bug exterminator, there are several effective things they can do. Starting with getting rid of the existing bugs and their eggs, to cleaning and sanitizing the home, belongings, clothes and bedding. To helping ensure the home is well protected against future bed bug infestations.
Steps To Follow
The first step is to simply move your bed away from the walls and any other furniture. You should be aiming for a minimum of six inches from walls, nightstands, bookshelves, chairs and the like. Grab a bucket of hot, soapy water and clean the headboard and frame exceptionally well to get rid of any bed bugs that are still there. The next step is to grab your vacuum, and be very careful as you vacuum your bed frame, mattress and box spring before finally vacuuming the carpet or flooring in your bedroom, and most importantly, under and around your bed. You will want to vacuum these areas at least two to three times.
Next, vacuum all areas of your bedroom – the closet, your dresser drawers, the baseboards, vents, curtains. Bed bugs can get into everything! Once you’re done vacuuming, empty the filter bag or canister directly in your bedroom. A common way for bed bugs to be spread throughout the home is through the vacuum. So you will want to ensure there are no bugs on or in the vacuum that could hitch a ride anywhere else. Once you’ve emptied the canister or filter, seal the bag and take it outside, directly to the trash.
The third step is to purchase a mattress and box spring encasement specifically designed for bed bugs. They will have an extremely sturdy zipper, and will not have any holes or gaps that the extremely small bed bugs can wriggle into, or out of. Put the mattress and box spring cover on – it will isolate and starve any bed bugs, larvae or eggs that did not get vacuumed out. And it will prevent any new bugs from infesting the mattress. Once you cover the mattress and box spring, periodically inspect for any rips or tears whenever you change the sheets on your bed.
Once you have ensured your mattress and box spring are well protected, move to the fourth step, which involves laundering all your linens, curtains, and clothes. Remember that bed bugs can be resilient, so you should wash your items in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting to kill any bed bugs or eggs that might be hiding. Even smaller items like stuffed animals, throw pillows, and other soft toys should be subjected to a high-heat wash and dry cycle.
The fifth step is to use bed bug traps and monitors. Traps are devices that you place around the legs of your bed. They have a rough outer surface that allows bed bugs to climb in but a smooth inner surface that prevents them from climbing back out. Monitors are placed in corners, crevices, and dark places around the room to detect bed bug presence. Regularly check these traps and monitors, as they not only capture bed bugs but also indicate whether the infestation is ongoing.
In step six, consider the use of bed bug sprays and powders, which are typically available in pest control sections of most home improvement stores. Always use these products according to their instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness. Some sprays have residual effects that continue to kill bed bugs for weeks after application. Bed bug powders can be spread around baseboards, furniture, and bed frames to eliminate bed bugs as they crawl through it.
The final step in your extermination process is to be vigilant and consistent in your efforts. Remember, bed bugs are persistent, and a single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime. So, continually monitor your home for signs of infestation. Repeat the above steps as necessary until you are confident the bed bugs are completely gone.
Contact Bed Bug Control Experts If Needed
Getting rid of bed bugs without an exterminator can be a laborious process, but it is achievable. Remember to keep a keen eye out for signs of bed bugs in your daily life, like bites, fecal stains on your sheets, or tiny blood spots on your mattress. If you find signs of re-infestation, don’t be disheartened. Start the process over again, and remember to remain persistent. By consistently applying these steps, you can effectively control and eventually eliminate the bed bug infestation from your home.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. Try to avoid high-risk activities that might introduce bed bugs into your home, such as bringing in secondhand furniture without thoroughly inspecting it, or staying in infested hotels or other accommodations. Maintaining cleanliness and routinely inspecting your living spaces can also go a long way in preventing bed bugs from making a home in your space.
For expert bed bug removal contact the professionals at Major Pest Control Calgary. We will take out all the hassle of getting rid of bed bugs and make sure they are completely gone from your home. Give us a call or fill out our website form today.