How to Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Dealing with Bedbugs
Bedbugs are growing in notoriety and becoming more and more common in hotels and motels around the world. How to effectively get rid of them has therefore become a common topic of discussion in the news and in periodicals. These little blood suckers can easily hitchhike on your clothes or even your body and make it into your home. Bedbugs aren’t just disgusting and annoying, they can cause several health problems. Allergies to them are common and their bites cause painful blisters. If you discover an infestation, you’ll certainly be in the market for an effective technique for eradicating them. It’s not easy to do, but it’s not impossible, and certainly worth the effort.
Initial Preparations
When you discover an infestation, the first thing to do is thoroughly clean the area. This especially means removing anything that can give them shelter and provide places to hide. Some culprits are area rugs, old clothes and even toys like stuffed animals. If you don’t want to discard them, wash them thoroughly. This will get rid of both the bedbugs and their eggs. You can prevent re-infestation by storing the items in sealed plastic bags. Items hanging on the wall such as clocks and poster also provide refuge for the pests. Remove the items during the cleaning process. Once the room is as bare and free of hiding places as possible, the next step is to seal off the entry routes. This means sealing cracks, windows and doors. The mattress is the next step. If the mattress has holes in in where the bugs can enter, it will be all but impossible to rid it of the creatures and you’ll probably need to replace it. If the mattress appears to be in good condition, you can leave in in the room during the treatment.
Main Treatment
The most common and a very effective treatment is to use insecticides, either natural or chemical. Find an insecticide that is effective against bedbugs. Most will either be in aerosol form or dust. To be extra sure of an effective treatment, use both. They are each better suited for some areas or others. The dust is also more effective long-term. Spread the insecticide around the room, paying special attention to dark areas where they like to hide, such as under the bed. Make sure to spread the dust around the baseboards and around and under furniture. Wait about a week and repeat the process. Wait one more week and perform a final dusting and spraying. Make sure that you also treat under the mattress and in closets where clothes and luggage have been stored.
Alternate Treatments
There are several other treatments available that are also effective if you prefer not to use the insecticides. A couple common treatments include heat treatment and suffocation, both of which must be performed by professional exterminators equipped with the necessary tools. An extensive collection of procedures, information about the various methods, tips and preventative products are available on the how to kill bedbugs page.