The last two weeks I have had two separate calls on problems with bed bugs. While bed bugs may sound like a death threat if you have them, they can be controlled with the correct measures. These little insects are found worldwide in all living situations. The following article was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency:
1. Make sure you really have bed bugs, not fleas, ticks or other insects.
You can compare your insect to the pictures on our Identifying bed bugs web page or show it to your local Extension agent. (Extension agents are trained in pest control issues and know your local area.)
2. Dont panic!
It can be difficult to eliminate bed bugs, but its not impossible. Dont throw out all of your things, because most of them can be treated and saved. Throwing stuff out is expensive, may spread the bed bugs to other peoples homes and could cause more stress.
3. Think through your treatment options Dont immediately reach for the spray can.
Be comprehensive in your approach. Try other things first. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques may reduce the number of bed bugs and limit your contact with pesticides. If pesticides are needed, always follow label directions or hire a professional. There is help available to learn about treatment options.
4. Reduce the number of hiding places clean up the clutter.
A cluttered home provides more places for bed bugs to hide and makes locating and treating them harder. If bed bugs are in your mattress, using special bed bug covers (encasements) on your mattress and box springs makes it harder for bed bugs to get to you while you sleep. Leave the encasements on for a year. Be sure to buy a product that has been tested for bed bugs and is strong enough to last for the full year without tearing.
5. Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor.
This reduces the number of bed bugs. Bed bugs and their eggs can hide in laundry containers/hampers Remember to clean them when you do the laundry.
6. Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bed bug control.
While freezing can kill bed bugs, temperatures must remain very low for a long time. Home freezers may not be cold enough to kill bed bugs; always use a thermometer to accurately check the temperature. Putting things outside in freezing temperatures could kill bed bugs, but there are many factors that can affect the success of this method.
7. Kill bed bugs with heat, but be very careful.
Raising the indoor temperature with the thermostat or space heaters wont do the job. Special equipment and very high temperatures are necessary for successful heat treatment. Black plastic bags in the sun might work to kill bed bugs in luggage or small items, if the contents become hot enough. Bed bugs die when their body temperatures reach 45C (113F). To kill bed bugs with heat, the room or container must be even hotter to ensure sustained heat reaches the bugs no matter where they are hiding
8. Dont pass your bed bugs on to others.
Bed bugs are good hitchhikers. If you throw out a mattress or furniture that has bed bugs in it, you should slash or in some way destroy it so that no one else takes it and gets bed bugs.
9. Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites.
Thorough vacuuming can get rid of some of your bed bugs. Carefully vacuum rugs, floors, upholstered furniture, bed frames, under beds, around bed legs, and all cracks and crevices around the room. Change the bag after each use so the bed bugs cant escape. Place the used bag in a tightly sealed plastic bag and in an outside garbage bin.
10. Turn to the professionals, if needed.
Hiring an experienced, responsible pest control professional can increase your chance of success in getting rid of bed bugs. If you hire an expert, be sure its a company with a good reputation and request that it use an IPM approach. Contact your state pesticide agency for guidance about hiring professional pest control companies. Also, EPAs Citizens Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety provides information about IPM approaches, how to choose a pest control company, safe handling of pesticides, and emergency information.
If you would like more information, you can visit the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs.
Elysia RODGERS is the
agriculture and natural resources director for the Purdue University Cooperative ExtensionService in DeKalb County.
Read more:
Top ten tips to stop or prevent bed bugs - KPCNews: Kpcnews - KPCnews.com
- Bed Bug Spray - March 16th, 2011 [March 16th, 2011]
- SUSAN MICHELLE'S COMPASS: Hygimist Bed Bug Spray - April 1st, 2011 [April 1st, 2011]
- Bedlam Bed Bug Spray - April 1st, 2011 [April 1st, 2011]
- Topia Organic Pesticide Bed Bug Spray - April 2nd, 2011 [April 2nd, 2011]
- Bed Bug Thermal Treatment Private Home by A3 Superior Pest Control - April 3rd, 2011 [April 3rd, 2011]
- Bed Bug Spray?Get The Most Effective Bed Bug Spray Free - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs Mattress - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Organic Bed Bug Spray (Topia) - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- How To Apply Bedlam Bed Bug Spray - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- Bed Bug Awareness - June 1st, 2011 [June 1st, 2011]
- Bed Bug Control: Professional Bed Bug Spray - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- Bed Bugs Spray | Bed Bugs Spray - Safe for Humans and Pets - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- Bed Bug Spray - Educational Series - June 26th, 2011 [June 26th, 2011]
- Bed bug Infestation | Things you dont want to see, Bed bugs out of control - July 6th, 2011 [July 6th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Spray | Bed Bug Spray for your Bed - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- EpestSolutions: JT Eaton Bed bug Spray for Luggage - August 12th, 2011 [August 12th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Sprays Is usually Poisonous or Might be Eco-friendly Which one Would You Demand - August 15th, 2011 [August 15th, 2011]
- Bed bug on site spray - September 2nd, 2011 [September 2nd, 2011]
- 44X Bedbug Repellent - September 12th, 2011 [September 12th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Control Product - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bug 911 100% Green Exterminator That Kills Bed Bugs On Contact - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- How To: Treating and Getting Rid of Bed Bugs at Home - September 30th, 2011 [September 30th, 2011]
- JT Eaton's Red Label Kills Bed Bugs Contact Killer Spray - October 1st, 2011 [October 1st, 2011]
- best bed bug spray - October 1st, 2011 [October 1st, 2011]
- Bed Bugs Spray | Bed Bugs Spray - Application - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- How to Kill Bed Bugs Professionally (w/ Liquids/Sprays) - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- bed bugs infestation - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- JT Eaton's Blue Label Kills Bed Bugs II Contact Killer Spray - October 7th, 2011 [October 7th, 2011]
- JT Eaton's Bed Bug Control For Luggage and Mattresses - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Patrol Natural Treatment - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs Spray | Bed Bugs Spray Non Toxic - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Integrity Bed Bug Solutions - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Bed Bug FAQ's from Sentry Pest Control Specialist - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Apply insecticide spray to kill bed bugs - Video - October 24th, 2011 [October 24th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Control NJ - How To Control Bed Bugs? - Video - October 28th, 2011 [October 28th, 2011]
- Orgomex - Bed Bug Solutions - Video - November 11th, 2011 [November 11th, 2011]
- KILL BED BUGS NATURALLY WITH CEDAR BUG FREE.wmv - Video - November 21st, 2011 [November 21st, 2011]
- Non-Toxic : Testing in Car Non-Smell Spray for BedBugs Call: 050-9234000 - Video - November 22nd, 2011 [November 22nd, 2011]
- Bed Bug Travel Spray - Video - November 23rd, 2011 [November 23rd, 2011]
- Kill Bed Bugs Naturally - Video - November 26th, 2011 [November 26th, 2011]
- A Total Approach with Bed Bug Control Products from FMC - Video - December 13th, 2011 [December 13th, 2011]
- A bed bug job (Sentry Pest Control) - Video - December 13th, 2011 [December 13th, 2011]
- How i treated my bed bug problem, simple way to kill bed bugs - Video - January 7th, 2012 [January 7th, 2012]
- Bed Bug Spray That's Bed Bug Exterminators Little Secret - Video - January 7th, 2012 [January 7th, 2012]
- Bed Bug Spray That Is Not A Pesticide - Video - January 7th, 2012 [January 7th, 2012]
- Hotshot actually kills bed bugs - Video - January 10th, 2012 [January 10th, 2012]
- Bed Bug Exterminators Bed Bug Killer - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- W-B school sprayed for bed bugs - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- Selleck RA: Housing asked me to lie about bedbugs - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- UNL Housing cooperation during bedbug situation raises concerns - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- P Diddy,Jay Z,Beyonce And Drake-Please Buy Crazy Rockin Ronny Some Bed Bug Spray - Video - February 6th, 2012 [February 6th, 2012]
- NYC Housing Court Kills Bed Bugs - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- "Bed Bug Exterminator" Webinar Released For Bed Bug Sufferers From BedBugExterminator911.com - February 13th, 2012 [February 13th, 2012]
- BED BUGS: Apartments in Des Moines experiencing a bed bug infestation - February 13th, 2012 [February 13th, 2012]
- Some GAR rooms to be treated for bed bugs - February 18th, 2012 [February 18th, 2012]
- This Is What It Takes To Get Kicked Out Of The Cheapest Hotel In Manhattan - February 18th, 2012 [February 18th, 2012]
- Bedbug Shredder Non-Toxic BedBug Treatment Is A First Line Of Defense Against Bedbugs Says New Planet Amazing Report - February 20th, 2012 [February 20th, 2012]
- 2 bed bugs found after GAR sprays - February 23rd, 2012 [February 23rd, 2012]
- MANVILLE: Police blotter for Feb. 13-19 - February 23rd, 2012 [February 23rd, 2012]
- FD: Bed bug home remedy caused fire - February 26th, 2012 [February 26th, 2012]
- Cleveland safety forces battling bedbugs - March 3rd, 2012 [March 3rd, 2012]
- How to Cure Bed Bugs - The Answer Is Surprising Says New Report from Planet Amazing - March 8th, 2012 [March 8th, 2012]
- New Hanover Courthouse Denies Bed Bug Infestation, Still BedBugControl911.com Suggests the Purchase of Green Bed Bug ... - March 11th, 2012 [March 11th, 2012]
- Connecticut Lawmakers' Bill Mandates Expensive Bed Bug Treatment, BedBugControl911.com Offers Less Costly Solution - March 13th, 2012 [March 13th, 2012]
- Bed Bugs Crawl Into Cleveland Water Division, BedBugControl911.com Suggests Pesticide Exempt Solution for Safe Treatment - March 13th, 2012 [March 13th, 2012]
- Mother Wins Bed Bug Case, Gets $225,000 for Damages; BedBugControl911.com Offers Other Bed Bug Sufferers Inexpensive ... - March 22nd, 2012 [March 22nd, 2012]
- Pest Control Company Releases Top 50 Bed Bug Infested US Cities, BedBugControl911.com Offers Residents Green Help - March 22nd, 2012 [March 22nd, 2012]
- Two Men Set House on Fire in an Attempt to Get Rid of Bed Bugs, BedBugControl911.com Suggests a Safer Bed Bug Treatment - March 23rd, 2012 [March 23rd, 2012]
- Bed Bugs Seen at Riley Hospital for Children, BedBugControl911.com Suggests Safe Bed Bug Spray to Solve the Problem - March 27th, 2012 [March 27th, 2012]
- Bed Bug Bites Scare Plane to Lock Down, BedBugBully.com Discloses Pieces About the Incident - May 3rd, 2012 [May 3rd, 2012]
- POLICE BRIEFS: Bed-bug infested mattresses dumped at apartment complex, woman walks in on burglar - May 3rd, 2012 [May 3rd, 2012]
- Safe Way to Clear Bed Bugs Away? BedBugBully.com Introduces the Pesticide-Exempt Bed Bug Spray - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- Sioux Falls Takes Steps to Prevent More Bed Bug Cases, BedBugBully.com Though Suggests to Ditch the Use of Chemicals - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- All Natural Bed Bug Solution Driven by Consumer Demand and Science - May 23rd, 2012 [May 23rd, 2012]
- Cleveland police to carry bed bug spray - June 7th, 2012 [June 7th, 2012]
- Bed bug infestation tied to GJ property mgmt. company - June 7th, 2012 [June 7th, 2012]
- Landlord will clean tenants' mess - June 15th, 2012 [June 15th, 2012]
- Bed bugs, pets, and travel - June 16th, 2012 [June 16th, 2012]
- New Bed Bug Bully Spray Promises Easy Bed Bug Treatment with Big Savings - June 27th, 2012 [June 27th, 2012]