12 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Permanently (FAQ Included)
Perseverance and determination is the key to get rid of bed bugs permanently. Bed bugs are pesky creatures that lay hundreds of eggs and disturb your much needed sleep. Therefore, simply treating your premises with a suitable bed bug removal treatment once or twice is not enough you need to repeat the procedure at least 3-4 times and, additionally, also follow an integrated approach to ensure eliminating all of the bugs, their eggs and larvae. Here are some of the easiest ways to get rid of bed bugs forever, by following a few simple steps and taking advantage of some effective natural home remedies.
The key to preventing bed bugs from spreading is being vigilant constantly. Make sure you know what bed bugs look like. Bed bugs are tiny brown insects that are smaller in size than an apple seed. You might also notice specific signs of bed bug activity, such as brownish red or rust colored stains as well as a sickly sweet odor comparable to almonds, around your bed area. You might even see discarded shells of bed bugs around the edge of the mattress.
Vacuum the house completely and not just the bedrooms where the bugs are typically found. Bed bugs tend to spread from room to room, so you must try to limit their spread by quarantining all items in the room being treated. You can do so by encasing the mattresses using special mattress encasements and also seal clothes, books, toys and photo frames in special plastic bags.
This is an easy way to get rid of bed bug eggs and larvae you literally boil the infested items in hot water. Wash all your clothes, linen, bed sheets and pillow covers in the washer-dryer operated at the highest heat setting. You can also dry the washed items outdoors in the sun. The key is to raise the temperature of the infested items to 120 F since bed bugs cannot withstand high temperatures. You can even place the bagged items inside a hot car during the summer, but you need to be sure that the temperature inside is at least 120 F to kill all bugs and larvae.
Bed bugs are increasingly common in metros in developed countries. You can unknowingly pick them up from trains, buses, airplanes and motels. Even swanky five star hotels are dealing with bed bugs. So, if you happen to be spending the night in one, you must avoid placing your luggage open on the bed or luggage rack. Instead, stow it away in the hotels bathtub since bed bugs avoid this area. You can also seal your luggage in plastic bags or trash bags, if needed. Also, if you happen to host guests at your house, make sure you clean up the guest room thoroughly after their departure.
Bed bugs are often resistant to pesticides, foggers or bombs. So this seemingly easy way to get rid of bed bugs may not work and might even harm your kids or pets, so try to avoid the use of chemical sprays and powders too and use home remedies to kill bed bugs naturally instead. If you feel the infestation has gotten out of hand, contact an exterminator company.
DE powder is safe and does not harm humans. However, it is best to keep children and pets away for the duration of the treatment whileusing it, as it can irritate the lungs. Apply the powder around furniture legs and sprinkle it liberally in headboards, inside box springs etc. The powder has sharp crystalline molecules which shred the bugs shell and insides and kills them instantly. This is an easy way to get rid of bed bugs naturally. You can also use diatomaceous earth to kill fleas.
Bed bug traps are readily available in the market or you could even make one at home. Place the trap around the beds legs so the bugs get trapped inside it and are unable to come out. Then remove the bed bugs from your home. Traps use dry ice or CO2, which fools the bugs into mistaking it for humans.
The easiest way to get rid of bed bugs that have infested mattresses and clothes and seem almost impossible to kill, is to simply discard the items. Bag them and mark them as Bed bug infested so other people do not pick them up.
Many victims of bed bug infestations pick up items from yard sales or at the roadside unknowingly. Avoid this at any cost to prevent the spread of bed bugs.
When it comes to getting rid of bed bugs permanently, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You need to be ever vigilant and use multiple approaches to solve the problem. For example, you can opt to get your carpets and sofas cleaned by professionals using steam vacuum cleaners, but you must also use diatomaceous powder or borax for bed bugs all around the house. Also, vacuuming and washing clothes in hot water are equally important steps in bed bug removal.
Whichever method of bed bug eradication you use, make sure you repeat it every 2-3 weeks. Just keep trying because eventually this will help you get rid of the larvae and eggs that could initially have escaped.
Bed bugs tend to hide in cracks and crevices of furniture, under the floor boards, inside carpets, in the lining of mattresses and sofas, on curtains, window sills, sockets or electrical outlets and so on. Do inspect these areas and seal all cracks with sealants or liberally sprinkle DE powder around them. This natural bed bug killer gets all the bugs that are trying to hide from you.
At first glance, it might not seem easy to get rid of bed bugs using a DIY approach. However, by diligently using the above steps, and most importantly, by repeating the treatment every few weeks, you can make sure you get rid of them permanently. By taking preventative precautions afterwards, like keeping your home squeaky clean at all times, the bed bugs will stay away from your home forever.
Before you start killing bed bugs, we have answered some of the most common bed bug questions.
When bed bugs bite you, they inject saliva into your skin. Many people will develop a rash from it. Some people can develop this rash anywhere from a few hours to days later. Rashes tend to develop if the bites are scratched often.
Bed bug bites look similar to flea bites. They are red and slightly raised. Bed bug bites often occur in rows. Its not uncommon to have three or four bites right next to each other. These bites can last for a couple of weeks. If you scratch them, it can take longer for them to go away.
Bed bug bites itch because of the puncture to the skin. They become irritated and itch. This may cause you to scratch the bite. Fortunately, bed bug bites cant be spread from scratching. However, they can become infected. This can cause them to get worse and scar.
You can treat bed bug bites by washing them with soap and water. This will cleanse the area and make them itch less. You can also apply a hydrocortisone cream. This over-the-counter-medication can greatly reduce how much your bed bug bites itch. Its best to try not to scratch bed bug bites. Scratching them can cause them to scar. This scarring may be irreversible.
A bed bug is a wingless insect that ingests blood as its food source. It feeds off of a host, such as a human. Bed bugs can live over five months without having a blood meal. If able to feed consistently, bed bugs can live over a year. If you find a dead bed bug, you may have live ones present. You need to consult an exterminator to inspect your home for live bed bugs.
With an oval-shape and a reddish-brown color, bed bugs are rather small. They are about the size of an apple seed, and adults tend to be about 0.18 inches long. Bed bugs have six legs and body hair.
The feces of a bed bug often appears in dark clusters. It can be black or rust colored. It may look like dots from a marker. If you find what looks like bed bug feces, you need to inspect the area thoroughly to see if you do in fact have a bed bug infestation.
A bed bug egg looks similar to a grain of rice. It is white, and you will usually see several of them clustered together. They are sticky and about 0.1 inches long. Female bed bugs can lay up to five eggs each day. It takes about 10 days for these eggs to hatch.
Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to get rid of bed bug eggs. Hot water can kill them. It needs to be at least 113F for the eggs to die. However, you will have to expose them to this temperature for at least 90 minutes. It will only take about 20 minutes to kill them if the water temperature is 118F or higher. If you find bed bugs eggs on an item that is small enough to fit in your bath-tub, fill the tub with hot water. Then, let the item soak for the appropriate amount of time. You should use a thermometer to make sure that the water is hot enough to kill the bed bug eggs.
Its very difficult to treat a bad bed bug infestation on your own. If you see a lot of feces or live bed bugs crawling around, the infestation is bad. During a bad infestation, its not uncommon to see them on the walls, in bed frames or curtains. Because female bed bugs can lay up to five eggs a day, a bed bug infestation can go from mild to bad very quickly.
The cost to have your home treated for bed bugs will depend on a number of factors. The severity of the infestation and the location of your home will influence the cost. Many bed bug treatments cost under $400. Before your home is treated, your exterminator will go over the costs with you.
After youve had your home treated for bed bugs, you should wash your linens. This will ensure that you arent using bedding that has had chemicals put on them. In many cases, you can return to your home about five hours after it has been treated for bed bugs. Your exterminator will let you know when its safe to go back inside.
Read more from the original source:
12 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Permanently (FAQ Included)
- Bed bugs infestations on rise in France: how to protect yourself - The Connexion - July 29th, 2025
- Got bed bugs crashing your guest room? - UC Agriculture and Natural Resources - July 29th, 2025
- Dayton makes 2 lists of top bed bug infested cities - Dayton Daily News - July 29th, 2025
- New surveys rank Dayton as one of the worst bed bug-infested cities in the U.S. - WHIO-TV - July 29th, 2025
- Seven signs bed bugs are infesting your home and the best ways to remove them for good - Chronicle Live - July 29th, 2025
- Want an All-Natural Way to Repel Bugs? Put One of These Houseplants in Your Kitchen Today - CNET - July 29th, 2025
- From Itchy Bites to Asthma Triggers: Why One UF/IFAS Scientist Studies Whats Bugging Us - Pest Control Technology - July 27th, 2025
- 4 Michigan cities among Americas worst for bed bugs: Is yours on the list? - MLive.com - July 27th, 2025
- Bed Bug Issue Reported on Disney Cruise Line, Theyre Likely All Over the Ship - disneydining.com - July 25th, 2025
- All about bugs: How to keep your family healthy from creepy crawlies that get too close for comfort - UCHealth - July 25th, 2025
- Bed bugs found in downtown Columbus office building home to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Comp. - The Columbus Dispatch - July 25th, 2025
- Bed bug spotted on the TTC - CityNews Toronto - July 23rd, 2025
- Bed bugs: What to know, how to treat them - WATE 6 On Your Side - July 23rd, 2025
- Target webinar takes bed bug treatment Beyond the Bite - Pest Management Professional - July 23rd, 2025
- How to Find Bed Bugs in the Daytime: 10 Easy Ways! - July 21st, 2025
- Midland resident upset with apartments after living with bed bugs - CBS7 - July 18th, 2025
- Detroit is now the third most bed bug-infested city in America, but theres free help available - MLive.com - July 18th, 2025
- Bed bugs: What to know, how to treat them - NewsNation - July 18th, 2025
- Rocky River Savers finds no evidence of alleged bedbugs, reopens - News 5 Cleveland WEWS - July 18th, 2025
- This 'gross' mattress delivery story is giving me nightmares and reminding me to always check the warranty - Tom's Guide - July 17th, 2025
- Bed bugs: What to know, how to treat them - WANE 15 - July 17th, 2025
- BASF's Adrian Culpepper on 10 Years of Working in the Field with PCOs - Pest Control Technology - July 15th, 2025
- Bed Bug Season Is Here, and These Cities Rank the Highest for Infestation - marthastewart.com - July 13th, 2025
- Fort Wayne Ranked In Top 50 Cities With Bed Bug Problems - wowo.com - July 13th, 2025
- 4 Michigan cities have a problem with bed bugs. What to know about the pests - Detroit Free Press - July 13th, 2025
- These Bed Bug Infestations Taking Over Suburban Homes Are Straight From Your Nightmares! - AOL.com - July 13th, 2025
- Bed Bugs Are Most Active Right NowThese Tips Will Help You Avoid Them - Better Homes & Gardens - July 13th, 2025
- Bed Bugs Are Most Active Right NowThese Tips Will Help You Avoid Them - Yahoo - July 11th, 2025
- Check your vacation rental, hotel for these unwanted guests: What to know about bed bugs - Treasure Coast News - July 11th, 2025
- Summer travel could lead to bed bugs. How to identify risks and avoid an infestation - The News Journal - July 11th, 2025
- Detroit Ranked Among Worst Cities for Bed Bugs in the US - One Green Planet - July 11th, 2025
- How to get rid of flying ants: An experts advice - AOL.com - July 11th, 2025
- Midnight movers: The hidden threat of bedbugs - Review Times - July 11th, 2025
- Wisconsin City Cracks Top Ten On Bed Bug Destination List - Duluth Country Radio - July 11th, 2025
- Bed bugs on the rise: Fort Wayne, South Bend among the worst cities in US - 21Alive - July 11th, 2025
- Bed Bug Season Is Here, and These Cities Rank the Highest for Infestation - AOL.com - July 11th, 2025
- 4 DIY pest control mistakes youre probably making and how to fix them - Country Living Magazine - July 11th, 2025
- This is the most hated bug in Florida, study finds - WKMG - July 11th, 2025
- Whats Behind the Surge in Emergency Room Visits This Summer? - 94.3 The Point - July 11th, 2025
- Toxicity of ivermectin to bed bugs (Cimex hemipterus) and risk factors associated with infestation in Kwale County, coastal Kenya - Parasites &... - July 9th, 2025
- 4 DIY pest control mistakes youre probably making and how to fix them - Yahoo - July 9th, 2025
- 11Alive News: The Take | Bed Bugs Still Biting Atlanta: What to Know (7/7/25) - 11Alive.com - July 9th, 2025
- The Real Dirt On The Difference Between Bugs And Insects - TwistedSifter - July 9th, 2025
- Bed sheets will only be free of bed bugs if washed at 1 specific temperature not 40C - Daily Express - July 7th, 2025
- Pest expert shares most effective method to get rid of bed bugs without chemicals - Daily Express - July 7th, 2025
- Malaysian scientists discover bed bugs can play role in forensic investigations - Asia News Network - July 7th, 2025
- Flint moves up on Orkins annual bedbug report, 3 other Michigan cities named - WNEM - July 5th, 2025
- Which New England cities are on Orkins list of worst bedbugs in 2025? - MassLive - July 5th, 2025
- Michigan has four of the most bed bug-infested cities in the entire country - MLive.com - July 5th, 2025
- Two Iowa Cities Make List Of Top 50 U.S. Bed Bug Cities - newsradio 1040 who - July 5th, 2025
- Malaysian scientists discover bed bugs can help in forensic investigations - The Straits Times - July 5th, 2025
- The Bed Bugs Are Back In Town, And One MN City Is Feeling The Bite - Quick Country 96.5 - July 5th, 2025
- Two Texas Cities in Top 10 of Worst in U.S. for Bed Bugs - KPEL 96.5 - July 5th, 2025
- This unseen pest is wreaking major havoc on homes across MS - Biloxi Sun Herald - July 5th, 2025
- Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, And Lansing Face A Bedbug Crisis - 1077 WRKR - July 3rd, 2025
- Avoid These 50 Cities with the Most Bed Bugs in 2025 - 24/7 Wall St. - July 3rd, 2025
- Chicago Isnt Just the Rattiest City in the U.S.Its the Bed Buggiest Too - Secret Chicago - July 3rd, 2025
- The worst cities for bed bugs in 2025? These Ohio cities made Orkins new list - Cleveland.com - July 3rd, 2025
- Are bedbugs a growing problem in Cedar Rapids? - thegazette.com - July 3rd, 2025
- Richmond ranks 28th amongst cities with bed bug infestation issues - WRIC ABC 8News - July 1st, 2025
- Indiana City Ranked 5th Worst in U.S. for Bed Bugs - 99.5 WKDQ - July 1st, 2025
- The travel mistake everyone makes that puts you at risk of SCABIES, expert warns - Daily Mail - July 1st, 2025
- Chicago named America's most bed bug-infested city for another year - NBC 5 Chicago - July 1st, 2025
- Seoul wrestles with how to handle invasion of lovebugs | South Korea - The Guardian - July 1st, 2025
- Cities Plagued by Bed Bugs and Treatment Options - cleanlink.com - July 1st, 2025
- Chicago Tops Orkin's 2025 Bed Bug Cities List Again as Unexpected Cities Climb the Ranks - PR Newswire - July 1st, 2025
- More Than 100,000 Bed Bugs Found in Massachusetts Apartment - How to Spot Bed Bugs Early - 97.5 WOKQ - July 1st, 2025
- Where Are Bed Bugs Most Common? 10 Countries with the Worst Infestations in 2025 - Pulse Nigeria - July 1st, 2025
- Discover 10 Solutions that Kill Bed Bugs Permanently - AOL.com - July 1st, 2025
- 'Disturbing' find in hoarder's flat teeming with 100,000 bed bugs - The Mirror - June 29th, 2025
- 'Disturbing' find in hoarder's flat infested with 100,000 bed bugs that are spreading - The Mirror US - June 29th, 2025
- Know before you travel: Worst bed bug cities in Florida, how to identify and prevent them - Tallahassee Democrat - June 27th, 2025
- Brookline condo is filled with bed bugs, and they're spreading to other units - NBC Boston - June 27th, 2025
- Boston makes list of most infested cities in the U.S. Here's where it landed - The Patriot Ledger - June 27th, 2025
- Entire Boston condo complex on notice after 100,000 bed bugs found in unit occupied by hoarder: Its disturbing - The Independent - June 27th, 2025
- Disturbing': 100K bed bugs believed to be in Brookline condo as infestation spreads - NBC Boston - June 27th, 2025
- Dealing with bed bugs: Prevention, removal, and mistakes to avoid - The Indian Express - June 27th, 2025
- Entire Boston condo complex on notice after 100,000 bed bugs found in unit occupied by hoarder: Its disturbing - inkl - June 27th, 2025
- Pensioners 'living in fear' amid bed bug infestation at sheltered housing - Ardrossan Herald - June 27th, 2025
- How to check for bedbugs now that summer travel season is here - Bergen Record - June 27th, 2025