According to testimonies from bed bug infestation victims, getting rid of these little vampires is tricky, and the very thought of these horrible bugs crawling over your body and sucking your blood in your sleep is nauseating to say the least. This article will tell you how to get rid of these monsters in a simple, inexpensive, non-toxic and effective way that doesn't require you to disinfect your mattress. This is a very useful method for those who cannot afford to change beds. In any case, even if you need to replace it, follow the advice given here, because bedbugs can also hide in other places in the house.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Remove the Clutter
Step 1. Tidy up the house in the best way.
It's always easier to find a problem and work in a clean environment. And don't assume that just because your house is dirty or untidy, that is the reason for your infestation. Bedbugs are epidemic, and prefer environments with warm, living bodies that they can feed on - including your pets. Your personal hygiene has nothing to do with their presence. These insects like to hide in laundry and beds, blankets and box spring mattresses. They will take refuge in the padding of the sofas and in the plaids, and in any other point they can reach. In most cases, they enter homes through holes, cracks or crevices.
Step 2. Clean everything thoroughly
- Wash all clothes, blankets, pillows, fabrics, etc. in the hottest water fabrics can handle, and use bleach if possible. A product that protects the colors would be ideal in this case.
- Vacuum and mop carpets and floors. Apply bleach first, then spray a solution of water and alcohol and mop. Use the solution on all surfaces that will not be damaged.
- If possible, seal anything you can't wash in airtight bags and take them out of the house. Expose them to extreme temperatures, without damaging the contents, to eliminate insects.
- If in doubt, throw away any items you think may still be haunted.
- If you can't seal some items, wash them with boiling or ice-cold water.
Part 2 of 4: Prevent Bedbugs from Climbing the Bed
Step 1. Isolate the bed from the wall
Move it so that it is not in direct contact with the wall. Put the mattress cover on the bed and, if it rests on a frame or is otherwise raised off the ground, cover the legs of the frame with petroleum jelly, if you can do it without damaging the material; bedbugs can't fly, so they have to crawl to get to your bed. If they find any petroleum jelly in their way, they will get stuck and you can remove it and reapply the product. For more tips, read How to Avoid Insect Bites While Sleeping.
- Make sure you keep your bed at least 30-60cm away from everything else, including nightstands, books, walls etc. It should only be surrounded by air.
- You can use special ring devices under beds with four legs. These devices have two rings inside; the bedbugs reach the outer one, coated with a fine dust (not to be inhaled) and remain stuck inside, unable to crawl on the slippery sides of the second ring, which protects the leg of the bed.
- Make sure the legs of the bed are high enough off the ground and cannot be reached by bed bugs.
- Make sure the blankets never touch the floor.
- Make sure you never put anything on the bed that was on the ground.
- Bedbugs can climb any object, then drop onto the bed. If your infestation is really severe, the bugs may even fall from the ceiling. In that case, you will need to call an exterminator.
Part 3 of 4: Get Rid of Bedbugs
Step 1. Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth over all holes, cracks, crevices, and all possible entry points for bedbugs
Diatomaceous earth is one of the most used ingredients for pest control against bedbugs; the flakes of the flour are microscopically sharp and pierce the thin, waxed exoskeleton of these nocturnal insects, causing dehydration and death.
Step 2. If you can handle it, apply an alcohol solution to your skin before bed until the infestation is over
You may also want to consider covering yourself more when you sleep. If you have long hair, you should tie or cover it, as bedbugs can hide there too. Do whatever it takes to stop these insects from getting on you! Although bedbugs are not carriers of disease and almost all people do not even notice their bites, others suffer from severe itching.
Step 3. Eliminate any bedbugs you see and be prepared to remove blood stains on blankets, or change them
Often you will notice the presence of bedbugs thanks to the small blood stains produced when you squeeze them by turning in bed. Search carefully in the folds of the blankets. The last bugs should die in about a week, two at the most. However, they could disappear even sooner; it all depends on the severity of the infestation.
Part 4 of 4: Securing the End of the Infestation
Step 1. Clean everything thoroughly, again
This will remove any remaining dead bedbugs and eliminate any eggs or insects that survived the first cleaning. You can easily suck them up with a vacuum cleaner.
Step 2. Wash all blankets, throws and pillow cases
Wash any items where bedbugs may be hiding.
Step 3. Purchase pillow and mattress protectors
You can't wash them in the washing machine, so wrap them in a bug-proof protective wrap that seals off any insects inside and prevents others from getting in.
Advice
- Against stings, use a spray with diphenhydramine. Calamine is not as effective.
- Put duct tape around the entire base of the bed and spread insecticide on the floor of the house.
- If you will be using insecticide, be sure to separate the mattress and box spring base, preferably by leaning them against a wall. Thus, the bedbugs will come out and, if the product does not work, you can kill them with concentrated alcohol or spray the mixture directly on the insects.
- Bedbugs die easily, but be careful when squeezing them - blood (probably yours) will come out.
* If you really need to use an insecticide, choose one based on diatomaceous earth, which requires 2 hours of application and 15 minutes of aeration, before it is safe to return. It is not very effective in killing bed bugs, but it does get them out of their hiding places. It is one of the safest treatments specifically for use in bedrooms.
- Calling an exterminator, sleeping with the lights on, smearing baby oil after applying alcohol, tying your hair, running petroleum jelly on the frame legs, and using tea tree oil are some effective ideas.
- Direct sunlight is a good way to get rid of bed bugs. Empty the closet and lay everything out: the insects will leave to crawl through the grass in search of shade. It is no small job, but it is perfect for those who do not want to kill organisms.
- Bed bugs feed at night, so you may want to hunt them down in the dark with the help of a flashlight. If you can, leave the light on for as long as possible before going to bed or don't turn it off at all, as this may decrease the chances of getting bitten.
Warnings
- This is one of the most unnerving infestations, because it is difficult to get rid of bed bugs. If the battle is beyond your abilities, it's best to call an exterminator.
- Be careful using diatomaceous earth around children and pets. Make sure you don't apply it where they can touch or inhale it. Applying it to cracks, baseboards and door crevices is safe, but check carefully for places that can be reached easily.
- If bedbugs keep coming out of the same mattress, throw it away, as it's not safe.
