![]() When it comes to how to prevent bed bugs from reinfesting the home, you’ll want to check the mattress every few days and reapply treatment if necessary. ![]() Photo: STEP 5: Prevent any future bed bug infestations.īed bugs are hardy insects, and it can take a few months to get rid of them for good. Exterminators are experienced with stubborn bed bug infestations and can identify the best course of action in an individual home. Every home is different, so there is not always a one-size-fits-all solution for pest control. If the bed bug problem is severe, it may be best to hire one of the best bed bug exterminators like Orkin, Terminix, and Ehrlich Pest Control. Desiccants work by permeating the bugs’ protective outer shell and also tend to be nontoxic. Another option is to try sprinkling a desiccant like diatomaceous earth onto the bed and vacuuming it up. Insecticides such as pyrethrins or pyrethroids are popular since they are effective but generally not harmful to people or animals. In some cases, it may make more sense to try a chemical mattress treatment for bed bugs. Bed bugs on the outside will not be able to penetrate the cover, and any bugs inside the mattress will starve. The mattress itself can be treated with a steamer, although the steam must reach a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit to be effective.Īnother option is to use one of the best bed bug mattress covers, which fits over the mattress and seals the bugs inside. Any bedding that cannot be washed in hot water can be put in the freezer for 3 or 4 days, which effectively freezes the bugs to death. Bed bugs cannot survive in extreme heat or cold. What kills bed bugs on a mattress? One of the simplest ways to kill the pests is to use temperature as a tool. ![]() STEP 4: Kill the bed bugs with chemical or nonchemical treatments-or by hiring a professional bed bug exterminator. You’ll want to be careful not to inadvertently transfer the bugs to another room as you’re moving items and putting things away. This can also include scoping the room for cracks in walls and flooring and sealing them with caulk. The key is to minimize the number of places for the bugs to take shelter when the treatment is applied. Pick up any clutter or trash from the floor as well. If any of the clothes cannot be washed in hot water, stick them in the freezer in a plastic bag for a few days to kill off the bugs. If there are any piles of clothes or linens on the floor surrounding the mattress, throw them into the washing machine, ideally washing them with hot water. Once everything has been vacuumed, the next step is preparing the affected areas for treatment. Be sure to check the surrounding floor and any nearby furniture in addition to the mattress. While bed bugs are best known for infesting mattresses and bed frames, they’ll nestle in anywhere that provides them with shelter and easy access to people and pets to feast on. If the infestation is severe, there may also be a musty smell in the affected area, as bed bugs will emit pheromones when they are threatened. Bed bugs are especially fond of burrowing in seams, fabric folds, and corners of furniture. There are plenty of other bugs that look like bed bugs, but if the insects are concentrated on the mattress and you have been experiencing bites, bed bugs are more than likely to be the culprit.Īs you search, pay attention to cracks and crevices. There may also be visible eggs, droppings, shed skins, or tiny blood spots from where the bugs have been crushed. Here’s how to tell if you have bed bugs: Look for clusters of tiny, flat brownish-red bugs that are only about 5 millimeters in size. Once you suspect that there are bed bugs in a mattress, you can start by removing any sheets from the bed to give it a thorough check. If you’re using a steamer, operate it according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid burns.When using chemical pesticides, be sure to read the product label and take note of any potential harmful effects to people or pets.Put any clothes that may contain bed bugs in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few days or wash them in hot water.Keep the home clean and free of clutter to give the bed bugs fewer hiding places.Identify all possible sites of infestation for treatment.Photo: Tips for How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in a Mattress
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