Bed bugs, which inhabit the homes of many of us, are well-known hitchhikers and can move into our home virtually anywhere. For example:
- From neighbours who have bedbugs.
- After a trip, because they have settled in our suitcase – they like to travel the world, travelling.
- Through our clothes, if we have visited a place where there are bed bugs.
- Furniture that you bring into your home – new and old, because even the new one if it has been in the store for a long time without being protected by any means (case), is likely to be full of bed bugs.
- After major remodelling or repair, because bed bugs can live in cracks, between walls, etc.
How to get rid of bed bugs?
Perhaps the best method is to call specialists in the field to save us from nausea. This method is recommended because we don’t waste time, and the people involved in the destruction of pesky critters are aware of all the specifics of bugs and will complete the task faster. But if you still decide that you will “fight” on your own, we suggest you look at some tips and options for dealing with bed bugs that will help you get rid of them.
How to act alone, and what tools to use?
The means are the most diverse, and many of them are not very useful. Wondering what to choose? Typically, bed bug control methods fall into several main categories, including:
- Powders
- Sprays
- Tablets to be distributed throughout the home
- In liquid version
Preparations that work based on evaporation of substances that are harmful to bed bugs.
Perhaps the most convenient to use, in terms of comfort, are the means that work on the principle of evaporation and sprays, but unfortunately, they are not so effective. As the most impractical option, the preparations are usually combined in liquid form and that of powders and tablets
You can choose from a variety of bed bug poisons, but if you still don’t want to waste money on detergents, you can try some “grandma’s” traditional tricks like:
- Alcohol (whether ordinary or camphor) is deadly to bed bugs. You can spray on furniture, clothes and your entire home.
- Hydrogen peroxide (perhydrol), which you can use by placing in places where you suspect that they are inhabited by bed bugs.
- Valerian tincture can repel bed bugs because of the specific smell it has.
Bed bugs like temperatures that are between 13-15 degrees Celsius, but don’t like too high amplitudes. You can always order a hot steamer and use it to get rid of blood-sucking bugs like bed bugs. Keep in mind that you should also focus on places that are more difficult to reach because bed bugs usually hide there.
- Bed bugs – vampires don’t like the smell of vinegar. You can soak a rag with vinegar and treat any items you suspect to have become a bed bug haven
- Wormwood also has a positive effect. If you can spread it anywhere in the place where you live, you will be able to drive the bugs out of your home for a while.
- Grate 30 grams of soap in boiling water, add three tablespoons of turpentine and four tablespoons of kerosene. Use the finished mixture only for more remote places, to which you generally don’t have access, because the ingredients are strong and aren’t recommended for health.
A guide to exterminating bed bugs in a few steps If you have decided on a specific remedy to control them, be prepared for the following few steps that you need to take before treatment with detergent.
- Make sure to put all food in waterproof packaging and seal it so that no chemicals can contaminate it.
- When using various and harmful detergents in many cases, all people and animals should leave home to avoid potential poisoning.
- If you want to treat clothes with detergent, the underwear should not be subjected to such actions, but you can soak it in boiling water.
- When trying to remove bed bugs from furniture, it is recommended to spray/smear not only their surface but the targets. It is best to disassemble them partially and then make sure everything is covered as well as possible with detergent.
- Discard old mattresses and pillows, and before using new ones, let them go through steam treatment and cleaning.
- Make sure to treat well with detergent between individual boxes in which you store things, as well as the boxes themselves, especially if they are wooden or other material that predisposes to a quiet life of bed bugs.
- If you have furniture hanging on the walls, unhook and spray it as well as wherever there are cracks because bed bugs like to hide there.
- Ventilate well after leaving the detergents to act for the required time.
What happens when the room is ready to be treated with detergents?
- Make sure you protect yourself well – wear gloves, old clothes and something to cover your hair and face to ensure that no detergent gets on your skin.
- Prepare the preparation and follow the instructions for use.
- Start treatment from a room. Treat the ceiling, walls (if you have wallpaper, it is not desirable to use detergents on them) and finally the floor.
- Treat all furniture with detergent, taking care not only the outside but also the inside.
- Leave your home for about two to three hours (minimum) if you decide to use folk remedies to control bed bugs. If you are using preparations, read the instructions, which indicate the exact time it takes for the medicine to work.
- Wash the floor, walls, all furniture and ceiling.
- Examine all surfaces carefully to make sure you get rid of bugs, larvae and faeces.
- If you have not been able to eradicate all bed bugs, you must repeat the treatment.
