How Do I Get Rid of Bed Bugs Myself?
Eradicating bed bugs yourself is challenging but possible with diligence, persistence, and a strategic approach focusing on thorough cleaning, targeted treatments, and preventative measures. While professional pest control is often recommended for severe infestations, tackling a minor problem independently can be successful by understanding bed bug behavior and employing appropriate techniques.
Understanding the Enemy: Bed Bug Biology and Behavior
Before launching an attack, understanding your adversary is crucial. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feed on human blood. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the warmth of our bodies. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, reddish-brown in color, and flat. After feeding, they become engorged and more elongated.
Bed bugs typically hide in crevices near where people sleep, such as mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, baseboards, and even furniture near the bed. They can also be found behind wallpaper, under carpets, and in electrical outlets. Understanding these hiding places is key to effective treatment.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Bed Bug Removal
The best DIY approach involves a combination of methods, targeting bed bugs at different life stages and in various hiding places. Relying on a single method is rarely effective.
Thorough Cleaning and Vacuuming
Start with a deep cleaning. Strip all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress covers. Wash them in hot water (at least 120°F or 49°C) and dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes. The heat will kill bed bugs and their eggs.
Next, thoroughly vacuum the entire room, paying close attention to the mattress, box spring, bed frame, headboard, baseboards, carpets, and any furniture near the bed. Use a crevice tool attachment to reach into cracks and seams. After vacuuming, immediately empty the vacuum cleaner bag or canister into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it outdoors. Clean the vacuum cleaner itself.
Heat Treatment: A Powerful Weapon
Bed bugs are highly susceptible to heat. As mentioned above, hot water and high-heat drying are effective for clothing and bedding. However, you can also use a steam cleaner to treat mattresses, box springs, furniture, and other surfaces where bed bugs might be hiding. Direct the steam into crevices and seams. Be careful not to saturate the surfaces.
A portable bed bug heater can also be used to heat the entire room to a lethal temperature for bed bugs. This method requires careful preparation and monitoring to ensure safety and effectiveness. The room must reach at least 120°F (49°C) for several hours to kill all bed bugs, including eggs.
Chemical Treatments: Proceed with Caution
While chemical treatments can be effective, they should be used with caution, following all label instructions carefully. Choose products specifically labeled for bed bugs and registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Insecticides containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids are commonly used for bed bug control. Apply these products to cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide. Avoid spraying directly on bedding or clothing. Desiccants like diatomaceous earth (DE) can also be effective. DE is a natural powder that damages the bed bugs’ outer layer, causing them to dehydrate and die. Apply a thin layer of DE to cracks, crevices, and other areas where bed bugs might travel. Use only food-grade DE; other types can be harmful.
Isolation and Prevention
Once you’ve treated the infestation, take steps to prevent its return. Encase your mattress and box spring in bed bug-proof encasements. These encasements prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping, effectively trapping any remaining bugs inside.
Isolate your bed by moving it away from the walls and ensuring that bedding doesn’t touch the floor. Consider using bed bug interceptors under the legs of your bed. These devices trap bed bugs as they try to climb onto the bed.
Monitoring and Persistence
Getting rid of bed bugs yourself requires vigilance. Regularly inspect your bed and surrounding areas for signs of bed bugs. Continue to wash and dry bedding on high heat and vacuum frequently.
It may take several weeks or even months to completely eliminate a bed bug infestation. Be patient and persistent, and repeat treatments as needed. If the infestation persists despite your best efforts, it may be necessary to consult with a professional pest control company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Bites are a common sign, but not everyone reacts to bed bug bites. Look for small, reddish-brown bugs, shed skins, blood stains on bedding, and a musty odor. Inspect mattress seams, bed frames, and other hiding places for these signs.
2. What do bed bug bites look like?
Bed bug bites typically appear as small, red, itchy bumps arranged in a line or cluster. However, reactions can vary widely, and some people may not react at all.
3. Can bed bugs live in my hair?
No, bed bugs typically don’t live in human hair. They prefer to hide in cracks and crevices near where people sleep, coming out only to feed.
4. Can bed bugs travel on clothes?
Yes, bed bugs can travel on clothes. This is a common way for them to spread from one place to another. Always wash and dry clothes on high heat after traveling or visiting potentially infested areas.
5. How long can bed bugs live without feeding?
Adult bed bugs can survive for several months without feeding, depending on temperature and humidity. Eggs can also remain viable for extended periods.
6. Are bed bugs only found in beds?
No, bed bugs can be found in various locations, including furniture, baseboards, carpets, behind wallpaper, and in electrical outlets. Anywhere that provides a dark, secluded hiding place is a potential habitat.
7. What’s the difference between bed bug dirt and regular dirt?
Bed bug dirt consists of tiny black or dark brown fecal spots, often found in clusters or streaks. It’s essentially digested blood. Regular dirt is usually lighter in color and lacks the distinct fecal appearance.
8. Is it safe to sleep in a room with bed bugs?
Sleeping in a room with bed bugs exposes you to bites. While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can be itchy and uncomfortable. Try to eliminate them as fast as possible.
9. How often should I vacuum if I have bed bugs?
Vacuuming should be done frequently, ideally every day or every other day, during the initial stages of treatment. This helps remove bed bugs and their eggs.
10. Can I use rubbing alcohol to kill bed bugs?
Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact, but it’s not a reliable long-term solution. It evaporates quickly and doesn’t penetrate deep into cracks and crevices. Furthermore, it’s flammable and should be used with extreme caution.
11. Do bed bug mattress encasements really work?
Yes, bed bug mattress encasements are effective in preventing bed bugs from entering or escaping the mattress. Choose high-quality encasements that are bed bug-proof and zipper securely.
12. When should I call a professional pest control company?
If you’ve tried DIY methods and the bed bug infestation persists, or if the infestation is severe, it’s best to call a professional pest control company. They have access to more powerful treatments and can provide a comprehensive solution.