No one relishes the thought of tiny little creatures living with them, but on occasion, it does happen. Once an infestation is identified, you'll want to complete a thorough bed bug treatment and get rid of them once and for all.
No one wants to find out that they're sharing their bed with millions of tiny bed bugs. These little creatures live off the blood of humans,
causing itchy rashes and allergic reactions after their night of feasting. Once you've discovered the creatures, bed bug treatment is definitely a must!
Identify a Bed Bug Infestation
Since mosquitoes and fleas cause the same type of itchy bumps, you'll need to be sure that bed bugs are the little critters that you're after. Search your entire room for evidence of bed bugs. These bugs are very tiny and black in color. You'll most likely find them in bed linen creases, box springs, mattress cracks, curtains, or other small areas in your bedroom. As disgusting as it sounds, you may also find their dark brown or red droppings throughout your used linens.
Clean Every Nook and Cranny
Before calling a professional exterminator, you may want to try a thorough cleaning and disinfecting session of any room that contains a bed. To start, clear any clutter out of the rooms and pull the furniture away from the wall. This way bed bugs will have a hard time hiding as you clean! Next, pull out your vacuum or rent a high powered vacuum and vacuum the carpet, the mattress and the bed spring. Suck all those little critters from their comfortable "homes!" Wash your bed linens in extremely hot water, and then dry them at the highest temperature possible. Don't worry if they shrink or get ruined by the heat, because you'll need to throw them out if you can't wash them. Finally, you may want to purchase allergen bags for your mattress, box springs, and pillows to keep any remaining bed bugs contained. If they can't get to you, they will die.
Call a Professional Exterminator
If you still notice signs of bed bug activity even after the initial self-cleaning bed bug treatment, it's time to call the exterminator. Don't feel bad that your cleaning efforts failed to kill all the bugs. It often takes more than household cleaners to kill those pests. A professional exterminator will help you choose from three pesticide options: insecticidal dust, contact insecticides, or insect growth regulators.
Insecticidal dust covers the bug's outer coat and causes it to dry out, resulting in death. The powder will be placed in any crack or crevice where the bugs may reside. Contact insecticides kill bed bugs as soon as they touch them. Finally, insect growth regulators prevent the bugs from reproducing. The growth regulators are usually used with one of the other two options, so the bugs will be killed and be prevented from reproducing.
Dispose of Any Infected Linens
After the bed bug treatment, you may feel safer if you throw away the linens, blankets, rugs, and perhaps even the curtains that were used during the bed bug infestation. That way, you can be doubly sure that all the bugs are gone for good! Remember to encase your mattress, bed springs, and pillows in allergen bags to prevent another bed bug infestation and complete the bed bug treatment.
