How to kill bed bugs

How do you know if you have bed bugs?

Bed bugs are often hidden and only come out in the dark, making them difficult to spot and making it necessary to know what bed bugs symptoms to look for in your home. One of the main signs you have bed bugs in Australia is discovering bed bug bites on your skin when you wake up each morning, particularly on your arms and legs. The bites can cause swelling and the formation of blisters. You may also notice small spots of dark or brown blood present on your sheets or bedding, which bed bugs leave behind. Bed bug symptoms often include small red bites on the body that looks similar to mosquito bites and itch. The bites are easy to identify because bed bugs bite multiple times in the same spot, creating a bed bugs rash. Bed bugs bite when you’re sleeping before retreating to the mattress or bedding where they hide.

What causes bed bugs

Bed bugs are known to come from another infested area outside of the home and can travel in suitcases, on used furniture, and even on visitors’ clothes. In multi-room buildings, they can easily travel in between different rooms. They also tend to hide on porous materials, including backpacks, blankets, and purses. Although bed bugs can spread to any home, maintaining a cleaner setting can prevent the bugs from hiding and infesting. One of the leading bed bugs signs is if you notice their shells left behind on various porous surfaces in the building.

Materials and tools required to get rid of bed bugs

• Bed bugs spray: Many products kill bed bugs upon contact, including 91 per cent isopropyl alcohol.
• Encasement: Using a mattress cover on your bed will contain the bed bugs and prevent them from spreading. Their inability to leave the encasement will cause the bed bugs to starve after a few weeks.
• Chemical treatments: Chemical treatments work well for killing bed bug infestations, specifically dust-based pesticides that you can apply to small cracks and holes present in the building.

How to kill bed bugs

• Strip the bed: Start by stripping the bed of the comforter, sheets, and mattress cover. Immediately place all the bedding in a trash bag to contain any bed bugs or eggs that can easily fall out onto the carpet. 
• Wash all bedding and clothes: Throw the bedding in the washing machine and wash everything in hot water. All clothes that are in proximity to the bed also need to be laundered in hot water. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil can also kill the bed bugs.
• Vacuum: Vacuuming the mattress and carpet will remove any bed bugs and eggs that are present. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to contain the bed bugs and prevent them from falling out of the vacuum. A vacuum with a head attachment will also make it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas where the bed bugs may be hiding. If you want to learn how to find bed bugs, look in hidden places that are dark and offer shelter. Vacuum the mattress and surrounding carpet every day for two weeks to ensure you suction any eggs that the bed bugs leave behind. Dispose of the contents in an outside trash can.
• Spray the affected area: Spray the mattress and affected area with pesticide after confirming the bed frame is free of bed bugs.
• Traps: Installing traps at the base of your bed’s legs can make it easy to collect all the bed bugs present in the room.
• Extreme temperatures: If you’re looking for natural treatments to get rid of bed bugs, high temperatures are known to kill bed bugs in the building if you’re unsure where they may be present. This is ideal for larger infestations or when they’re present in multiple rooms in the home. Avoid only heating the room where the infestation is present, which can cause bed bugs to relocate to a cooler room in the building.

How to prevent bed bugs

One of the best ways to prevent bed bugs from finding their way into your home is to be cautious with the types of items you bring into your home. Avoid purchasing used furniture at yard sales or thrift stores because bed bugs may be hiding near the upholstered materials’ seams.

It’s also important to use a mattress cover on each bed in the home, which can prevent bed bug infestations as they look for a place to hide. Vacuuming your mattress regularly will also reduce the risk of bed bugs laying eggs. Washing your bedding in hot water every week will also kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have entered the home.

If you travel, avoid bringing your suitcase back into your home once you get back from your destination. Leave your suitcase in the garage and throw your clothes in the washing machine to ensure any possible bed bugs don’t find their way into one of the bedrooms where there’s a higher risk of an infestation.

How to hire a pest control expert

If you’re looking for a pest control expert, find someone with several years of experience in the industry. They should have a thorough and detailed process instead of just spraying the property with pesticides. 

It’s also necessary to find someone who is licensed, making it necessary to search for their license with the state. They should also have qualifications that prove their reputable and use advanced commercial equipment. Ask for references to ensure you can talk to their customers and determine if they’re satisfied with the services performed.

The business should also have a website and a physical location where they operate to ensure you hire a legitimate company.