Bed bugs can cause damage on the skin and to the furniture and clothing in your home. The infestation can get expensive if it has grown large enough where an expert has to come in to get rid of all of the bugs. Bed bugs reproduce quickly, so it is important to look out for signs of infestation because a small problem can turn into a big one very quickly. Luckily, there are some home remedies that you can try before bed bugs start causing major problem in your home. These remedies can save you a lot of money in the long run, and they can also teach you ways to prevent bed bugs in the future.
1.) Vacuum
Bed bugs can hide in many different places, like mattresses, box springs, furniture, flooring and curtains. Vacuuming is a foolproof method that will suck up all of the existing bed bugs, as well as anything they may be using as bedding or shelter. Make sure to dispose of the contents from the vacuum in a sealed bag and have it be put outside as close to your trash day as possible. This will eliminate the chance that the bugs could find their way back inside.
3.) Use High Heat When Doing Laundry
If you have found bed bugs on bedding or clothing, it is important to wash them as soon as possible. Using both hot water and high heat when doing laundry will ensure that the existing bed bugs and their eggs perish. Make sure to run the dryer for at least 20 minutes to ensure that the bed bugs have died.
3.) Get Rid Of Clutter
Bed bugs love to live in cluttered spaces. There is a lot of dust and other areas that are warm for them to live and breed in. Cluttered spaces are often not touched for long periods of time, so bed bugs are able to breed in large amounts in these spaces. If you see that you have bed bugs in your home, they may be coming from that cluttered area. Clean that space out and vacuum the whole area. Make sure to deep clean even piece of furniture and get rid of any old items that are no longer needed.
4.) Spray Areas With Insecticide
This remedy will help after everything has been cleaned out, vacuumed and washed. You should get an insecticide that is not harmful to human or pets. Spray down every single nook and cranny that you can, because bed bugs can be hiding anywhere. Areas that should be focused on are: exposed areas, hidden areas in furniture, as well as behind light switch coverings and electric socket coverings. Also look for cracks and holes in the walls and spray them. Be sure to caulk these holes properly. This way, bugs will not find their way back into your home.
5.) Steam Furniture And Fabric
There are some pieces of furniture and fabric in the home that cannot be washed in the washing machine. You can use steam to sanitize and clean these items. Bed bugs that have been living here will be killed by the heat of the steam, and all of the surfaces of these items will be clean and fresh.