The pests known as bed bugs are a major problem for many people. They are an invasive species that have spread quickly and become resistant to most pesticides.
Organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the pest management experts at Orkin recommend avoiding chemical treatments whenever possible because they can cause health problems and do more harm than good over the long term. Fortunately, getting rid of bed bugs without chemicals is not impossible. Here’s how you can do it:
Don’t neglect your bedding and furniture
Bed bugs are most common in areas where there are signs of clutter and neglected items, such as crumbs scattered on a countertop or piles of dirty clothes in a bedroom closet. When you don’t clean up crumbs and dirty clothes, bed bugs are more likely to find them and move in. Another neglected item is your bed. Many people don’t clean their bedding and sheets frequently enough. Bed bugs like to hide in seams, folds and crevices of your bed sheets. Dusting and vacuuming your bedding regularly is one of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs.
Vacuum frequently and thoroughly
Vacuuming is the only way to get rid of bed bugs that survive the climate of your home and have enough power to kill them. Experts recommend vacuuming as frequently as possible, depending on the size of your home. Regular cleaning will reduce the breeding spots for bed bugs and make it more difficult for them to survive. The important part is the thorough cleaning. You must scrape the attached debris and debris from the suction and exhaust areas. You can also use a vacuum with a specialized bed bug vac attachment. Bed bugs are extremely small, so you must be very careful when using this kind of vacuum. It’s better to have too little suction than too much.
Dry your mattress and other furniture before storing them
If you have bed bugs, you should be especially careful when handling your bed sheets and your bed. Bed sheets that have been used or touched by an infected person should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. If you have to store your bed sheets for a while, you should put them in a plastic bag and store them in a dry and clean place. You should also regularly dry your mattress and other furniture, especially if you have small children who are more likely to put everything in their mouths. Bed bugs love to hide in crevices and cracks, so vacuuming and dusting them is your best option.
Seal cracks in your furniture with tape or caulk
When it comes to cracks in your furniture, you can try many things, such as sealing them with synthetic glue or duct tape. It might work, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Bed bugs can hide in small cracks, so you can use tape or caulk to seal them.
Keep your home humid to slow the growth of new bugs
Bed bugs like the climate of your home because it’s warm and moist. To slow the growth of bed bugs, you need to maintain high humidity in your home. There are many ways to do it, including keeping a humidifier running or keeping a few inches of water in a container near your bed. Humidifiers can be a bit noisy, so you might want to keep one in your bedroom. You can also try a fan placed near your bed. This will help to circulate the air, which is important because bed bugs like moisture.
Use an air purifier with UV light to effectively kill eggs and nymphs
One of the most effective ways to get rid of bed bugs is with an air purifier with UV light. These devices remove pollutants from the air and kill bed bugs by heating them. They can also kill eggs and nymphs in your mattress and furniture, which are the eggs and young bugs that are too small to survive on their own. UV lights work well in bedrooms and living rooms, which are the rooms most likely to have bed bugs. You can place an air purifier in these rooms, or use a remote control to turn the purifier on and off. NOTE: It’s important to note that while an air purifier with UV light is one of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs, it’s not a magic bullet. You’ll need to apply these tactics together to be successful.
Conclusion
Getting rid of bed bugs is possible, but it’s not easy. You will have to clean thoroughly, seal cracks in your furniture and keep your home humid to slow the growth of new bugs. It might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort. You might finally sleep through the night without worrying about bed bugs. If you follow the above methods, you will be able to get rid of bed bugs. If you have any questions about how to get rid of bed bugs, feel free to contact a pest control company, such as Orkin, for help.
