Bed bugs are minute, flat, and red-brown in color; they are a blood-sucking insect that feeds from mammals and human beings. Fully grown, they are about the size of an apple seed. The first significant signs of bed bugs involve small, reddish-brown hitch spots on bedding, which are bed bugs’ droppings, or tiny eggs and molted skin about mattress seams and furniture. Bed bug bites are in clusters of red, itchy bumps on exposed skin.
Begin by cleaning and vacuuming your house. Vacuuming target zones like beds, seams of furniture, and the edges of walls will help remove the pests. Washing bed linen in hot water may be helpful for killing eggs and larvae. Apply a specifically designed insecticide, fully following the instructions, if necessary.
In the case of a severe infestation, it is highly recommended to call in professional pest control service. While many insecticides today do kill bed bugs on contact, for long-term prevention. if you still confused you can see our guide how to kill bed bugs instantly to eliminate these critters. These are helpful toward assuring an environment free of pests and minimizing future outbreaks.
The Problems Bed Bugs Cause:
They pose a serious Pest control problem because now, bed bugs will attack the host as they sleep, and that’s itchy, very uncomfortable. The result will then itch a lot, probably to result in red, swollen bumps on the skin. Beyond all else, they may also give one’s bed and room a “dirty” and uncomfortable feel. They are hard to find since they hide in small cracks and crevices. This, coupled with their minute size, makes eradication quite a task. Also, in the event of a large infestation, disturbance and stress may deny one a good night’s sleep. The task of eliminating bed bugs, as well as containing their spread, is increasing year on year. According to a survey conducted on behalf of the NPMA, there have been reported increases in infestation at such places as hotels, theaters, public transportation, and, unbelievably, medical treatment facilities.
Say Goodbye to Bed Bugs: Natural Remedies That Deliver
Bed bugs sre be pretty slick pests, so no matter how clean a house is, they find a way in. A great deal of bed bug infestation can be treated using some household effective practices, such as washing bed sheets frequently. However, natural remedies are paramount in trying to eliminate the pest altogether on your own at home. Being one of the common problems worldwide, the bedbug is able to cause serious health and mental problems to people. Some years ago, I had the misfortune of a bed bug infestation caused by taking some old furniture home. I have tried many methods to get rid of them, some are effective, but some are not so effective—it all comes down to determining what works for you in the end and keeping your home free of bugs. Furthermore you can check our best mattress protectors for more details
Natural Ways to Defeat Bed Bugs at Home
1 – Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from tiny, fossilized aquatic organisms called diatoms. To use it for bed bugs, sprinkle the powder around areas where you’ve seen bed bugs, like your mattress, bed frame, and carpet. The powder works by damaging the bed bugs exoskeletons, which causes them to dry out and die. Be sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth, as it’s safe for humans and pets. Always wear a mask when applying it to avoid breathing in the fine dust.
2 – Baking soda
Mix baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, into a good number of applications to kill bed bugs. Just sprinkle it liberally in areas they inhabit, such as on your mattress, in carpets, and furniture. It dries out bed bugs due to the fineness of the baking soda powder, drawing the moisture out of the bed bugs’ bodies. Allow it to sit for several hours or overnight before you vacuum it up. Do this a few times in order to reduce the population of bed bugs in your home. Remember, however, that while baking soda might be useful as part of an integrated approach to get rid of these bugs
3 – Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil works wonderfully like a robust essential oil, having the ability to be insecticidal, hence working in its natural mode against bed bugs. Begin making the tea tree oil solution by adding a few drops of the oil into a spray bottle with water. Shake it well for the penetration of the oil uniformly in the water.
Then, spray it directly on the mattresses, seems, furniture, cracks, and baseboards such areas where these are suspected. The strong smell of the tea tree oil disrupts the bugs ability to find a food source, and kills upon contact since it is neurotoxic to them. Apply again and again, more so after cleaning the area, for maximum effectiveness of the repellence and killing. Be cautious with the tea tree oil solution because it may cause skin irritation to some. Do spot testing and wear gloves when using.
4 – Rubbing Alcohol
To fight bed bugs effectively with rubbing alcohol, fill a spray bottle with the liquid. Spray the alcohol directly on surfaces where you see any bed bugs or feel their presence—for instance, along mattress seams, furniture joints. Since the alcohol attacks cell membranes in bed bugs—dehydrating or drying out the bodies—it kills them upon contact.
Afterwards, spray the surface of the Apparel with a rag, which will clean up dead bed bugs and their eggs. The repeated application would contribute to the reduction in bed bugs’ population and further spread. Be sure to store rubbing alcohol in a well-ventilated area away from open flames or sparks, as it is flammable.
5 – Dryer sheets
Other than keeping your laundry fresh and your clothes static free, the dryer sheets are also a quick fix in repelling bed bugs. Place them everywhere you suspect to have those under your mattress, between the couch cushions, and inside pillowcases. With such a potent smell, no one can stand it for long—not even the bugs
Keep replacing the dryer sheets to maintain their effectiveness. However, dryer sheets alone are of no use in combatting a bed bug infestation. This technique needs supplementation by cleaning and proper vacuuming of the room. In case one is sensitive to strong fragrances, he should go for fragrance-free dryer sheets. Dryer sheets are an absolutely convenient, non-toxic way to prevent bed bugs at home on a continuous basis.
6 – Silica gel
Silica gel will dry the air out and, in doing so, kill bed bugs. You can find silica gel in small packets—many times included with electronics or other products to prevent moisture damage during shipping. Place these packets in areas where the bugs exist or are most suspected, such as between your mattress and box spring, inside drawers, or behind furniture.
Over time, bed bugs will dehydrate and die from the absorption of moisture in their bodies by silica gel. . It has to be used in conjunction with approved cleaning, vacuuming, and insecticide methods for effective results. Keep silica gel packets out of the reach of children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion. To reuse silica gel packets that become saturated, periodically dry them out in the sun or oven
7 – Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is one of the most effective ways to kill and remove the eggs of bed bugs from most surfaces. First, you can start by using a steam cleaner with a nozzle attachment that produces high temperature steam. Now directs the steam into your problem areas, such as mattress seams. The high temperature of steam contact then kills them by destroying their cell structure, bringing them out of hydraulic balance. Steam cleaning leaves no toxic residues and reaches deep into fabrics and upholstery it treats infested items without chemicals and may later vacuum thoroughly in the treated areas to sweep off the dead bed bugs and their debris
Ans:Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating bed bugs through the cutting action of its abrasive particles, eventually breaking down their exoskeleton and causing death through dehydration.
Ans: Tea tree oil exhibits some natural property in killing and repelling bed bugs. Mix it with water and apply directly upon the places infested to ward off bed bugs.
Ans: Always apply home remedies like rubbing alcohol and tea tree oil in a well-ventilated area; do not apply it directly on the skin. Keep the products out of the reach of children and pets.
Ans: If the home remedies do not really appear to be doing their job, then consider consulting a pest control professional for thorough inspection and a focused treatment plan.
