Bed bugs are a nuisance and transmit disease.  It can be controlled and killed by the right proper method of cleaning.  But what are bed bugs exactly?  Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans.  Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.  They enter your home undetected through luggage, clothing, used beds and couches, and other items. Their initial hiding places are typically in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards where they have easy access to you to bite during the night. Bed bugs are night pests, and they prefer feeding on you between 3 and 5 a.m. this is when they are most active.  They have no wings; they can only crawl from surface to surface behind a picture frame, they’ll scurry quickly to another hiding place — they’re quick, agile and adaptable. Believe it or not bed bugs are not ONLY found in filthy homes but immaculate homes and hotels.  Bed bugs will go undetected for a long period of time before you realize they are there. They leave fecal matter that look like tiny little black droppings.   If wiped with a damp cloth, they do smear easily.

Bedbugs are very hard to get rid of. If you do have bedbugs, it is strongly recommended that you hire a licensed professional pest control operator.  Professional pest control operators can use a variety of tools to control bedbugs. These include liquid insecticide sprays, aerosol insecticide sprays, insecticidal dusts, diatomaceous earth, pressurized carbon dioxide snow, and steam and heat treatments.

How to control bedbugs:

  • Controlling bedbugs include steam cleaning, vacuuming, heating, freezing, washing, and throwing out items. Steam cleaning should be done before vacuuming, as the steam will flush any bedbugs not killed out of hiding. Heat treatments should be left to the professionals.
  • Professional carpet cleaners that use very hot water extractions do kill the bed bugs.  The hot water must reach a very high temperatures like truck mounted equipment.
  • Items must be washed in very hot water.
  • Vacuuming is a big factor in removing bed bugs.  Vacuum frequently.   Vacuuming your homes, furniture and mattresses on a regular basis will help eliminate bedbugs.  Using a HEPA filter will help tremulously.  Remember they do get infested so you must clean them out and disinfect the container.
  • Reduce clutter in your home to reduce hiding places for bed bugs.  Especially under your beds as well.
  • Use a protective covers for mattresses and box springs. The light color of the encasement makes bed bugs easier to see. Be sure to purchase a high quality encasement that will resist tearing and check the encasements regularly for holes.

Heat and suffocation might get rid of the problem. But discarding old, used items might be the way to go if you actually want your home free of bedbugs. If you do get rid of infested furniture, don’t just put it on the curb but put in the dumpster to avoid other people from infestation in their homes.