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Getting Rid Of Bedbugs: What You Need To Know

by Thomas Proctor

Bed bugs do not require you to call the most expensive terminator that you can find. If you find them in your home it may seem like you will never be able to get rid of them but know that bug eradication is easier than you think. You can rid yourself of these pests with some patience and some research.

A thorough cleaning is the first step you must take in getting rid of bedbugs. Problem areas include furniture, closets, hampers, and of course bedding. Carpets and crevices are convenient hiding places for bed bugs. All potential nesting sites should be identified and cleaned.

Items which are washable, such as linens, should be washed in hot water. Things that are not washable should be wrapped in plastic and exposed to direct sunlight. The reason you want to subject infested items to heat is that a temperature of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit is required to kill both the bedbugs themselves as well as their eggs.

The next step in getting rid of bedbugs is to catch the bugs that may have survived your first assault. You can use the same sticky traps you use for mice to catch bed bugs. Boric acid is a good and safe insecticide to spread around door frames. Don't use chemical based insecticides on bedding or clothes because they may be toxic to humans as well as bed bugs.

To eliminate the bed bug problem most efficiently, you must avoid methods which waste time. For instance, aerosol pesticides and bug bombs do not work at all on bed bug infestation. Also, although extreme temperatures help curb bug proliferation, extreme cold has an effect on infestation only if the affected area is below freezing for at least two weeks.

If these methods don't work in your home, you might have to think about hiring a professional exterminator. But usually these techniques work and they should never be taken for granted. Be careful with "bug treatment sprays" which are sold online very often. Many of them don't come with the right guides or any guarantees that they're safe.

With a little patience and perseverance, getting rid of bedbugs can be no big deal. The first task is to thoroughly clean any areas the bugs might have been. This includes furniture, suitcases, sheets, blankets, hampers, carpets, door jambs, and even picture frames. Use hot water, prolonged exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light, and / or hot temperatures of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit to aid in the bedbug eradication. If you are unlucky enough to have bed bugs, make sure that you do not waste a single moment or a single dime on the many remedies that are not effective. For example, aerosol pesticides do not work.

Published November 7th, 2008

Filed in Diseases And Conditions