There are two main ways to treat those annoying bedbugs you have in your home – Chemical and non-chemical.
Non-chemical Bed Bug Treatments
- Wash and dry all of your bedding and clothing at high temperatures. However, just washing bedding or clothing is generally not enough to kill the bugs. Drying at high temperatures is the key.
- Heat the infested items to at least 118 °F for 1 hour. The higher the temperature, the less time is required to kill the bugs.
- Cold treatments below 0°F for at least five days (or 120 hours) can eliminate some infestations. The colder the temperature, the less time required to kill the bedbug infestation. However, your home freezer is generally not cold enough to effectively kill them.
Chemical Treatments
There are dozens of chemical products on the market that are registered with the EPA to kill or repel bugs. Unfortunately, many of the over-the-counter products simply do not work. Therefore, many homeowners unknowingly waste time and money trying to treat their homes without professional assistance. DIY homeowners also either over-apply or misapply the chemicals they purchase.
Contact the manufacturer of each product directly because most local pest control professionals will not be able to consult you on which DIY chemical they'd recommend for your situation.
How to Keep Bedbugs Out of Your Home
A key reason for the success of bedbugs at spreading from location to location is their ability to survive extended periods of time without feeding. Some bugs can survive up to 12 months without eating.
Preventive Tips
There are a few basic precautions that can help keep your home safe from an infestation:
- Use protective covers to encase mattresses, box springs, and furniture to eliminate hiding spots.
- Remove clutter from your home that might be prone to hiding places• Avoid bringing used furniture into your home without a comprehensive inspection.
- Perform a thorough search of your hotel room for signs of bugs
- Use luggage racks for suitcases and reduce the contact between your Clothing and the bed or carpet
- Perform a thorough inspection of your luggage and clothing when you return home and limit the contact between travel clothing and mattresses, box springs, and furniture
Bed bugs aren't fun, but if you are knowledgeable about what to look for and consult with a pest solutions technician to find the best solution, you can beat bed bugs.
