Rid of Bedbugs
Step by Step Instructions

Getting rid of bedbugs is a problem faced by more and more people as the indicidence of Tbed bug problems has gone up 500%. They are being found in schools, on public transportation and of course in homes and apartments, across all 50 States in the U.S. and around the world. They are spreading due to fewer pesticides targeting these bugs as they used to be exterminated when killing other household insects.

Bed bugs bite during the night. Serious infestations could result in over 500 bites in a night. Any reactions to the bug bites are an allergic reaction. While they don't spread disease, the allergic reaction itself can result in red markets or bumps on the skin, impetigo which is a bacterial skin condition, asthma and even shock which is called anaphilaxis. Bites are often found in clusters of 3.

Not everyone shows any reaciton to bed bugs. Some people can get a rash in a hour while others will show no reaction.

Bed bugs are attracted to body heat and the carbon monoxide given off when sleeping. As they find skin, they puncture the skin and feed from 3 to 5 minutes before returning to their hiding place.

Bed bugs can only get into a building if they are brought into the building by a person that carries them in via used furniture, luggage etc. It is not a matter of being neat or clean. A person who is visiting could be carrying the bugs which jump off their belongings into a home or apartment.

One bed bug can quickly reproduce, with each bed bug leading to 500 babies in 1 year time, so removing them early is important. Often bed bug bites are confused with mosquito bites, resulting in treatment or extermination being delayed.

Finding Them Before you Get Rid of BedBugs:

The key to getting rid of bedbugs is to know where they hide. Since they feed on human hosts, most are found around the bed itself with studies showing over 50% found hiding around the mattress and bed frame. They are going to hide where they will not be distrubed. The rule of thumb is that the least likely places to look or be disturbed are where bed bugs are going to hide. Look in any dark tight places. Here are the 5 places bed bugs are most likely to hide:

Take the linens off the bed. In the early stages look for spotting which is caused by fecal staining (digested blood).

1. Underside of the Boxspring: Fecal or brown stains may appear on the botton of the box spring. If you suspect bed bugs, you may need to rip the fabric covering and inspect the inside of the boxspring for live bed bugs.

2. Head board: Look behind the head board and the bed frame. In hotels the head boards are wall mounted. This is a common hiding place because the head boards are not disturbed.

3. Furniture Near the Bed: As infestations get larget, bed bugs need more places to hide. Pull drawers out of the dresser and look underneath the drawers. Look underneath all furniture.

4. Look behind picturres : any pictures or wall hangings could be hiding bed bugs.

5. Look in Cracks in Wallpaper or Wall Cracks: Bed bugs can hide behind the torn wallpaper or in cracks.

This diagram shows common bed bug hiding places:

Picture of Bed Bugs at Different Stages of the BedBug Lifecycle
rid of bedbugs

An adult bed bug is approximately 1/4 inch long and is brown/red in color.

Getting Rid of Bedbugs

It is very difficult to get rid of bedbugs yourself. Don't throw out your mattress since this could spread bed bugs. A new bed might become reinvested.

The first decision you have to make is to go the "do it yourself" route or hire a professional. If you can afford it, the professional option is probably the way to go, particularly in the case of a larger problem. The cost for a typical home is $750 to $1000 plus some exterminators may charge for a home inspection. Often a bed bug sniffing dog is used to find all of the bed bug hiding places. Ask about the chemical and non chemical approaches you choose when selecting a professional.

If you pursue the do it yourself approach, do not buy a "bed bug bomb" found in many local hardware stores as these may kill bed bugs, but not their eggs. Instead purchase a bed bug kit such as the one offered by Dermisil for Bed Bugs . These cost approximately $160 and contain the products you need to remove the pests from your home includng a mattress safe pump spray, bed bug dust, a hand steamer, mattress and box spring covers and an instruction booklet. The steps needed for getting rid of bedbugs are described below.

The key is to kill all bed bugs and the bed bug eggs. Sprays which are used to kill bedbugs will not kill the eggs. Only heat, such as steam will kill the eggs.

Steps for Getting Rid of Bedbugs Yourself

1. Vacuum the Room: The vacuum can pick up any bed bugs that you can find. As mentioned, they like to hide in areas that can't be distrubed, such as along the crack between the floor and molding. Use the crevice tool, not the brush tool. Bed bugs could get caught in the brush.

2. Bag and remove all clothes and linens: Don't remove anything from the room unless it is bagged. Bring tie wrapped bags to the laundry room and wash what you can in 120 degree hot water (highest setting). What you can't wash, place in the driyer for 30 minutes at high heat. This will kill all bed bugs and eggs.

3. Spray the Mattress and Into Cracks: Sprays will kill bed bugs on contact. Follow the manufacturer directions. After treating the mattress let it dry and then seal it in a bed bug zippered cover. Spray anywhere you believe bed bugs are hiding.

4. Use Hand Steamer: The only way to kill bed bug eggs is with heat. Look for small white pin sized eggs. Bed bugs like to lay eggs on rough surfaces such as fabric. They are held to the surface with a cement like substance. Use the steam to kill any eggs that you can find.

5. Spread Bed Bug Dust: Dust is ground fossil. The purpose is to use Bed bug dust to kill any bedbugs that hatch from eggs that you might have missed. As the bed bug walks, the dust will attach to their body, killing the bed bug. Dust can be spread places where the spray shouldn't be used, such as around electrical outlets, and under furniture and along walls.

After treatment, follow these steps for getting rid of bedbugs. It can take 2 to 3 treatments to completely remove them from a home.

Preventing Bed Bugs

1. Buy a bed bug encasement for the mattress: This will prevent bed bugs from getting into your bed and will trap and kill any that are already there. It is not necessary to replace the mattress unless it is in bad condition. If removing a mattress from the home. wrap in plastic to avoid dropping any bugs. Mark the mattress as having a bed bug problem to keep other people from taking the used mattress.

2. Put plastic bowls under the legs of the bed: They will climb up the outside wall and will get stuck in the bowl and they falll in. Paste fabric to the outside of the bowl so the bed bugs can climb up. For added protection, put 1 to 2 inches of rubbing acohol in the bowl. If there are no bugs in the bowel after a few days, there are probably no more bed bugs in the home and you have successfully got rid of bedbugs.

3. Put Double Sided Tape Around Bed Legs: Tape will stop any bed bugs from climbing up back to the bed.

4. Move bed 6 inches from the wall: This will prevent any bed bugs from climbing the wall and jumping back into the bed.

5. Be Careful When Traveling: When entering a hotel room, keep luggage away from the bed and furniture. Ideally keep it near the door. Check the boxspring and bed to see if their are any brown spots. When you get home, wash clothes in hot at 120 degrees or place into a dryer on hot for up to 30 mintues. Both methods will kill bed bugs.