How to Prevent Bed Bugs from Biting

Many commercial products and sprays are available to kill bed bugs.

Bed bug bites can lead to infections among people who scratch the affected areas. People can also have allergic reactions to the bugs' saliva. Your first step to remove these insects should always be to contact your landlord if you rent. This may not be enough, however, especially if you are in an apartment and the bugs keep coming from your neighbors' apartments. You'll need to take action to get the bugs out of your bed.

Things You'll Need

• Mattress cover
• Bed bug spray
• Vaseline
• Strong tape

Instructions

1. Check your mattress and replace if it is severely infested. If it is savable, purchase a bed bug cover to prevent the pests from getting in or out of your mattress. You can also get covers for your pillows.

2. Take all of your bedding -- sheets, quilts, pillows, stuffed animals -- and wash and dry it on your machines' hottest settings. Dry-clean items if necessary. Heat will effectively kill the bed bugs.

3. Take the mattress off the frame. Spray the frame thoroughly with a bed bug spray, making sure to apply it in all the cracks where they may be hiding. Remember, a bed bug is very flat and can fit in the tiniest of places.

4. Prevent bugs from returning by smearing a very thick coating of Vaseline around each leg of the bed. Strong tape may also work if wrapped around the legs securely. Make sure the bugs cannot get under the tape.

5. Pull the bed away from the walls and make sure it is not touching any tables or curtains. Make sure the sheets do not touch the floor. If there is no way for the bugs to crawl back into your bed, they cannot bite you, and you will start sleeping more soundly.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider thoroughly treating and cleaning the whole bedroom as well.

References

• CBC News; How to keep bedbugs from biting; June 11, 2010
• BedBugInfo.com: The Bedbug Vaseline Trick