How to Kill Bed Bugs And Protect Yourself Against Infestation

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By poshadornment
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Article Rating: (26 Ratings)

Kill bed bugs - bites appear as red welts in a line on the skin

Bed bug infestations are a huge and growing concern around the country these days. Prevention against an infestation of bed bugs is the best first line of defense and your second line of defense in case you find these horrible critters in your house is to know how to kill bed bugs to protect yourself. It can take up to 18 months to completely rid your space of bed bugs, so follow these steps closely to kill bed bugs as soon as you detect them.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Examine your mattress and your suitcase carefully for signs of bed bugs if you are travelling or live in an area where there are a great many people living in close proximity, like in a dorm or apartment complex. Check the suitcase again when you get home before you bring it into your house. If you wake up mornings with red welts in rows along your skin that have appeared during the night, it's lilkely you have the beginnings of or a full blown infestation of bed bugs. The pictures show you what these miserable critters look like and although very small, they are still visible to the naked eye. Check beds, sofas, carpets and suitcases for signs and follow the steps below for how to kill bed bugs.
Step 2

Kill bed bugs found in used furniture

Dig through newly purchased used furniture for signs of bed bugs if it's from a yard sale or Craigs List. Check it out carefully before you even bring it into your house for bed bugs and other creepy crawling critters. Look in seams and cracks for the live bugs and also for thier eggs and the husks which are shed when they molt. Check all mattresses in the seams and tufts. If you find the evidence of an infestation, sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth on the furniture, let it sit a day and then vacuum. You'll have to repeat this several times a week over a period of about a month to eradicate the bugs. You can also sprinkle furniture and suitcases with Boric Acid powder but not your mattress. Be sure to vacuum the powder out very well before use. These measures may not work entirely and if not, you'll have to call an exterminator.
Step 3

Check for blood stains and dark spots on your hotel mattress before you place your suitcase on the bed or lay on the mattress. If you see evidence do not use the bed and request another room. Bed bugs are blood suckers like mosquitoes and will bite and draw blood. Stains and blood can come from bugs you have rolled on and crushed or from you when you continue to bleed after being bit...or more noxious, from the person who used the bed before you.
Step 4

Completely sanitize if you find evidence of bed bugs.

If you have identified that you do have bed bugs from whatever source do a complete clean out and sanitation of the furniture and the area. If you can afford to get rid of your mattress and replace it, do so. If you can't replace it, vacuum thoroughly. Food grade diatomaceous earth is safe to use on the mattress first before vacuuming. Put a mattress cover over the mattress and a separate one over the boxspring to completely encase them. Cotton is more comfortable than plastic. The cover will help to protect you if there is anything remaining in the mattress and it can take up to 18 months for the rest of the bed bugs and their eggs to completely disappear.
Step 5

Wash and rinse all clothing, bedding, curtains, etc. in hottest water and you can even put some boric acid powder in the wash water. It will help to kill the bed bugs and will be washed out in the rinse. Use Borateem detergent and there is already Boric Acid mixed with it. Dry everything on the hot setting and know that it is the time in the dryer that really kills these pests so dry for at least an hour or more.
Step 6

Also check cracks and crevices in your apartment or room and paper products like books, notebooks and piles of papers for infestations. Try to find the nest so you can alert an exterminator if you call one. Use a steam cleaner to clean carpets and furniture and spray into cracks and crevices with hot steam. Get rid of whatever papers show signs of infestations.
Step 7

Treat poisons and sprays with care and avoid using on your mattress as these can be poisonous to you. If you are unsure how to handle an infestation, call the exterminator and have them take care of this for you and work with them to kill bed bugs. Follow their instructions closely and expect to have 2-4 treatments at two week intervals to completely get rid of the bed bugs.
Step 8

Never under react to a bed bug infestation as it takes very little time for them to multiply and wreck total havoc with your life. Act quickly and you should be able to get it under control right away.

Comments

klnygaard said

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on 10/29/2009 icky thought- but great article

dorothymcfalls said

on 10/14/2009 Thanks for the informative article. I do not want bed bugs!!!

michaelinasmom said

on 6/22/2009 Really detailed and informative. I'm paranoid about those critters and am constantly checking for them. 5* and a recommendation.

tracysmith159 said

on 5/23/2009 Very good article on Bed Bugs. I work at a resort and didn't even know there was bed bugs until I worked here. Its amazing how people can bring these bed bugs with them from other places. Gives me the creeps!