How to Kill (Exterminate) Bedbugs

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By dougwhitaker13
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Kill Bedbugs/ Exterminate Bedbugs

Bedbugs are usually a problem that is found in places where there are a lot of beds such as hotels or apartment complexes. They are usually found in smaller, developing countries also but they have been on the rise in the United States lately. It is not easy to kill or exterminate bed bugs but it can be done.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Vacuum
Hot water
Insecticide
Optional: Plastic Bed Cover

Step 1

Mattress with bedbugs

The first thing to do is find out if you have bedbugs or not. Bedbugs are usually about a quarter of an inch long and can be anywhere from a light tan to a darkish brown color. They can be found along the seams of mattresses or by finding small blood stains on sheets, mattresses and/or pillowcases. They can live for nearly a year and can go weeks without eating. But what do you do if you find out that you have bed bugs? How do you kill bedbugs?
Step 2

Bedbugs on wood

Start by trying to confine where the bedbugs might be coming from. They like to hide in wood so start by removing any wood or wooden debris that might be near your home. Then vacuum cracks or holes in wood doors or wooden flooring to remove the bedbugs. Fill cracks and holes if possible. Put small things that the bedbugs can hide in, such as pillows and stuffed animals, in dark plastic bags in the hot sun outside for a few days so that the heat can kill the bugs and any eggs that might be in the items.
Step 3

Next make sure to wash and vacuum all furniture in the surrounding area. Get rid of mattresses and box springs if possible. If not, then clean and vacuum them as well as possible and cover them with plastic covers to keep the bugs from getting to you. The bites try to hide during the day but they come out to feed at night while you are asleep leaving red bites that itch (usually on the arms.)
Step 4

Next be sure to get a strong insecticide from your local hardware store and spray it in all cracks and crevices and on the bed frame. Wash all bed linens in very hot water and dry the linens on the hottest setting. Bedbugs are not easy to kill by any means because it is so hard to find them all or where they are coming from. If these steps do not work then it is time to call your local exterminator to inquire about bedbug extermination.