Know How To Exterminate Bed Bugs

The problem with bed bugs is that the little beggars just don't go away! At least not without a fight. This can make exterminating bed bugs a long, and often difficult task. However, if you have a little knowledge of how to go about it, it is not an impossible one!

The most important aspect of exterminating bed bugs is taking swift action immediately you find an infestation. By doing this quite often it will be possible to carry out your own extermination process rather than employing professionals to do the work for you. So, how do you deal with a bed bug infestation? Simply follow the steps below.

1. Positively ID The Enemy.

Cast Bed Bug Skin

The best place to start is by making certain that bed bugs are the problem. The biggest tell tale sign are bites on the body when you wake. Check for blood stains on bedding, discarded skins from developing bugs and so on. Do not limit your search to your bed. Check the whole room including the more obscure places such as inside light switches, radios etc.

2. Let battle Commence!

Once you are confident that you do have a bed bug problem the process of exterminating can begin.

You must clear the affected room of all clutter. Place it all in sealed plastic bags and dispose of it. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the whole room. Vacuum EVERYTHING! this will not only remove live bugs but also eggs which are usually stuck to surfaces quite firmly as they are laid.

The next step is to use a steam cleaner, these are a a great weapon in the battle against bed bugs because the steam not only kills adult bugs and nymphs but it will also destroy any eggs missed by the vacuum cleaner. Follow the same systematic method as with the vacuum cleaner and again steam clean EVERYTHING!.

The last assault on the bed bugs should be applied in the form of a toxic bed bug spray. This step is optional however, it is an additional safe guard in exterminating bed bugs. There are a few options as regards bed bug sprays - the organic options are best especially where there a children and pets in the household.

So, there you have it how to exterminate bed bugs - in a few easy steps. However, do not be fooled one treatment may not be enough to get rid of these blood sucking pests. You may have to repeat the whole process twice or perhaps more before you can claim victory in this war.

What Is The Best Way To Kill Bed Bugs - Part 2

Okay, you should have carried out the first part of the extermination i.e. de-cluttered the room, laundered or heat treated garments and soft furnishings and used the vacuum to get rid of eggs, nymphs and bugs from EVERY area, including furniture.

Now have you to make a choice - which bed bug killer to use?

You may want to hire or buy a steam cleaning machine, bed bugs will not withstand heat so using steam is a brilliant bed bug killer! After you have used the vacuum cleaner on the whole room, methodically follow the same path using the steam cleaner, you will find more information on how to do this in my article How to Kill Bed Bugs Using Steam.

Another option to consider is a bed bug spray, this is not quite so straight forward as there are thousands of products available. Personally I have tried one called Bed Bug Patrol which is manufactured using only natural plant extracts like Euginia Carophylla, Mentha Piperita, and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate from Coconut Extract. These ingredients are totally harmless to humans and pets but lethal to bed bugs, killing them immediately and at all stages of development. Some alternative products do not kill bed bug eggs because they are unable to permeate the outer skin.

If I am honest, I would have to say that using both these methods as a combination is without doubt the most effective way to kill bed bugs. So the the best method would be Vacuum --> Steam --> Spray.

But, there are yet more things you can do.

Using of fossil shell dust can also be an excellent bed bug killer. As an alternative to a non toxic spray, once you have steam cleaned the room you might want to sprinkle a dusting of this around. It too is totally natural and is derived by crushing fossil shells and other marine life. It works quite simply by penetrating the waxy skin of the bed bugs causing them to dehydrate and die.

You might purchase bed bug traps! These are extremely easy to use and again totally natural. Stick one trap to each bed post, chair leg or whatever and as the bugs begin to climb to feed ( on your blood) they become totally stuck on the trap and die. Believe it or not these are actually really effective!

Finally, you could perhaps purchasing are mattress and box spring encasements. These can be used in two ways, to stop bed bugs ever infesting your mattress and box spring should you be unfortunate enough to have an infestation. Secondly you can use them to trap any remaining bed bugs which will eventually die.
However, be aware, these horrid little creatures can survive for up to a year without feeding so, don't be tempted to remove these encasements too soon.

As you can see there are many options for getting rid of bed bugs but finding the right bed bug killer is not always easy. Doing the job yourself will save you money but it will take a good deal of time and effort.

What Is The Best Way To Kill Bed Bugs - Part 1

So, you have just discovered that your house has a bed bug infestation, your face, arms, legs and other body parts are covered in itchy red welts and all you want to do is to get rid of these blasted bugs.

The big dilemma is which bed bug killer do you choose? There is a whole host of products on the market and making an informed choice about how to effectively tackle the problem is vital

Bring In Professionals

Your first choice may be to use a professional "bed bug killer" company, however this comes at a price! They will come and spray your home with chemicals which should eliminate the bed bugs however before engaging a company you should perhaps consider a couple of points. To begin with, you and your family will most probably have to vacate your home whilst the work is carried out and will be unable to return until the chemicals are dry.

Secondly, pesticides and insecticides can be very harmful to the health of both humans and that of any pets living in the affected property, it is possible that over time you or someone in your family could have health issues.

The third problem to consider if using bed bug killer chemicals such as pesticides and insecticides is that bed bugs can build up immunity - this has already happened with many types of chemicals in the past - so greatly reducing the effectiveness of the treatment, and perhaps leaving you with a much lighter wallet and a house still harbouring unwanted guests.

I should actually stress at this stage that this really is the worst case scenario and that most bed bug killing companies only use treatments which are safe - the last thing they want are law suites!

You could of course take things into your own hands and save yourself a fair amount of money - become a D.I.Y bed bug killer! So, where do you begin?

There are quite a few ways in which you can tackle a bed bug infestation, non of of them using hazardous chemicals.

No matter which treatment you intend to use the first job which is essential is to clear the room of clutter. Through magazines, books and anything else which can be disposed of into plastic bags, seal them tightly and remove them from the house! Remember, do all of this in the room which is infested, the last thing you want to do is allow bugs to spread to other areas of the property.

Next, remove bedding, gather up clothing and other items which can be machine washed. Place these also into plastic bags and remove them to your laundry area. Launder all these garments at as high a temperature as possible, garments which cannot be laundered could perhaps be placed in your tumble dryer on a high heat for 10 minutes. Alternatively go over them carefully with a steam cleaner, paying special attention to pockets and under collars. It is essential that you disinfect and clean your laundry area very carefully once you have done. Place all clean garments into CLEAN plastic bags and seal them to prevent re-infestation.

Once you have done this it is time to get the vacuum cleaner out. This is a fantastic tool because it allows you to get into all the cracks and crevices where these nocturnal creatures like to hide removing the bed bugs at all stages of development. Vacuum EVERYTHING, the mattress, box spring, curtains, inside drawers, closets, soft furnishings and so on. Don't forget the more obscure places - bed bugs do travel and will hide out behind pictures, in light switches and smoke alarms etc. This is also a great time to fix holes or cracks in walls or floors because bed bugs will use these to hide in as well.


Read part 2 and discover what your D.I.Y. bed bug killer options are.

Ten Tips To Avoid A Bed Bug Infestation

In recent years the number of bed bug infestations reported have rocketed by an incredible 5000%, it would seem that there is no escape from these little blood suckers, they have infested homes, businesses, hospitals, care homes, and believe it or not they have even been found going for a ride on public transport!

So, why have bed bug infestation numbers increased so dramatically?

The answer is to this is a straight forward one - they can spread extremely quickly because they manage to hitch rides with unsuspecting individuals, they will hide in clothing, books, luggage even used furniture which people may purchase. They then trundle out at their new location and the breeding cycle can begin again and before you know it, there is an infestation in a somewhere new.

 The association between bed bugs and hotels or motels at the lower end of the accommodation market goes back a great many years, however these days this is increasingly not the case, bed bugs have been discovered in the most luxurious 5 star hotels too!  There have even been cases documented where children have taken bed bugs into school in their clothing or bags and the bed bugs have then transferred from child to child causing bed bug infestations to occur throughout the community served by the school.

The good news is - if you can call it that when you have a bed bug infestation to deal with - that there has been no evidence found to suggest that bed bugs carry or transmit disease when feeding on human blood. However, there is one risk which should be pointed out. If a bed bug has recently fed and filled up on blood which has become in some way infected and you happen to burst the blood filled bed bug there is a risk that the infection could be passed to you. Bed bugs are greedy little mites and are usually so full that it  takes only a small amount of pressure to make it burst, just moving in bed would be enough. Remember, bed bugs can live for up to a year without feeding so they do make the most of a victim when one is available!

If you suspect a bed bug infestation at home, work or in a hotel room what should you do?

Listed below you will find ten helpful tips which will help you carry out  a thorough, effective search by detailing for you what to look for and where to look. Even if you have no reason to suspect a bed bug infestation following these tips may help you prevent one in the future.

1 When you check into a hotel, no matter how good its  reputation - never assume it is  free of bed bugs! With this in mind the first thing you should do is examine the bed as this is the favourite hiding place for bed bugs. To do this remove the sheets and other bedding, then carry out a systematic visual and physical inspection of the mattress. Use your fingers to check along seams at the top and bottom. Ensure that you check round any buttons or handles or labels on the mattress for signs of bed bug activity. Also check the beds box spring for any rips in the fabric etc.

2. Next take a close look for any tiny, dark colored spots, in particular these are often found along the back of the head board - if you find any it is possible that these may be faecal matter left by bed bugs. You can confirm this if the spots stick to the surface, they will also leave a smear if wiped using a damp cloth. Whilst doing this rather unpleasant task take a bit of time to have a good look for any live bugs or skins which have been shed by growing bugs - the skins are translucent in color.

3. The final thing you should be on the lookout for are bed bug eggs. These are visible to the human eye and are about the size of a grain of rice and are white in color. You will very often find these nestling along the edge of the mattress seams.

4. It is also very important that you then methodically check other areas of the room and furnishings - bedside cabinets, dressing tables, closets etc. particularly in drawers and beneath free standing units. Clocks, radios, light switches and smoke alarms are among other favourite hiding places and are worth inspecting. A good rule of thumb is to check anywhere where the light is dim as these are the most likely places for bed bugs to hide out - remember, they are nocturnal creatures. If you have any doubts DO NOT unpack your clothing and personal belongings. Finding traces of powder in drawers and closets and along head boards this is usually an indication that bed bugs have been and may still be in residence.

5 One very wise move is to always ensure that your luggage kept off the floor and firmly closed at all times. This should prevent the bed bugs getting comfortable in your clothing and belongings and bringing a bed bug infestation to live with you. Most hotels etc. will provide a luggage rack in each room - USE IT!

6. If you notice a strong, unpleasant odour in a room this too can suggest that there may be a bed bug infestation. The smell has often been described as being sweet - a bit like fresh raspberries whilst others have described it as a "musty" smell.

7. Don't be fooled into a false sense of security because the hotel you are staying in is brand new and perhaps only opened its doors a few weeks or days before your stay. The person who spent the night before in your room may have brought bed bugs form the hotel  down the road or from their home, in his luggage or clothing! ALWAYS CHECK even in the most up market, new hotels.

8. If you are unfortunate enough to find signs of a bed bug infestation in your hotel room inform the management immediately and CHECK OUT - don't accept another room. Bed bugs do travel and can easily find their way from room to room.

9. Before you leave make sure you have no additional luggage i.e. bed bugs! This may seem like a real chore but it is necessary. Check ALL your luggage and belongings carefully, item by item. This may seem like taking things to the extreme but it is the only way to ensure that you are not taking home any unwelcome guests which are not always willing to leave again in a hurry! Don't forget to check you laptop and laptop case!

10. What do you do if you discover bed bugs in your clothing?  Well, firstly isolate any infected items then, ensure that the infected items are laundered in a hot wash and if possible tumble dried on a high heat. Once this is done place them in a tightly sealed plastic bag, away from other items which may still be infected until the bed bug infestation has been treated successfully.

Hopefully these tips should help you decide whether or not you have a bed bug infestation on your hands. If you are unfortunate enough to uncover such a problem in your home you will need a fast effective treatment. You can find about a variety of such treatments at http://treatmentofbedbugs.net

Bed Bug Bites - How To Get Relief

Did you have red, itchy bites on you body when you got out of bed this morning? Well, I'm sorry to say that there is every possibility that you have bed bugs if you do the welts or bumps on your body are bed bug bites!

Bed bugs belong to a family of bugs called the Cimicidaes - these are blood sucking pests which will prey on mammals and birds alike. All of the bugs found in this group are a similar reddish brown color, with the females being larger than the males. The females will lay their eggs in any cracks and crevices around walls and floors of private homes, hospitals, care homes - basically any environment that they have managed to invade. The eggs will hatch usually within four to five days and so the never ending cycle of a bed bug infestation begins.

The number of individuals suffering bed bug bites has increased dramatically all over the world and is still going up. The problem has most definitely occurred because the bed bugs have over time built up resistance to the chemical insecticides traditionally used to eradicate them. One of the better known insecticides of which this is true is Pyrethroid - it has been found that most of the bed bug population in the USA are now resistant to it.

Bed bug bites are not always easily diagnosed and at times can be mistaken for other skin conditions or bites from other insects. As a rule however, those who suffer an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic found in bed bug bites will discover risen red bumps or flat welts on exposed areas of skin which are usually very itchy and can cause great discomfort. On the other hand there are many people - thought to be around half of all people - who will have no visible bed bug bites what so ever - in cases like this it is very difficult to identify and eradicate the infestation effectively.

Reactions to bed bug bites do vary from person to person and factors such as the species of bug, the environment and skin type play a large part. There are rare occasions when the allergic reaction can cause illness. The most common effect that an infestation of bed bugs and the bed bug bites has is one of anxiety and stress as well as many sleepless nights. Of course the insomnia is not just caused by the itching but also by the fear of being bitten again because of coarse bed bugs are nocturnal. They are attracted to their food supply by the body heat, carbon dioxide from air breathed out and sweat from sleeping victims.

There are a number of ways to ease the symptoms of bed bug bites:

1. Topical corticosteroids - Hydrocortisone is probably the best known of these. These will relieve the itching and help heal the welts or bumps a little.

2. Systemic Corticosteroids - These will help with the burning and itching caused by the bed bug bites but will do nothing to calm the appearance of the rash.

3. Antihistamines - taking oral antihistamines will give relief from the itching but not much else.

4. One remedy which appears to be successful without involving any medicinal treatments is the use of heat. The application of hot flannels to the areas affected by the bed bug bites or blowing hot air onto it using a blow dryer eases symptoms. The use of hot water is also very effective however, a word of caution - to be affective the water has to be at a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius so to avoid scalds great care must be taken.

Treatments for bed bug bites are all very well but the only really effective treatment is to eradicate the bed bugs from your home. The easiest way to do this is using a vacuum cleaner, a steam cleaner and a non toxic bed bug spray.