How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs - DIY and Exterminators

"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." This common goodnight verse may be truer than you think. Bed bugs are worldwide travellers, notorious for latching on to luggage items and stowing away to a new destination. When you consider all of the travellers and the hotels and motels all over the world, it is easy to understand why bed bugs seem to be making a comeback.

But where do bed bugs come from?

Bed bugs - a nasty souvenir 

Bed bugs are very small and often make their way into your house after travelling. Bedbugs often infest entire apartment buildings or hotels, and it can be very expensive to eradicate them on such a large scale. In Australia, HealthyWA confirmed that bed bugs are often carried in luggage and personal belongings, making travel a key factor in their spread.

Bed bugs - bites & where they hide

Here's more information about this notorious traveller:

1. Bed Bugs: A bed bug is typically a brownish colored, wingless insect between one-fourth and a half-inch long. They resemble ticks (please see the picture of a bed bug below). Bed bugs can survive for up to a year without feeding on a blood source, so figuring out how to kill bed bugs is a real challenge. These parasites can hide in small cracks and crevices, making them difficult to locate and even more challenging to eradicate. Females can lay up to 300 eggs, which hatch within ten days, thus creating an ever-growing population.
2. Bed Bug Bites: Often, bed bug bites are the easiest way to tell you have bedbugs. A bed bug's main source of nutrition is blood, and they bite using their beak-like mouths, piercing the skin. Different people react to bed bug bites in different ways. Some may never know they've been bitten, while others may experience severe inflammation and possible infection as symptoms of bed bugs. Most of the bites are so small that they can't be felt. However, a typical sign of a bed bug bite is a small, swollen, white welt that forms at the site of the bite. Many people who have been bitten by bed bugs experience pronounced itching in the bite area. Please be aware that although most bedbug bites are merely annoying, some individuals experience asthma, hives, and even severe, life-threatening allergic reactions.
3. Finding Bed Bugs: Bed bugs are good at hiding. In fact, you really have to search and know what you are looking for before you can find a bed bug. In many instances, evidence of a bed bug is discovered rather than the actual bug itself. Rusty spots on sheets and mattresses caused by a crushed bug or a bug's fecal matter (which looks like tiny black specks or very small dots of blood) may be the first indication that a bed bug infestation has occurred, along with eggshells and shed skin. Most bed bugs can be found in the crevices and cracks of mattresses, chairs, and sofas. They are often found between the headboard and a wall as well. Because bed bugs prefer wood and fabric over plastic and metal, they tend to dwell in areas of a home or building that are more frequently used, such as bedrooms or hotel rooms. If you're unsure whether you have bed bugs, many exterminators can conduct a professional inspection of your home to determine if you have an infestation. While some pest control companies offer this service for free, others charge up to $200. There are even specialised bed bug exterminator companies that use trained dogs to sniff out bed bugs; however, this service is significantly more expensive than a standard inspection. Still, dogs can help you find out if you have a bed bug infestation.

Bed bugs - getting rid of them

Once an infestation has occurred, patience and persistence are essential in eliminating bed bugs from the area. If you are determined to get rid of bed bugs yourself, without hiring an exterminator, it isn't enough to clean the mattresses and launder the sheets. Furniture should be overturned and cleaned. Carpeting, wood moulding, door jambs, picture frames, and closets should also be inspected. Bed bugs can hide behind loose wallpaper, in the crevices between carpets and walls, behind outlet covers, and inside light fixtures, smoke detectors, and even clocks. Removable, washable items can be laundered in very hot water. For areas or items that cannot be laundered, smaller items can be wrapped in plastic and placed in a hot area or exposed to direct sunlight. The key is to raise the temperature to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 °C) for several hours to kill both the eggs and the bugs. Vacuuming and steam cleaning may also be done, but any bags or canisters should be disposed of or emptied outside the area immediately to prevent another infestation. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to find all bed bugs and their eggs; that's why the most effective method of removing them is through the services of a professional.

When choosing a professional bed bug exterminator, be careful! Many companies that only specialise in bedbugs aren't as qualified as full-service pest control companies. Your best bet is to find an established pest control service company that has been in operation for at least five years. You may also want to ask around and see if anyone you know has recommendations for specific pest control services, or check review sites for recommendations. Additionally, ensure that the pest control company you choose is certified in your state. Exterminators can be pretty expensive; expect to pay between $250 and $1,000 per room. You'll also want to ensure that you choose a pest control company that will make follow-up visits - these are usually necessary for effective bed bug elimination.

Once you sift through the exterminators and make a decision, make sure they are using effective pesticides and bed bug control methods. Usually, exterminators use a combination of pesticides and steam heat. Bed bugs only die from heat if the temperature is at least 120°F (49°C), which is sustained for several hours. Do not use a pest control company that uses bug foggers or bug bombs as their method for treating bed bugs; these methods are ineffective. The most effective bed bug extermination methods using pesticides involve direct contact.

Bed bugs - what not to do

Finally, there are several methods that are totally useless and shouldn't even be considered. Bug bombs and aerosol pesticides will not rid an area of bed bugs. While extreme hot and cold temperatures may affect the infestation, temperatures below freezing will only be effective if they remain below freezing for over two weeks.