Last Updated on April 13, 2024 by Umer Malik
Bed bug removal takes an entire process. And while it is difficult, it surely isn’t impossible. It’s tempting to just go for an easier way and throw out infested items, like furniture and clothing, but that shouldn’t be the only option you have. Throwing stuff out is wasteful, may spread bed bugs to other people’s homes, and could cause more stress.
Dealing with bed bugs can be practical and efficient when done thoroughly and with the right help from bed bug experts around San Jose, California. Read on to find out more about how you can deal with bed bugs safely.
Give Your House a Thorough Inspection
First things first, you need to find out and confirm if it’s really bed bugs that you have. This is essential because they’re almost always easily mistaken for other common household insects, so you wouldn’t want to waste time and energy worrying about the wrong things (bugs).
To do this, you need to be aware of what bed bug looks like and where they usually hide. Bed bug bites are usually similar to that of a mosquito’s – even the feel of it, too. Because they’re nocturnal, you’ll probably see their residues on your bedsheets and pillowcases.
Bed bugs typically like to stay within about eight feet or two meters from wherever you sleep. This means you should be checking around your mattress, box spring, bedding, bed frame, and any cracks and crevices around your bed, furniture, wallpapers, and under carpeting. Other places where they like to hide and breed include electrical outlets and switch plates.
If you feel like you need extra help, don’t hesitate to seek a bed bug consultation in San Jose.
Contact a Professional Pest Management Company
Unfortunately, when you see one bed bug, it only means there’s quite a lot more. Because they reproduce by laying eggs, they’ll only grow again even after you squish the ones you see. That’s when you might need professional help. Bed bug exterminators also have all the right equipment and pesticides. So you can just sit back and let them do their thing.
Prior to this, however, there will be some preparations required on your part. This includes getting your house ready by covering furniture, putting valuables away safely, and making sure that everything’s covered well so no harmful chemicals will contaminate your belongings.
Wash Beddings and Clothes in Hot Water
Even if you kill all the bed bugs where you found them, you will still need to wash all bedding and clothing that may have come into contact with them.
We recommend putting everything on the hottest wash the fabric can take (although the water itself will do the main job by drowning them), then follow up with a tumble dry to be extra certain they do not survive.
From beddings to clothes, draperies, towels, stuffed animals — practically anything that you can run through the washer — should be washed on the hottest cycle possible. As for shoes and other things that you can’t wash in a washing machine, at least have them in your dryer for 30 minutes on high heat. Afterward, put everything in a trash bag, seal it, and set it aside to protect them while the exterminators continue with your house’s treatment.
Deep Clean the House
Maybe something good could come out of all this — your house finally getting a long overdue deep cleaning. Roll up your sleeves and have your cleaning equipment ready. Make sure you get to wipe down and vacuum your headboard, the bed posts, and the floor, especially around your bed.
Get under your bed and get rid of all the clutter. Clean and give everything a good wipe as you go through each item. For upholstered furniture, make sure you clean them thoroughly as well, following instructions for the right fabric care to avoid damaging anything.
Post-treatment Prevention
Now that bed bugs have been killed, you want to make sure none of their eggs are left too. Using a firm brush, or an attachment on your vacuum if available, clean away dead bed bugs and eggs, and get into every corner and crevices. Don’t forget the furnishings and the trim of your mattress as well.
This will prevent further infestation and keep your home healthy and pest-free too.
Make a Habit of Checking Pets and Luggage After a Trip
Bed bugs have been notoriously dubbed “hitchhiker bugs” because they can easily latch onto clothing and luggage. This happens when you weren’t aware that the hotel you were staying at had bed bugs. Sometimes this also happens when you place bags on the floor of airports, hotel lobbies, or other places that may have bed bugs too. While bed bugs don’t inflict that much harm on pets, they can still latch onto them.
So as a preventive measure, make it a habit to check pets and luggage when you get home. We know it’s pretty common to just leave your bags in a corner when you get home. But at this point, it’s absolutely necessary that you integrate this into your post-travel routine.
Avoid Clutter Especially Around the Bed
Cluttered spaces are an attraction site for bed bugs. This makes it easier for them to hide and breed, and harder for you to locate and treat them. One rule of thumb in keeping a house clean is this: don’t put it down, put it back. Practice cleaning up after yourself to avoid making a mess, and no bed bug will bother you.
Deal with Bed Bugs Safely
Bed bugs are frustrating, but they can always be dealt with safely. Once you know bed bugs, what they look like, and where they usually hide, you can easily prevent an infestation from getting out of hand. Don’t forget that a neat home is a healthy home, and this means that bed bugs won’t have the luxury of finding a spot to live in. If you’re unsure of how to deal with these pests, go for a bed bug consultation in San Jose, CA. The bed bug experts will help you get rid of them for good.
