Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that live on the blood of humans or animals. Their most distinctive feature is their ability to reproduce rapidly, and a healthy female bed bug can give five hundred eggs in a life span.
Bed bugs with their tiny bodies manage to make a home for themselves in the nooks and crannies of your home. And as the name suggests, their favorite hideout is beds – mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and headboards. They tend to come out at night and bite people, which can be an inconvenience. In short, if you have bed bugs in your home, they will wreak havoc. So, we recommend identifying bed bugs and getting rid of them as soon as possible.
Here’s how you can do home pest control, Boynton Beach residents:
Identifying Bed Bugs
If you see tiny insects crawling around your home, identify what they are. Following are signs of a bed bug infestation:
- You wake up with red, itchy bites and welts all over your skin
- You find bloodstains on your pillowcases and bedsheets
- The bugs are 5mm in size and filled with blood
- You find dark spots on your sheets, clothes, and mattresses. These dark spots are bed bug excrement
- You spot skin sheds and eggs inside your mattresses, or their hiding place
- Bugs have a strong, musty odor which you can smell on your sheets
When you suspect an infestation, do a thorough inspection. Look for bed bugs in the following places:
- Any used bed or mattress you’ve bought recently
- In the seams of mattresses
- In cracks of the headboard and bed frame
- Near the tags of the box spring and the mattress
- In the wood furniture such as dressers, nightstands, wardrobe, etc
- Inside the folds of curtains
- In cracks of couches and their cushions
- Inside electrical switchboards
- Underneath the wallpaper
- Underneath the carpet
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs
When you have identified the bed bugs, it is extremely critical to contain them immediately, as they can spread quickly, making it harder to treat them. Keep on reading to learn how you can get rid of bed bugs:
Deep Cleaning
Do a thorough deep cleaning. Wash all your beddings and covers at the highest temperature. Scrub the seams of your mattress to remove the bugs and their eggs. Vacuum every possible place, such as your bed, cushions, curtains, and carpets. Makes sure to properly seal up the vacuumed contents, throw them away, and clean the vacuum.
Steaming
Use a steamer on your box springs, mattress, couches, and other hiding places. It is an effective treatment to prevent and kill bed bugs.
Mattress Covering
Place a bedbug-proof cover on your mattresses and box spring after you’ve cleaned them, minimizing the spread. You will also get a peaceful sleep, preventing bed bugs bites.
Discard the Items
If anything can’t be cleaned or washed, such as furniture, throw it away. Please do not give it away to anyone as that is very irresponsible on your part.
Chemical Treatments
If the above doesn’t help in reducing and treating bed bugs, try using the following chemical treatments:
Insecticides: Two effective insecticides for killing bed bugs are pyrethroids and pyrethrins. They are relatively less toxic and safe to use at home.
Desiccants: Desiccants such as diatomaceous earth and silica aerogel help destroy bed bugs’ outer layer, and without this protective layer, they dry out and die.
Bug Bombs: Bug bombs kill bed bugs instantly; however, they have high toxicity, making them harsh for people and pets. If you decide to opt for bug bombs, evacuate your home for a few days.
Professional Help
If you cannot manage bed bugs on your own, it’s time to call the experts. Experienced pest exterminators have the advantage of using treatments that are not available to you. It is also safer as they are well-versed with chemicals, which can be hazardous to use on your own.
Are You Looking for a Pest Exterminator in Boynton Beach, Florida, and Palm Beach County?
Live a bedbug-free life, thanks to Ringdahl Pest Control. We help commercial and residential properties in Boynton Beach, Florida, and all over Palm Beach County. Moreover, our pest control programs are highly effective, efficient, and budget-friendly. We offer free onsite consultation as well.
If you want to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, contact us now:
Phone: (561) 737 6413
Email: [email protected]
