First Thing: Purchase a Good Bed Bug Proof Mattress

Use bed bug-proof mattress covers to create a barrier between you and them so they do not have access to feed on your blood. Hence, you are essentially starving them. Bed bug proof mattresses also prevent bed bugs from climbing onto your bed. If they cannot feed they will eventually die, therefore this treatment option is very powerful. However, this solution is not guaranteed to solve your bed bug issue by itself as bed bugs still may be able to get to you while you sleep even if you have a bed bug proof mattress.

Look Under The Bed

Remove items you store under your bed and package them into plastic bags. Many times our pest exterminators find bed bugs under beds and in items that were stored under the bed.

Inspect Sofas

Check your couch seams and cushions. Make sure the remove all cushions from your sofas and carefully inspect all seams. Also turn over your sofas to inspect the bottom part of the sofa.

Inspect Under Carpets & Area Rugs

If you have carpets check the edges where they meet the wall for bugs and eggs and also check cracks in your baseboards. Bed bugs like wood and fabric. The best idea is to have your take your rugs to a professional rug cleaning company.

Wash & Dry Clean Everything on High Heat

It is important to clean infested items in your home and prevent them from becoming re-infested with bed bugs until the problem is eradicated. Bed bugs cannot survive steam and hot temperatures so wash your bed covers, linens, laundry hamper, and any fabric/material items you have that could harbor bed bugs on high heat. Dry on the hottest setting as well and be sure to store the newly cleaned items in sealed plastic bags or sealed storage containers. For small items that you cannot wash or are dry clean only, you should put them in your dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

Wrap Large and Non-Washable Items in Plastic Wrap Thoroughly

For things that you cannot put in the laundry at all, you can try to kill the bugs by wrapping the items in plastic and placing them in the hot sun and letting it stay for a few days so the bugs die. Conversely, bed bugs cannot tolerate below freezing temperatures. To try a freezing method, the infested items must be kept at below freezing temperatures for at least two weeks or in a freezer at – 19 degrees Celsius for at least 4 days. There are no guarantees that it will kill all bed bugs but it may be helpful. You could also try putting things in your backyard if it is a freezing winter and let it stay for two weeks.

Purchase a High-Quality Non-Toxic Bed Bug Spray

You can use non-toxic bed bug spray in other items such as handbags. However, they need to be sprayed and sealed in plastic for a period of a few weeks. There are many bed bug sprays on the market, and the best ones are the non-toxic sprays. Do not purchase the toxic bed bug sprays, especially if you have pets or children as they are very dangerous if consumed or inhaled.

Rent a Steam Spraying Appliance or Purchase One and Return It!

Steam kills bed bugs at all their life stages so you can use a steam spraying appliance and aim it at your baseboards and other areas you know to be infested to kill individuals and their eggs. Contrary to what seems logical, steam cleaning should be done before vacuuming to cause whatever survivors are left to evacuate. Vacuuming can then suck up remaining survivors if they are still on the item and should make the bugs more accessible. Steam cleaning your carpets, mattresses and upholstery is beneficial to kill the bed bugs and eggs. Bed bugs die at a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius and steam is at least at the boiling temperature of water which is 100 degrees Celsius. Be careful using a steam cleaner that produces a lot of moisture because you do not want to saturate your mattress and possibly cause mold to grow. Opt for a dry steamer or low vapour steamer to avoid the potential mold issue when ridding your bed of bed bugs. Also, ensure that you steam clean slowly so that the steam gets as far as possible through the mattress, killing as many bugs as possible.

Discard Items Too Difficult To Clean

If there is something that cannot be washed, heated or steam cleaned you should highly consider discarding the item since you wouldn’t want that one item or items to be the safe haven for the bed bugs.

Seal Cracks and Holes

Seal cracks and loose wallpaper where bed bugs like to stay. During the day they hide in inconspicuous places such as: behind electrical switch plates and picture frames. Use drywall sealant or glue to seal holes and cracks.

Purchase Diatomaceous Earth; It Works

Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is a product that can be used safely in your home to effectively kill bed bugs. It is made of fossilized diatoms and is a dust which sticks onto bed bugs when they crawl onto it. It acts to absorb the natural water-saving cuticle layer of insect exoskeletons causing the bugs to desiccate and die. It is safe and is a good natural alternative to other chemicals. You can use this on your mattress, in cracks, crevices, carpets and more.

Use Bed Bug Traps

Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is a product that can be used safely in your home to effectively kill bed bugs. It is made of fossilized diatoms and is a dust which sticks onto bed bugs when they crawl onto it. It acts to absorb the natural water-saving cuticle layer of insect exoskeletons causing the bugs to desiccate and die. It is safe and is a good natural alternative to other chemicals. You can use this on your mattress, in cracks, crevices, carpets and more.

You can also try using bed bug traps. You will get the best possible results if you set up many bed bug traps in all infested areas. The reason for having many traps is to kill as many bed bugs as possible so they do not reproduce quickly. Bed bug traps are also great for preventing bed bugs from biting you, as they go to feed in the bed bug trap on the baking soda. There are many videos n the internet, which show how to create a bed bug trap.

Tee Tree Oil Works Wonders

Tea tree oil is a great natural substance that wards off bed bugs. Spray your home and all the furniture with a spray you can make at home consisting of 18 oz of water and 18 drops of tea tree oil.

Places To Look To Find Bed Bugs

Please refer to the below images to find the most common bed bug hiding spots.