Once you determine that you have bed bugs, you need to take quick action to get rid of them. Thankfully, you can work at getting rid of them as soon as you find them. Here are some helpful hints to get you started.

Strip Your Bed

As soon as you notice evidence of bed bugs, take everything off of your bed and inspect the mattress, pillows and bed frame. Make sure all the bedding goes directly into a plastic bag to prevent the bugs from hopping anywhere.

Wash the Bedding

Wash all of the bedding, including the bedspread, sheets, pillowcases and blankets in hot water. If your pillows are washable, throw them in the washer, too. The hot water will help kill any bed bugs that are on the bedding.

Vacuum

Vacuum the surface of your mattress with an appropriate attachment to remove any bed bugs and eggs that are on the surface. Dispose of the contents in a sealable plastic bag. Do it outside, so the bugs do not stay in the house.

Spray

Spray your bed frame with pesticide to make sure all the bed bugs are killed. You may want to dismantle your bed frame, if possible, to get into all the crevices.

Encase Your Box Spring and Mattress

Completely cover your box spring and mattress with a fabric that traps the bed bugs inside. These encasements should be kept on your mattress and box spring for at least one year.

Traps

You can purchase moat-style traps that isolate the bed and keep the bed bugs from coming into contact with a human host. You can also buy sticky pads that go under the feet of the bed. These traps attract the bed bugs and catch them before they can bite or produce eggs. You can also create your own homemade traps by using a combination of baby powder and talc. Instructions for creating these traps can easily be found online.

Chemicals Designed for Home Use

As a last resort, you can use commercial chemicals to get rid of your bed bug infestation. If you choose this route, be sure to select chemicals that have been approved for home use, are specifically marked for getting rid of bed bugs and are registered with the EPA. Also, follow all instructions precisely and carefully.

Call a Pest Control Professional

Your best bet for getting rid of bed bugs is to call in a professional to do the job. Professional exterminators have the proper skills and tools to get rid of bed bugs safely and quickly.

If you have found evidence of bed bugs in your home, call ABC Exterminating today. We can get rid of your bed bugs today, so you can rest easy tonight.