If you’ve ever had an infestation of bedbugs, you know how hard it is to get rid of them. These pests are sneaky and persistent and love to hide in places where you wouldn’t expect them to be found—especially mattresses, couches, and clothing.
When you have a bedbug problem, it’s important to act quickly to keep the situation under control and prevent future infestations. In this article, we’ll discuss some steps you can take when dealing with bedbugs in your home.
What is the main cause of bed bugs?
There are many causes of bed bugs. The most common cause is travel. Bed bugs can hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, or even in the seams of your suitcase. Once in your home, they can hide in any dark crevice or behind baseboards and electrical outlets.
Another common cause is used furniture that was infested when it was purchased. When you bring home used furniture or other items previously owned by someone else, you risk bringing their bed bugs along with them.
No matter the cause, once you see one, it keeps getting worse from there. Hence, we have curated a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of bedbugs for good.
Step 1: Identify all infested areas
To get rid of bedbugs, it is important for you first to identify all the infested areas. Once you know where the roots are, you can diminish them from the roots. They are mostly found in dark, closed areas such as under mattresses and behind baseboards. Inspect your bed thoroughly to find bedbug stains, and check the corners of the mattresses and the borders because they like to hide in small unlit spaces where it isn’t easy to spot. Once you have found some places where bedbugs have been infested, you can call for Terminix pest control treatments to get rid of them. The professionals provide initial comprehensive interior and exterior inspection and treatment. After the treatment, they also provide ongoing exterior treatments quarterly.
The pest control in Vienna VA provides efficient and effective services for controlling various pests in the area. This ensures that the bed bugs are completely eradicated from your home.
Step 2: Contain the infestation
The second step in getting rid of bedbugs is to contain the infestation. This means putting all your clothing and other items into garbage bags and storing them in a separate room until you can get rid of the bugs. You may also want to store some items in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Keep everything that cannot be washed or dried in a freezer or refrigerator for at least four weeks until you are sure the bedbugs are gone.
It would help if you sealed any cracks or holes in baseboards, walls, and floors so that they cannot come back into your home through these openings.
Step 3: Prep for bedbug treatment
Before you start to treat the bedbugs, you need to prepare your home. This includes making sure that all of your belongings are sealed up in containers so they can’t spread any more eggs and larvae. You’ll also need to remove anything that can’t be washed in hot water (like books and furniture) from the room you’re treating. In addition, you should vacuum thoroughly around your home before you begin treating for bedbugs.
If you have pets, make sure they stay out of the area where you’ll be treating for bedbugs. It’s also a good idea to keep them out of your bedroom during this time, just in case any eggs or larvae escape from their hiding spots while you’re cleaning them up.
Step 5: Evaluate and prevent bedbugs from infesting again
Bedbugs can be a persistent problem, but you can take steps to help prevent them from returning.
If you have an infestation, remove all your furniture and wash all your clothes in hot water. It’s also important to ensure no cracks or crevices in the walls or other areas where bedbugs could hide.
If you have a bedbug infestation, you must consult a professional exterminator who knows how to treat these pests safely and effectively.
Step 6: Get the pros involved
The most effective way to get rid of bedbugs is to hire a pest control professional. These professionals have access to insecticides that can be applied to the entire structure of your home and will kill bedbugs from multiple angles. They also have the training and equipment needed to locate and treat all the hiding places you may not be able to reach yourself.
If you decide to go this route, make sure you choose an experienced exterminator who has experience treating bedbugs and similar pests. These specialists can also provide instructions on cleaning up after treatment, which is critical because it can take weeks or months before all traces of bedbug eggs are gone.
Final Words
The bedbug is a resilient insect that can elude detection for a long time. Still, by implementing the steps outlined above, you can take charge of exterminating bedbugs from your home permanently. Outsmarting the bedbug does not have to be hard or costly; it requires patience, diligence, and a strong commitment to getting rid of these unwanted pests.