Top Tips for Bed Bug Removal

Bed bugs are a common household nuisance that can cause itchy bites and sleepless nights for many families. These small, reddish-brown insects feed on human blood, resulting in painful bites and severe discomfort.

If you’ve discovered these unwelcome guests in your home, you may feel overwhelmed and desperate to remove them. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for eliminating bed bugs.

In this blog post, Home Paramount Pest Control shares some tips to help you regain control of your living space and eradicate bed bugs once and for all.

Identify the Problem

Before you can effectively treat the problem, you need to first confirm that a bed bug infestation exists. Look for the following signs:

• Bite marks: Bed bug bite marks create small, red, itchy welts on your skin, often in a line or cluster.
• Blood stains: Bed bug bites draw blood, creating small, rusty spots on your sheets or pillowcases.
• Eggs and shells: Tiny, white, oval-shaped eggs and empty shells will be present where bed bugs have hatched.
• Fecal spots: Bed bugs will produce dark, small stains on your bedding, mattress, or walls.
• Live bugs: These tiny bugs are about the size of an apple seed and can be found in the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards.

Clean & Declutter

One of the first steps in bed bug removal is to thoroughly clean and declutter your space to eliminate hiding places and make it easier to spot and treat pests. Here’s what to do:

• Reduce clutter: Remove unnecessary items from your bedroom and other infested areas to minimize hiding spots.
• Vacuum regularly: Focus on areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and carpeted areas. Dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag immediately.
• Wash bedding and clothing: Use hot water and the highest dryer setting to kill bed bugs and their eggs.

Use Heat Treatment

Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat; exposure to temperatures above 120º F can effectively kill them. Ways to use heat treatment to eradicate bed bugs include:

• Heat chambers: For larger items, such as furniture, you can use a portable heat chamber designed to kill bed bugs.
• Hot water: Wash infested clothing, bedding, and other items in hot water and dry them on high heat.
• Steam cleaning: Use a steam cleaner to treat mattresses, furniture, and other surfaces where bed bugs may be hiding.

Apply Insecticides

Insecticides can be effective tools for fighting bed bugs but should be used cautiously. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and consider hiring a professional for more extensive infestations. Some common insecticides include:

• Diatomaceous earth: This insecticide works by drying out the bed bugs’ exoskeletons, causing them to die.
• Insect growth regulators: These products disrupt the development of bed bugs, preventing them from maturing and reproducing.
• Neonicotinoids: These chemicals affect the nervous system of bed bugs and can be effective against resistant populations.
• Pyrethroids and pyrethrins: These are common insecticides that can kill bed bugs on contact; however, some bed bug populations have developed resistance to them.

Use Bed Bug Encasements

Bed bug encasements are specially designed covers for mattresses and box springs that trap bed bugs inside and prevent new infestations from developing. These encasements should be left in place for at least a year to ensure all bed bugs have died.

Monitor & Follow Up

After treating your home, it’s important to continue monitoring for bed bugs to ensure the infestation has been completely eradicated. Use bed bug interceptors under bed legs to catch any remaining bugs, and regularly inspect your home for signs of activity.

Get Help from Home Paramount Pest Control

Bed bug infestations can be challenging to eliminate, but you can reclaim your home with persistence and the right strategies. If you’ve tried these methods and still can’t get the problem under control, it’s time to bring in the professionals at Home Paramount Pest Control.

With our expertise and advanced techniques, we can effectively eliminate bed bugs and provide you with the peace of mind you deserve.

Get a bed bug extermination quote from our team by booking a bed bug inspection today.