How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Without an Exterminator | DIY Methods To get Rid of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs make your skin crawl just thinking about them. If you’re allergic to them or can feel them bite, you’ll be unable to sleep through the night for weeks.
Even if you’re not allergic, the idea of tiny bugs dwelling in mattress cracks is disconcerting. Regardless of how distressing that concept is, most individuals end up living with it since they can’t manage to get rid of it. Exterminators are costly, and a single treatment is seldom enough to eradicate them.
Unfortunately, I’ve had plenty of experience with them and know a few others who have dealt with them. Everything I’ve learned so far is listed here, and it should be enough to get rid of those bed bugs.
Step-by-Step Guide to get Rid of Bed Bugs
A person will not see a bed bug climbing up their wall in the early stages of an infestation. When they find a bite (or three) on their arm or leg when they wake up, most individuals assume these pesky insects.
- The bites are the first indication that something is wrong. There are a few more indicators that individuals might check for to see if they are the source of the unexplained bites.
- Take a look at the mattress’s seams. Examine every nook and cranny of the mattress. There will be other indicators if bed bugs are present. The most obvious indicator is a bug, although seeing one isn’t always straightforward.
- Another telltale indicator is that small black specks in the mattress fissures resemble dirt. That’s their feces.
If you believe the mattress is just soiled due to wearing shoes on the bed, vacuum it and return in a few days. It’s bed bugs if there are more black dots and bites.
Examine Everywhere
If you suspect an infestation, the first step is to check the severity of the problem. This stage is tedious and will take some time, but it is necessary. Exterminators might help you, but you’ll be able to do a better job yourself.
Remove the sheets off the bed and use a flashlight to inspect the mattress. The baby ones may require a magnifying lens, but the adults can usually be seen with the naked eye. After checking the bed, go around the remainder of the house and inspect every nook.
Here are some suggestions for getting into the correct frame of mind:
- Take a look at the tops of the curtains.
- Remove the clothes from the dresser drawers and inspect the edges.
- Remove the drawers and inspect the interior of the dresser.
- Take a look inside your shoes.
- Examine the kitchen tables and chairs’ undersides.
- Examine the fabric folds in the couch.
These little creatures can hide almost anywhere, but they prefer to snuggle in cloth or wood if they can. Determine the severity of the problem by inspecting every crack and crevice in the house.
Remember that they will try to stay as close to the food supply (you) as possible. Thus if someone solely sleeps in their bed, they are more likely to be in the bedroom than in the kitchen. However, if the infestation is serious, they can be found almost anywhere, including inside the walls.
What to do when you see Bed Bugs?
Everything I’ve learned so far is listed here, and it should be enough to get rid of those bed bugs. Here’s what to look for if you believe you have bed bugs.
A person will not see a bed bug climbing up their wall in the early stages of an infestation. There are many ways to get rid of bed bugs. The best way to go is to learn about the many options available and combine them all.
Put Everything in Dryer
Remove any contaminated clothing, bed linens, curtains, and other objects and set them in dryers. After one whole cycle in the dryer, they will perish. However, take care not to overfill the dryer. If there are too many garments in the dryer, the heat will not reach all of them, and they will not all be killed; thus, do smaller loads.
Vacuum
During this process, your vacuum will be your best buddy. It’s a quick and easy technique to suck up bugs, including nearly undetectable babies.
Remove the sheets and blankets from the bed and vacuum every inch of it—the edges, the underside, etc. After that, air dries the sheets before replacing them on the bed. Every few days, repeat the process.
Vacuum everything in the house, including the couches, chairs, and other beds, in the same manner. Even if the area isn’t affected, this will ensure that a rogue bed bug hasn’t made its way across. Empty the vacuum into a plastic rubbish bag, tie it tightly so they can’t escape, and throw it away when you’re done.
Make use of Rubbing Alcohol
This is a fantastic treatment but only for specific areas. When rubbing alcohol comes into contact with a bed bug, it kills it instantaneously. Get a large jug of rubbing alcohol with at least 95% concentration. They can, for example, hide deep within the couch where the vacuum cannot reach. Rubbing alcohol sprayed on specific locations will kill bed bugs immediately. Do it every day for two weeks, noticing a huge difference.
Use Steam
Because it destroys both the bugs and the eggs, steam is an excellent way to get rid of bed bugs. Rubbing alcohol, for example, does not harm the eggs. The eggs are also unaffected by the suction. Bed bugs use glue to attach their eggs to surfaces, so no amount of suction will be able to remove them.
Investing in a good steamer is an excellent approach to getting rid of the eggs. Especially for wood floors, a steam mop with built-in steam is great. Bed bugs can also hide in those crevices. The steamer is detachable and can be used on dressers, couches, and other furniture.
Use Bed Covers
Some individuals are afraid of bed covers because they believe the bed bugs are still in the mattress. However, these covers are also an excellent preventative precaution. After vacuuming the bed, cover it with a plastic cover to prevent the mattress from becoming contaminated again.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Without an Exterminator | DIY Methods To get Rid of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs make your skin crawl just thinking about them. If you’re allergic to them or can feel them bite, you’ll be unable to sleep through the night for weeks.
Even if you’re not allergic, the idea of tiny bugs dwelling in mattress cracks is disconcerting. Regardless of how distressing that concept is, most individuals end up living with it since they can’t manage to get rid of it. Exterminators are costly, and a single treatment is seldom enough to eradicate them.
Unfortunately, I’ve had plenty of experience with them and know a few others who have dealt with them. Everything I’ve learned so far is listed here, and it should be enough to get rid of those bed bugs.
Step-by-Step Guide to get Rid of Bed Bugs
A person will not see a bed bug climbing up their wall in the early stages of an infestation. When they find a bite (or three) on their arm or leg when they wake up, most individuals assume these pesky insects.
- The bites are the first indication that something is wrong. There are a few more indicators that individuals might check for to see if they are the source of the unexplained bites.
- Take a look at the mattress’s seams. Examine every nook and cranny of the mattress. There will be other indicators if bed bugs are present. The most obvious indicator is a bug, although seeing one isn’t always straightforward.
- Another telltale indicator is that small black specks in the mattress fissures resemble dirt. That’s their feces.
If you believe the mattress is just soiled due to wearing shoes on the bed, vacuum it and return in a few days. It’s bed bugs if there are more black dots and bites.
Examine Everywhere
If you suspect an infestation, the first step is to check the severity of the problem. This stage is tedious and will take some time, but it is necessary. Exterminators might help you, but you’ll be able to do a better job yourself.
Remove the sheets off the bed and use a flashlight to inspect the mattress. The baby ones may require a magnifying lens, but the adults can usually be seen with the naked eye. After checking the bed, go around the remainder of the house and inspect every nook.
Here are some suggestions for getting into the correct frame of mind:
- Take a look at the tops of the curtains.
- Remove the clothes from the dresser drawers and inspect the edges.
- Remove the drawers and inspect the interior of the dresser.
- Take a look inside your shoes.
- Examine the kitchen tables and chairs’ undersides.
- Examine the fabric folds in the couch.
These little creatures can hide almost anywhere, but they prefer to snuggle in cloth or wood if they can. Determine the severity of the problem by inspecting every crack and crevice in the house.
Remember that they will try to stay as close to the food supply (you) as possible. Thus if someone solely sleeps in their bed, they are more likely to be in the bedroom than in the kitchen. However, if the infestation is serious, they can be found almost anywhere, including inside the walls.
What to do when you see Bed Bugs?
Everything I’ve learned so far is listed here, and it should be enough to get rid of those bed bugs. Here’s what to look for if you believe you have bed bugs.
A person will not see a bed bug climbing up their wall in the early stages of an infestation. There are many ways to get rid of bed bugs. The best way to go is to learn about the many options available and combine them all.
Put Everything in Dryer
Remove any contaminated clothing, bed linens, curtains, and other objects and set them in dryers. After one whole cycle in the dryer, they will perish. However, take care not to overfill the dryer. If there are too many garments in the dryer, the heat will not reach all of them, and they will not all be killed; thus, do smaller loads.
Vacuum
During this process, your vacuum will be your best buddy. It’s a quick and easy technique to suck up bugs, including nearly undetectable babies.
Remove the sheets and blankets from the bed and vacuum every inch of it—the edges, the underside, etc. After that, air dries the sheets before replacing them on the bed. Every few days, repeat the process.
Vacuum everything in the house, including the couches, chairs, and other beds, in the same manner. Even if the area isn’t affected, this will ensure that a rogue bed bug hasn’t made its way across. Empty the vacuum into a plastic rubbish bag, tie it tightly so they can’t escape, and throw it away when you’re done.
Make use of Rubbing Alcohol
This is a fantastic treatment but only for specific areas. When rubbing alcohol comes into contact with a bed bug, it kills it instantaneously. Get a large jug of rubbing alcohol with at least 95% concentration. They can, for example, hide deep within the couch where the vacuum cannot reach. Rubbing alcohol sprayed on specific locations will kill bed bugs immediately. Do it every day for two weeks, noticing a huge difference.
Use Steam
Because it destroys both the bugs and the eggs, steam is an excellent way to get rid of bed bugs. Rubbing alcohol, for example, does not harm the eggs. The eggs are also unaffected by the suction. Bed bugs use glue to attach their eggs to surfaces, so no amount of suction will be able to remove them.
Investing in a good steamer is an excellent approach to getting rid of the eggs. Especially for wood floors, a steam mop with built-in steam is great. Bed bugs can also hide in those crevices. The steamer is detachable and can be used on dressers, couches, and other furniture.
Use Bed Covers
Some individuals are afraid of bed covers because they believe the bed bugs are still in the mattress. However, these covers are also an excellent preventative precaution. After vacuuming the bed, cover it with a plastic cover to prevent the mattress from becoming contaminated again.