9 Important Steps For Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs often become unwanted hitchhikers in these days of international travel, because they can easily stow away in luggage, boxes and parcels. This has resulted in many more people now needing to know the secrets of getting rid of bed bugs than in past generations.

So how do you get rid of bed bugs?

1) Get rid of all unwanted items from the room (newspapers, magazines, etc.) by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and disposing of them securely.

2) Remove all bed linen and clothes from the room in sealed plastic bags and ensure that you wash the contents on as hot a wash as possible (120F as a minimum).

3) If possible take all furniture outside and give it a thorough clean with your vacuum cleaner. Steam clean it if you have access to a machine.

4) Do the same with your mattress, then seal up and holes or splits in the mattress. If your mattress is old and/or damaged you should get rid of it and buy a new one. Alternatively you could treat the mattress with a special powder and seal it up in a mattress cover.

5) Steam clean your carpet, or scrub your wooden floor with a hard brush to dislodge eggs.

6) Go round the room and seal up all holes and cracks around pipes, skirting/baseboards boards, etc.

7) Vacuum the room thoroughly, paying special attention to places where the bed bugs could be hiding.

8) Discard the bag from your vacuum cleaner by placing it in a sealed plastic bag before throwing it into the trash.

9) Choose from a range of different products that are available, ensuring that you select the right powder, liquid or spray for the job in hand (some are for hard surfaces, and some for soft surfaces). Follow the instructions carefully!

Getting rid of bed bugs can be a very time consuming task if you decide to do it yourself.