No one wants to share their home with bed bugs! These tiny insects feed on blood, and their bites can be intensely itchy. If you think you have bed bugs, follow these steps to get rid of the tiny critters for good.
1. Diagnose the problem
First, make sure that the problem is really bed bugs and that you require
pest control. Bed bugs are tiny (between 1 mm and 5 mm), so you can’t easily see them with your bare eyes. If you wake up in the morning with itchy bites or wheals on your skin and you suspect that you have bed bugs, start by inspecting the bed thoroughly. A tell-tale sign of bed bugs is small rust-coloured spots on your sheets or pillowcases. If you use a magnifying glass, you may also find dead bug casings in the creases of your mattress.
2. Don’t panic
Ok, so you do have bed bugs. Don’t panic! Bed bug bites are itchy, but they do not carry disease and they are not necessarily a sign of a dirty home.
3. Identify all infested areas
It’s time to identify the areas in your house in which the bed bugs have made themselves at home. This will usually start off in and around a single bed, but with time the bugs can spread throughout a room, and can even move to neighbouring rooms or apartments. Use a torch, magnifying glass and insecticide spray to flush the bed bugs out of any suspected hiding places. Thoroughly inspect the bed and mattress, furniture, appliances and behind picture frames.
4. Bag and remove all objects that don’t need to stay in the room
Now you know where the bugs are hiding, you can start cleaning. Put all removable items from the infected room/s (think soft toys, blankets, portable electronics, etc.) into plastic bags, seal the bags tightly and remove them from the infected areas. Bear in mind that moving items can spread the bugs to other rooms so, if possible, store these bags outside and keep the bags tightly sealed.
5. Wash and tumble dry your bedding
Remove the bed linen and immediately put it into two plastic bags, tying them both tightly shut. Carry the linen to the washing machine and wash it on the highest heat setting on your machine. The temperature must be at least 45°C, but 60°C is even better. For the greatest effect, the bed bugs should be exposed to these high temperatures for at least an hour, so use your tumble dryer afterwards to dry the bedding on high heat. Seal and throw away the plastic bag that was used to transport the bedding.
6. Safely store your bedding
Once your bedding has been washed, vacuum it to remove any eggs that may have been left behind. Seal and throw out the contents of the vacuum cleaner. Store any bedding that won’t be used in new, sealed plastic bags so that it can’t be reinfested. Spray the bed frame and headboard with pesticide.
7. Clean infested furniture
Pull the furniture away from the walls and remove any drawers. Remove and bag the contents of cupboards and drawers if possible, to give the bugs fewer places to hide. Remove and wash curtains and clothing from the room as was done with the bed linen, and place everything in clean sealed plastic bags for storage until the bed bug infestation has been contained.
8. Clean the rest of the room/s
Scrub all surfaces with a stiff-bristled brush to dislodge bugs and their eggs. Then vacuum using the hose, not the brush. Vacuum cracks and crevices around the room as well as any cracks and crevices in furniture, mattresses and carpets. Vacuum over the areas to make sure you suck up any bugs that are trying to cling onto the surfaces. Tightly seal the contents of the vacuum cleaner and discard it in a dustbin outside.
9. Use chemicals to kill any bed bugs that may remain
You can buy chemicals to help you eliminate any remaining bed bugs. However, make sure to use products that actually target bed bugs. Follow the instructions carefully and always be cautious when using toxic chemicals. Note that foggers aren’t useful for treating bed bugs as they aren’t applied directly to the sites where the bugs are found.
10. Encase your beds
Encasing means buying special bed-bug-proof covers for your mattresses, that will trap any remaining bugs inside. The covers will also prevent any new bed bugs from getting into the mattresses. Encasing beds makes it easy to spot new infestations, as there will be nowhere for the bugs to hide. Keep the covers on for at least a year after your last bed bug sighting, to make sure you are in the clear.
11. Keep an eye on the affected areas
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to remove. They can hunker down in crevices and evade even thorough cleaning. Keep an eye out for any new signs of the bugs once you’ve moved back into the room, and act quickly on the first sign of a new infestation. You can buy special bed bug traps that will alert you if a new population tries to move in.
12. Repeat steps 1 to 11 to combat new infestations
Clean and treat infected areas as soon as you see any new signs of bugs. You may have to repeat the steps for at least 7 to 8 weeks before you properly get rid of all the bed bugs – don’t give up! Each treatment should reduce the number of bugs in your home, until you are finally able to eliminate them completely.
13. Call in the pros
If you find that the bed bugs keep coming back, despite your best efforts, it may be time to give the professionals a call. Professional pest controllers are licensed to use stronger chemicals that aren’t available to the general public. They are also experienced in identifying and targeting those hard-to-reach areas where the bugs may be hiding.
14. Prevent new infestations
So, your house has been declared bed bug free – congratulations! But, before you put your feet up, consider taking a few more steps to ensure that you are less likely to have bed bugs in the future. It’s always a good idea to reduce the amount of clutter in your house, as this gives bed bugs fewer places to hide. Another very important tip is to avoid buying second-hand furniture or bedding; or, if you do, make sure that you inspect and wash it thoroughly before you bring it into your house.
Keep an eye out for any new signs, and keep those bugs at bay!