Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that target humans, typically while they sleep. These pests often bite exposed skin, targeting areas such as the back, neck, shoulders, and arms. Bed bugs hide in crevices and seams of bedding, furniture, or mattresses, making them difficult to detect and eliminate. They frequent places where people rest, causing discomfort and irritation. Effective control and prevention methods are essential to keep them at bay and maintain a healthy environment.
Ways to identify the presence of bed bugs
Bed bugs are called so because of the area where they frequent—spaces in and around the bedding. Although one can find them in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and inside cracks on the bed frame, one can also detect them in gaps in upholstered furniture, curtain folds, and under undisturbed cushions. They can hide well under wall hangings and wallpaper that need to be cleaned regularly. Door and window moldings, unused dressers and drawers, switches, and electric sockets are other favorite hiding spots for bed bugs. Irritation and itchiness resulting from bed bug bites can disrupt one’s sleep. While they primarily target humans, bed bugs can also affect pets like dogs, cats, and birds. The first step in addressing the issues caused by bed bugs is to identify them.
Adult bed bugs are easily visible to the human eye, so knowing how they look will help one identify the areas they frequent and take the necessary steps to eliminate them.
- Adult bed bugs often have a reddish-brown body, which appears flat before feeding. But, after feeding, their body may appear like a balloon.
- They are oval in shape, often resembling a flattened apple seed.
- Bed bugs’ eggs are whitish and often the size of a pinhead. These eggs normally hatch in about two weeks after being laid.
- Since bed bugs are active at night, this is the best time to spot them.
Natural products and home remedies for bed bugs
1. Diatomaceous earth
For those looking for DIY solutions to manage bed bugs, diatomaceous earth serves as an effective remedy. This all-natural dust product scrapes away the waxy outer layer of the bed bug’s body, causing it to lose too much moisture, eventually eliminating it. To use this remedy, one can use a flat paintbrush to spread it around the bed legs and mattresses, in their seams and creases, inside box springs, and even on the carpets in the bedroom. It takes nearly a week to seventeen days to completely eliminate bed bugs. So, after this period, vacuum everything well to remove all the residue. Wear gloves and a mask for added safety when using diatomaceous earth.
2. Baking Soda
This effective and natural bug remedy works by absorbing all the fluids present on the waxy layer of the bed bug’s body, causing dehydration. One can spread the baking soda around the areas frequented by bed bugs, including the wall edges, furniture legs, doorways, and potential entry points. A week after application, remove the baking soda along with the remains of bed bugs. Repeat this process as and when needed to kill bed bugs overnight.
3. White vinegar
Spraying white vinegar directly on the spots where the bed bugs frequent will help reduce the infestation. Apply this either to the edges and corners of mattresses or directly over the bed bugs. Upon contact with their body, white vinegar will affect the bed bugs’ ability to crawl.
4. Homemade bed bug spray recipe
Tea tree oil and lemon grass oil can repel or eliminate bed bugs. Add them to a few drops of water and spray the solution over bed bugs.
If the bed bugs survive these natural remedies and start spreading rapidly, then hiring a professional exterminator is the best way to remove the infestation completely.
Ways to manage bed bugs in mattresses and bed linen
While natural remedies like diatomaceous earth or baking soda are effective, one can’t rule out the possibility of bed bugs moving to a new place to escape such traps. If someone has noticed a beg bug infestation in their mattresses and bed linen, there are some ways to eliminate them instantly.
Hot water
Soak all bed linens and washable clothing in hot water. Next, place them in the dryer, preferably in a high-heat setting. The intense heat dehydrates the bed bugs and eliminates them instantly.
Vacuum cleaning
This is one of the effective ways to remove adult bed bugs. With the help of a brush, dislodge the bed bugs from the crevices and seams of a mattress and use a vacuum instantly to suck in the bugs and collect them in a trash bag. Seal the trash bag well, dispose of it carefully, and clean the vacuum machine thoroughly to prevent bed bugs from sticking to it.
Steam cleaning
Steam cleaners at home can be as effective as a vacuum, as the bed bugs cannot withstand the intense heat generated by these machines. If one does not have access to a steam cleaner, one can hire professional cleaners to eliminate bed bugs quickly.
Portable heating devices for bed bugs
Heat is one of the most effective and quickest at-home remedies to get rid of bed bugs. There are portable heating devices that specialize in eliminating bed bugs. One should place the infested products like bed linen inside the duffle bags that come with such devices. Once the machine is set with a timer to a specific temperature, typically above 120°F, as heat increases, bed bugs will eventually die. The machines will automatically turn off after the set time.