Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are tiny insects known as ‘nuisance pests’ that feed on the blood of humans. The average adult bed bug is no larger than an apple seed, roughly 1/4 inch long or 5 mm. To try to spot these creatures, you would need a magnifying glass. Bed bugs are flattened and have tiny shrimp-like antennae. Bed bug bites are often found in straight lines, as they travel in a single file.
These tiny creatures hang out in beds and can travel all over your home. If you spot them, be diligent and consistent before an infestation gets out of control. Getting rid of them is not easy and will take time. Here are a few ways you can keep them from breeding or spreading their infestation:
You Have Never Eliminated Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are resilient. Eliminating them is no easy task. They are hard to see with eyes. Their eggs remain buried deep in cracks and crevices in your furniture or bed frame. The tiny creatures won’t just disappear on their own. If you plan to throw out all the items from your home because of bed bugs, reassess the operation. Most of these items can be treated for bed bugs and saved with a little effort.
Getting rid of bed bugs is a complicated operation but not entirely impossible. The key is to be methodical and patient. Start by dumping any item that cannot be treated or cleaned. Then clean up everything else; treat them with sprays, powders, or diatomaceous earth. Remember to label each bag or box that contains items you need dumped. If you have more than one infested room or closet, concentrate on one room at a time.
Clear the Clutter
A cluttered home is a bed bug sanctuary. Clutter creates hiding places for bed bugs. You will have a hard time locating and treating these pesky pests. All those nooks and crannies provide more places for bed bugs to hide. The same goes for cleaning the trash out of your bedroom. It is safer to clean up the clutter before you start treating an infestation than once they have moved on to other things. Put things back in their proper place for easy locating. It also creates a safe space free of toxins that can affect your health and the environment.
Regular Vacuum-Cleaning
Vacuum cleaners are a great way to eliminate and reduce bed bug count at home. Vacuuming prevents them from spreading further. It also helps to kill off some of those pesky insects. Vacuuming works well if you focus on areas where the bed bugs are visible. A vacuum cleaner can’t suck all bed bugs, as they may remain hidden under or within the furniture and other items. Vacuuming with a crevice attachment may work in such instances.
Vacuuming sucks bed bugs as well as their eggs. However, vacuuming alone is not the ideal way to eliminate all bed bugs. You must seal the vacuum bag tightly and dispose of it outdoors. Failing to do so would only re-invite the creatures indoors. If the vacuum cleaner is bagless, pour its contents into a bag, seal it tightly and dispose of it safely.
Dry Clothes on High Heat
Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, and items touching the floor to remove dust mites and other allergens from your home. In addition to regular laundering, use fabric softener instead of dryer sheets as it helps reduce static cling that attracts dust.
For best results, use your dryer. Heat a large wash and add tomato juice, vinegar, or laundry detergent to the load. Dry as usual until the clothes are completely dry. The process will kill bed bugs hidden in small spaces like seams, zippers, buttons, and pleats.
Seal Possible Cracks and Crevices
A gap between the wall and the floor is another bed bug-prone area. Sealing the gap with caulk is the easiest solution to eliminate and prevent bed bugs. Use silicone caulk to seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors, besides other small openings. The seal prevents the bugs from entering your home, keeping the mess to a minimum. This treatment will also reduce the number of roaches in your house by eliminating their sanctuary in hiding places out of sight from you.
Get rid of Infested Items
Maintaining a clean environment that keeps pests at bay involves keeping the area free of food scraps, trash, and dead animals. Sweep or mop your floors often to remove spilt food and beverages. Clear the soiled wool fabrics, fur, and feathers before storing them. Storing food in a clean and dry area away from pests will help protect the food items. Sweep or mop the area to remove spilt soda, food, beverages, and droppings. Clean spilt grease off floors, countertops and wall areas with a grease remover or soap-detergent blend before wiping with a damp cloth. Holes in bags and boxes should be closed tightly.
When to Consider Expert bed bug Treatment
Most people consider bed bug infestation is a manageable minor inconvenience. However, the infestation may be of sufficient severity to cause health problems.
If you have a pest infestation problem at home, address the issue at the earliest possibility. Use pesticides only when necessary and leave them there as little time as possible. Pesticides can be toxic to children and pets, so take precautions to protect your family. The best option is never to attempt to treat bed bug infestations yourself. Reach out for professional assistance instead. The pest control technicians are experts on the subject’s life cycle, habits and preferences. They use effective active ingredients and formulations.
Contact a professional bed bug pest control company in Singapore. They are professionals who can effectively eliminate pests without compromising your home or the environment.
Takeaway
Spotting bed bugs can be difficult as they come out at night and hide during the day. The best way to avoid an infestation is to educate yourself about their behaviour and understand their habits. If you spot them, work hard to eliminate the pests before an infestation gets out of control.
Bed bug infestations are difficult to identify and can be challenging for anyone. That’s why seeking the assistance of a professional pest control company is essential. They have the expertise and experience needed to detect bed bugs and use the best treatment plan to ensure they are gone for good.
If your property is known to have bed bugs, the initial treatment must be a visit by a specialist technician or a team. It ensures no chance for any eggs or larvae to survive. Ironman Pest Control is here to deliver the most effective solution to your problem, based on adherence to the highest standards of pest control in Singapore.