Wondering what to do if you have bed bugs? Tip number one: Identify them!
Sure, bed bug infestations have become a common sight in the past decades. That said, bed bugs have many lookalikes, such as carpet beetles and roach nymphs. Their bites aren’t particularly distinctive, either.
The easiest way to identify bed bugs is to grab a flashlight and look for them. They’re visible to the naked eye, so you should have no issue finding them. Pay extra attention to your mattresses, bedding, and baseboards.
As for what to do when you find bed bugs, that’s another matter altogether. If you’re not sure where to start, here are five tips you should consider.
1. Don’t Panic
Sure, having bed bugs in your home can cause some psychological distress. Still, it’s important to remember that they don’t carry diseases. In fact, ticks and mosquitoes are far more of a threat than bed bugs.
In other words, don’t start throwing away your mattresses and other belongings. Also, don’t use DIY pesticides. Most bed bugs are resistant to them, and there are many .
2. Stay Put
For many of us, the idea of living with bed bugs is terrifying. Once you discover them, you’d be hard-pressed to sleep in the same room again, right?
Well, that’s what you should do — at least, until you get rid of them. If you move to a different room, bed bugs will seek you out, making the problem worse. Treating 100 bugs in one room is easier than treating 20 in several rooms.
3. Do What You Can
Squishing individual bugs may not seem effective, but it does reduce their population. You can also vacuum them up or pick them with up with tape. With the former method, remember to seal your vacuum bags right afterward.
Another thing you can do is install a mattress encasement. These covers protect all the sides of a mattress, and they come with a zipper that doesn’t open easily.
4. Use Heat
If the infestation has gone on unnoticed for too long, you’ll need to turn to drastic measures. This includes various extermination methods, but your best bet would be heat treatment.
See, all bed bugs die at temperatures above 120 Fahrenheit. You can capitalize on that by treating your infested furniture in a thermal chamber. Companies like 5 Star Environments LLC sell these portable systems at reasonable prices.
5. Communicate
When it comes to what to do about bed bugs, try to be as open as possible. Nobody likes admitting to a bed bug problem, but your neighbors will appreciate a warning.
Why is this necessary? Simple: Bed bugs are very adept at moving between dwellings. Putting down barrier chemicals can put a stop to that, but only if it’s done on time.
More on What to Do If You Have Bed Bugs
Once you know what to do if you have bed bugs, there’s nothing to worry about. To that end, here’s one final tip for you: Try not to spread them around. When you’re leaving the house, don’t bring more than one bag with you.
While you’re searching for bed bugs, you may come across other pests as well. Again, there’s no need to panic! Instead, take a look at these that may help you out.