Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Bed Bugs Extermination

Bed bugs infestations are a disgusting and embarrassing reality for increasing numbers of people. How do you get rid of bed bugs? If you have been a victim of bed bug bites, you know that it is not an easy task. Bed bugs can hide in the tiniest of nooks and crannies, lodging themselves and their eggs in the most out of way places. They can next in the bed frame, in clutter under the bed, in the mattress itself, in dresser drawers, or even behind picture frames. Bed bugs extermination can be costly and require multiple visits. So before you go the professional bed bugs extermination route, consider a few radical steps for bed bugs extermination on your own.

Deal with the Furniture

The most common place for bed bugs to reside is in a mattress. As a result, used mattresses are more than suspect. If you want to get rid of bed bugs you will have to start there. Get a high quality, heavy duty, plastic cover that seals at the zipper. You may even want to tape over the zipper just to be sure. Otherwise, carry the mattress out to the trash and say goodbye.

Next scour the furniture in the rooms where you suspect the bed bugs to live. Look for the signs of bed bugs (dark brown fecal spots from fecal matter, tiny brown husks from their exoskeleton shells, or the little buggers themselves. Alcohol or sodium lauryl sulfate are both supposed to kill the bugs on contact. Another method is to get a steamer at a very high temperature and steam all of the nooks, crevices and crannies of every piece of furniture. High temperatures are very effective at bed bugs extermination. Since bed bugs are mobile, you will need to do a very thorough job throughout your home.

Consider using a barrier of food grade diatomaceous earth around the bed and in other miscellaneous places where they may travel. Safe for pets and children this substance is an abrasive that cuts the exoskeletons of the bed bugs causing them to eventually die of dehydration. If there are bed bugs left this serves as a catch all.

Next wash all of your clothing at the hottest temperature possible. Since bed bugs can cling to clothing or lay their eggs there a hot temperature is needed to get rid of bed bugs and ensure a thorough extermination.

To be sure you are not leaving any out place a few sticky traps for insects around your bed. These won't trap all of the bed bugs, but the appearance of one will let you know you still have bed bugs extermination work to do.

If you are considering professional bed bugs extermination, think through the following things. What is their average final cost for bed bugs extermination? They should be able to give you a one time treatment cost and a rough estimate on how many times they have to return. If it is too cheap, and sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Bed bugs extermination takes several treatments usually. Comparing quotes can help you find something more reasonable though. Can they give you references of satisfied customers? If not, steer clear. Bed bugs extermination should be thorough, and eventually provide complete satisfaction.