Bed Bug Extermination: DIY Step-By-Step Guide

Bed bug extermination: a DIY step-by-step guide. A bed bug infestation is a serious problem for homeowners. Unfortunately, in most cases, humans transfer bed bugs from hotel rooms, planes, public transport, and other activities. Getting bed bug bites can cause mild to severe itchiness and skin rashes.

In Singapore, there are two commonly found bed bugs: Tropical and Common bed bugs. Both species have oval-shaped bodies and brown color, and they feed on human blood. Once they have found their way into your house, it may be hard to get rid of them.

DIY step-by-step guide for bed bug extermination at home

Step 1: Prepare the house for bed bug extermination.

Once you realize that bed bugs have appeared in your house, acting as quickly as possible is essential. The first step is to identify all potentially infested areas. The most common areas where bed bugs live and reproduce are the seams of the mattress and joints of the furniture. Other common areas are cracks between the headboard and bed frame.

Check the nightstand and closet. Bed bugs have small narrow bodies which allow them to hide in tiny spots, like the folds of curtains. Thus, it may be required to use a flashlight and magnifying glass to spot them more easily. It is also essential to check for pale yellow eggs or eggshells.

Step 2: Contain the bugs in the room

A typical problem homeowners encounter when dealing with a bed bug infestation is the quick spreading of it in other rooms. To avoid such things, it is essential to start vacuuming the infested areas. The mattress, the seams, and joints, as well as the carpets, are the first to clean. Thorough vacuuming can effectively remove both adult bugs and their eggs.

Once you finish cleaning, it is necessary to seal the contents of your vacuum canister in an airtight plastic bag and throw them away. You should also be able to fill the linens or affected clothes in a similar plastic bag until you can wash them. Anything you cannot wash or dry should also be placed in a plastic bag. Leave it there for a few months to ensure all the bed bugs have died.

Step 3: Wash in high temperatures.

Most people are aware of the fact that high temperatures can kills insects, including bed bugs. In case of a bed bug infestation, carefully wash and dry affected linens and clothes. You can soak them in boiling water or set the washing machine at 60C. The use of steam is another effective way of exterminating bed bugs. In each case, the washing and drying processes should last at least 30 minutes.

Step 4: Kill bed bugs with an insecticide or desiccant

The steps mentioned above will only manage to remove adult bed bugs from the infested room. However, if there are eggs left behind, a second infestation may occur after a while. Thus, it is essential to invest in an effective insecticide or desiccant. The two major types of insecticides are pyrethrins and pyrethroids.

They are fast-acting and exhibit no toxicity to humans or pets. However, if bed bugs are resistant to these chemicals, alternative solutions should be considered, like pyrroles.

Another popular category of bed bug exterminators is desiccants. Those chemical compounds destroy the insect’s protective coating. Silica aerogel is the most common type of desiccant and is safe for humans and animals. However, in most cases, those chemicals must be reapplied regularly for maximum effects.

Step 5: Prevent future infestations

Once the bed bugs are gone, you must also prevent future infestations. To accomplish that, regularly clear up any clutter, seal cracks around baseboards, and vacuum your furniture often.

It would be best if you also were careful when traveling to avoid bringing new bed bugs home through your luggage. Exterminating bed bugs on your own is not impossible, but it needs proper handling and patience. If your efforts fail and the infestation keeps increasing, it may be best to contact a professional pest control company.

Bed Bug Extermination: DIY Step-By-Step Guide – Conclusion

Overall, you can get rid of bed bugs at home. All there is to do is strictly follow the steps mentioned above. You may have to try different chemical approaches. However, the basic steps remain the same. Being patient and consistent is the only way to exterminate these unpleasant residents once and for all.