How to Get Rid Of Bed Bugs – First Steps

If you ever find yourself dealing with a bed bug infestation, you might think your only option is to call in an exterminator who knows how to kill bed bugs.  This may not be the best option for everyone, though, either for privacy concerns or due to cost factors.  A professional may charge thousands of dollars for a complete treatment.  Deciding how to get rid of bed bugs is something that can be considered while you perform the essential first steps for either case; cleaning out the bed bugs to get the house prepped for treatment.

Clean the area

Clean the area of the bedbug infestation thoroughly and completely.  Cleaning is the critical first step to get rid of bed bugs. All surfaces need to be cleaned with a rag or cloth containing a disinfectant. Any clothing and bedding that can be laundered should be washed on hot and dried to kill any bed bugs that may be hiding in them.

Clothing that can’t be washed, like shoes, should be well heated in a dryer or a specialized heater made specifically for heating up items.  All these items should then be sealed into plastic bags and removed from the infested areas.  Clear bags are a better choice than dark trash or leaf bags so it may be possible to see any beg bugs movement within them.  Items that can’t be washed or dried immediately should be sealed into separate bags from the items that have been washed.  If they are bagged again after laundering be sure to reseal them into new bags free of bed bugs.

Vacuum

Use a vacuum to get rid of bed bugs from an infested space.  Using a crevice tool is how to get rid of bed bugs from cracks and baseboards.  Be sure to use the vacuum to get rid of bed bugs from the edges of window frames, walls, and carpets.  Just as before, surfaces should be cleaned with a rag or cloth containing a disinfectant.

Take the bag out of the vacuum cleaner, seal it in a plastic bag and put the bag outside of the house before you remove the vacuum from the infested area.  Don’t leave it where pets, birds, or pests can get into it.  Several days of hot sun or winter cold is how to get rid of bed bugs in the vacuum bag.

Clutter

Getting rid of clutter from all areas of the home is how to get rid of bed bugs that might be on the move.  The clutter would include newspapers, magazines, papers, socks, and anything else that could be laying around for the bugs to hide in or under.  Any clutter can hinder your efforts at bed bug control and eradication.  Make sure you seal anything you are throwing out into a plastic bag first.

Keep Them Out

Properly seal the entry points to your home.  Repair any broken windows.  Caulk any cracks, crevices, or holes to the outside.  Don’t bring in any furniture or clothing that is second hand.  Some of these items may have been discarded because someone didn’t know how to get rid of bed bugs.  If you must bring them into your home, wash and inspect them carefully and completely.