Treatment For Bed Bugs Six Tips

by Mags Sno

If you are experiencing bed bug problems, here are some simple and practical tips on treatment for bed bugs.

Bed bugs are usually rusty red in color and are about 1/5th of an inch in size, about the same dimension as a lady bug. They are quite happy living and breeding in any folds and creases in mattresses and linen, but will also inhabit any cracks or holes in the walls and floors of a room.

They can travel a fair distance, especially in search of food - around 100 ft, so don't be surprised to find them in some very obscure places such as clocks, light switches, smoke alarms etc.

The first indication that you have a bed bug infestation, maybe the presence of red, itchy, swollen patches on your body due to bed bug bites.

These bed bug bites can be painful and if they become infected, may require medical attention. In some instances, people can have a severe reaction to these bites.

There are many different treatments for bed bugs, but which ever you choose, it is vital to act quickly before the infestation gets out of control. So, what do you do?

The first thing you must do is establish that bed bugs are the problem. You can do this easily by checking your sheets for blood spots and dead bugs which have been squashed in the night.

Carefully check in the folds and along seams of your mattress and also the box spring for signs of live bugs and dark fecal marks and eggs.

Check areas away from the bed, too, i.e., any holes or cracks in walls and floors. If bed bugs are present, again you will most likely find fecal marks at the entrance. A large infestation will give off a characteristic sweet pungent smell.

The most common treatment for bed bugs are insecticides. These can be very dangerous, especially to children, pets and people who do not know how to apply them properly and safely.

Before any sort of treatment for bed bugs is applied - chemical or otherwise, the room and its contents must be systematically and thoroughly cleaned.

Six Helpful Tips

1. Place all bed linen and soft furnishings in sealed plastic bags. It is important that this is done in the room where the infestation is, to prevent other rooms becoming infected. Where possible, launder these items at a high temperature.

2. Any items which cannot be put in the washing machine should, if possible, be placed in a tumble dryer on a high setting for 10 minutes.

Items such as shoes, etc., which will not withstand this, can be put out in the sun in their sealed plastic bags. Any bed bugs will be killed by the heat.

In cold winter weather, the same treatment can be used as bed bugs cannot survive in extreme cold, either.

3. Clear the room of clutter - place newspapers, magazines and so on, in sealed plastic bags and dispose of them. Systematically go round the room checking clocks, radios, electrical sockets, smoke alarms and pictures for bed bugs.

4. Scrape out any cracks or holes in the floor or walls and once treated, ensure that these are filled in.

5. Use the vacuum cleaner to clean all surfaces floors, curtains, furniture and the mattress and box spring of the bed. tThe vacuum cleaner is an excellent tool for this, as it will not only lift away the bed bugs, but also any larvae and eggs as well. Ensure that the bag from inside the vacuum cleaner is sealed in a bag and disposed of immediately.

6. Once the whole room has been cleaned, a thorough chemical treatment can be carried out. Either use an insecticide or one of the many non toxic sprays which are available. Whichever you choose to use, be sure that the manufacturer's instructions are followed, exactly.

If the infestation you have is large or you are just uncomfortable about using chemicals, yourself, the best course of action would be to call in one of the many professional companies.

There are many treatments for bed bugs. If you are loosing sleep at night because you are being bitten and have bugs crawling over you go to Treatment For Bed Bugs.Com for tips, advise and treatment suggestions as well as preventative measures.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com.