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Bed bugs are one of the toughest infestations to get rid of on your own. These little bloodsuckers are incredibly hardy, survive both hot and cold temperatures, and can go without feeding for at least a year and still come back to infest your home. Plus, they’re small and brown and can be difficult to spot. They live virtually anywhere, not just in clothes, beds, and linens. If you’re suffering from a bed bug infestation, there are plenty of steps you can take to eradicate them from your home.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

A close up of a Common Bed Bug found in Connecticut United States.

1) Identify the Bugs and Take Action

Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped, and brown. The tiniest babies may be opaque in color. If you squish or kill them, there may be blood. Bedbugs were once almost eradicated in the U.S., but came back with a vengeance nearly a decade ago and affect a great number of people. Bedbugs do not discriminate and can end up anywhere, even in the most upscale, clean, homes, and businesses. You must take action right away, as their colonies can grow enormous and affect other people and businesses.

2) Find Their Hiding Area

This can be tricky without the help of an expert. By their name, you’d think they’d be limited to beds and couches, but these nasty buggers can live anywhere! Check your closets, wall moldings, spaces between floorboards, behind paintings and wall decor, bookshelves, etc. They like dark, cool, and cramped areas. Check all around the site where you initially spotted the first bedbug. Their nests are often covered in bug droppings, shed skins, and eggs, so they will be noticeable.

3) Begin Eradication

Once you’ve discovered their hiding spot, they may be tempted to move. There are a few at-home remedies you can undertake, although they work best along with professional extermination services.

There are spray poisons you can buy to immediately kill off any live bed bugs in the nest. Their eggs are tiny and well hidden, so you may have to continue to spray poison periodically. If you have pets or children, this may not be a realistic option.

Wash any linens and clothes you suspect may have bedbugs or eggs in water that is above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. They must be washed at this temperature for at least 20 minutes, otherwise, there may still be survivors.
You may also try pouring boiling water (over 118 degrees Fahrenheit) over their nesting area. This must also be done weekly to ensure that the entire colony dies off.

4) Use a Special Mattress Case

If there are bedbugs where you sleep, after eradicating and cleaning, you can use a special plastic mattress cover that is meant to keep your mattress safe from being re-infested.

5) Caulk and Seal

If you found bed bug bests in walls, floors, or other cracks, you will likely have to seal those spots off. After you’ve cleaned any obvious signs of infestation, you may use caulk to close off any affected areas from further infestation.

Professional Help for Bedbugs

Bed bugs are incredibly resilient, and it takes the right approach to get rid of them completely. Unfortunately, at-home methods may make a dent in their population, but will not eradicate the problem entirely. You will have to call in professional help. At Spence’s Pest Control, we have a tried-and-true method for dealing with bedbugs. From using the right kinds of treatments that are pet and child-safe, to making sure that your mattress has the properly sealed case, you can count on us to help you sleep at night - with no bedbug bites. Call us at 804-276-7738 to schedule a consultation and inspection today.

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