As far back as ancient Greece, as well as in the early medieval period in Europe, getting rid of bed bugs has been a problem for humans. During the 1940s and 1950s the war against these insects was almost successfully won in the United States with the frequent use of DDT pesticides, virtually annihilating the tiny blood-sucking insect. However, this pesticide was banned decades later, as it was found to have harmful effects on the ecosystem and endangered the survival of various animal species.

The DDT ban changed the way we handle the little critters and in recent years has led to a resurgence in the bed bug population, as they have begun to make a comeback, invading not only our homes, but also hotels, theaters, and many others. business. This growing infestation is quickly becoming a serious problem in several urban areas, New York being a case in point as it appears to be the hardest hit city in the United States.

The perfect habitat for bed bugs are areas where the climate tends to be hot and dry. Considering that man can provide environments best suited to these creatures, such as heated buildings, this partly indicates why these creatures have been able to extend their range into the colder northern climes.

What do bed bugs eat?

Bed bugs feed on blood and feed on you or your pets when you sleep. Bedbug bites are similar to other insect bites that cause itching, swelling, and redness on the person’s skin. However, one good thing is that the little insects do not transmit harmful diseases to humans or animals; But for some people, a bed bug bite could cause severe allergy symptoms that could lead to anaphylactic shock!

How to get rid of bed bugs

Most insects are temperature sensitive and bed bugs are no different, they are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, so a safe and effective technique is to use temperature to get rid of bed bug infestations. There are pest control professionals who use steam machines to treat mattresses and furniture and cold gases in electronic equipment to kill the insects hiding inside.

So what options do you have to get rid of bed bugs?

Cut down as much clutter as you can first so you can find those blood-sucking critters with less effort. Once you’ve found them, use a vacuum to clean blankets, cloth items, stuffed toys, clothing, jackets… Wash them in hot water at about 160 degrees Fahrenheit to get rid of any bugs the vacuum didn’t catch and also to kill the eggs or hatchlings a little to see what might be on your clothes.

Next, separate the mattress and box spring, pull apart the bed frame to reveal all the crevices where bugs can hide. Thoroughly vacuum and clean these areas with a product like Eco Living Friendly or All-Stop-Contact-Killing-Spray, which are non-toxic, eco-friendly bed bug killers.

Unlike pesticides, these insect treatment products are 100% eco-friendly and safe to use around children and pets, hospitals, hotels, your workplace, and of course your home or apartment. They are specially formulated with natural ingredients and come pre-mixed so you can use them right away. Furthermore, they are also effective in treating scabies, mites, lice, fleas, and other insect problems.

Now focus on your mattress and box spring; check each item for tears or openings, as these are pathways for bed bugs to live and breed. If these creatures are found to be hiding in your mattress or box spring, what you would normally do is use a regulated pesticide to kill them; but since there are restrictions on the use of pesticides, a better alternative will be to use a mattress cover and box spring cover that will completely seal your mattress and box spring. You can also spray these things with the natural products discussed above and when dry seal each with the appropriate covering.

Now, focus on your furniture, pull out the drawers on your desk, nightstand, and dresser; Inspect furniture inside and out and clean all likely areas where bugs will likely hide again with an environmentally friendly 100% Natural Bed Bug Killer.

Since these bugs like to live in cracks and crevices, it’s a good idea to seal any holes in your home that provide access or allow bed bugs to live inside these spaces. Use caulk to seal cracks in walls, baseboards, gaps around windows, and pipes that could allow bugs into your home; Also remember to check the trim as these tight spots are perfect nesting spots for bed bugs.

In addition, you will need to seal the exterior of your home, it is also crucial that you remove any nesting birds or bats and get rid of any rodents that make use of your home, these small animals can serve as hosts for bed bugs and over time re-infest his house.

Once this is done, you will need to clean each infested area of ​​your home with a stiff bristle brush to dislodge any eggs that may be clinging to surfaces. Vacuum everything thoroughly and dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag to avoid contaminating other areas with live bed bugs.

If you clean with the green cleaners already mentioned, you may be able to skip this scrubbing step, as these non-toxic sprays will even kill bug eggs.

To conclude, implementing the specified steps and several other steps can help you get rid of begging errors and keep them away from being just a one time problem.