After a long day’s worth of work, there’s probably nothing else we would like to do than lie in bed and rest. But is that possible if there are irritating bed bugs that interrupt our sweet slumber? Bed bugs are pesky insects that live off of our blood and thrive in our skin’s warmth and they inhabit areas where humans frequent, such as our beds. Here are some tips and tricks that you can do to fight bed bugs and sleep well.
Clean up Clutter
Sleeping is much more peaceful when the surroundings are neat and tidy. Decluttered places also provide less space for bed bugs to hide, and of course, fewer bed bugs is better. Moreover, if you keep your things arranged orderly, there would be fewer items included if ever the worst occurs and you’d have to call in professional help to eradicate the infestation. So in the instance that bed bugs are present in your mattress, encasements or special bed bug covers will act as a sort of barrier between you and the bed bugs. Such tightly woven zipped covers will help to keep bed bugs from entering or exiting. Just make sure that the product you will use has been tried and tested against bed bugs and has enough strength not to tear after a year because this is also the average lifespan of a bed bug. Worst case scenario is your mattress gets infested , so don’t have second thoughts about replacing it with a new one. Can you really sleep knowing you have unwelcomed bedmates?
Choose Colors
Little is it known that bed bugs are actually attracted to some colors. They prefer dark red and black, but steer clear of white, green, and yellow. Scientists hypothesize that bed bugs feel that dark colors protect them from predators like ants and spiders. So one way to keep bed bugs away is to not choose dark red and black for your beddings and opt for much lighter hues.
Get Rid of Bed Bugs Immediately
This is what the director of the Bed Bug and Urban Pest Information Center at Virginia Tech, Molly Wilson, suggests. At any point that you find a bed bug, kill them because “every bug that you find and remove is reducing the population,” she added. Tape, sticky lint rollers, and vacuums are effective tools in removing bed bugs. Once you capture them, seal them in a vacuum bag, dispose and make sure no bed bug escapes.
Heat Treatment
As mentioned earlier, bed bugs are attracted to warmth so you can lure them by heating things up until the bed bugs can no longer tolerate the very high temperatures. Beddings, linens, curtains, and clothing should be washed in hot water and dried with the highest drying settings. Stuffed toys, shoes, and other items that can’t be washed should be placed in the dryer and left to run on high for at least 30 minutes. Frequently vacuum your bed and surrounding area, and don’t forget to seal the vacuum cleaner bag and place it in a trash bin outdoors.
Ask Professional Help
If and when you prove that there is, indeed, a bed bug infestation going on in your bedroom, or at home as a whole, avoid do-it-yourself treatments no matter how tempting they may seem. At first glance, these DIY bed bug kill kits might be cheap, but in the long run, they aren’t cost-effective as they may require you to repeat treatments and there is no assurance that all bed bugs, in all crevices and cracks, will be eliminated. Moreso, many bed bugs have developed an immunity to insecticides, rendering them useless against these pesky creatures. It would be best to call the pest control experts because they are the ones trained and experienced in implementing effective methods of killing bed bugs, which include but are not limited to, steam treatments with temperatures rising as much as 113 degrees Fahrenheit, growth-inhibiting chemical sprays, and dusting powders that harm bugs physically. In the recent past, a new promising insecticide that infects bed bugs with a lethal fungus has shown up. Whichever method you prefer, all these require professional equipment and skill. Research on pest control experts you can trust and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
In conclusion, those are some steps you can take to ensure that truly you will sleep tight and not get bed bug bites.
