How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

If you’re like many homeowners, then you likely fear experiencing a bed bug infestation. Although these bugs are small, generally no larger than an apple seed, they can cause big problems, including painful, itchy bites and the need to leave your home until the infestation is over.

Because dealing with bed bugs can be so frustrating, it’s a good idea to learn more about these pests, including how you can expel them from your home. Learn about the warning signs of a bed bug infestation and discover how to get rid of bed bugs with the help of a pest control professional.

How to Tell if You Have Bed Bugs

Before learning about how to get rid of bed bugs, it’s a good idea to take a look at a few of the signs that these pests have made their way into your home.

One of the best ways to identify a bed bug infestation by checking your body for bug bites. If you wake up with bites that were not present before you went to sleep, then it’s likely bed bugs have found their way into your home.

After noticing these aggravating bites, there are a few other things you can check to determine if you have bed bugs.

First, examine your sheets. When bed bugs bite, they will draw blood, which will stain your mattress. You should also look for rust-colored spots, which may indicate bed bug fecal matter. Second, check areas where bed bugs hide, such as at the edge of your carpet, in your closet or near electrical outlets for egg shells, skin leavings or fecal spots. Finally, a strong, musty odor can also indicate a bed bug infestation.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

If you’re sure that there are bed bugs in your home, it’s crucial to act quickly and decisively. The longer these bugs are allowed to remain in your home, the worse the infestation will be.

The first thing that you need to do to remove the bed bugs from your home is to clean every item in your home that can attract bed bugs, including your bedding, curtains, clothes and linens. Items that can’t be washed with hot water should be placed in the dryer and run on the high setting for half an hour.

To remove bed bugs from your mattress, you first need to scrub your mattress seams with a brush, which will sweep clear both the bugs and their eggs. After you’re finished brushing, vacuum your bed and then cover your mattress and box spring with a case that can be zippered closed. Lastly, you need to repair places where bed bugs hide such as behind wallpaper and in cracks in plaster.

Professional Help with Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are extremely resilient insects, and even if you respond the right way, you may fail to remove these pests from your home. If you want to make sure you’re getting rid of the bed bugs in your home, you should schedule service from the team at Gilstrap Exterminating.

Our pest control professionals know the right way to get rid of bed bugs, and can help you remove these aggravating pests from your home.