How do you get rid of bedbugs?

Bed bugs can be VERY hard to get rid of...so I heartily recommend professional cleaners/ use of industrial insectides/ fumigation.

Our building was infested, and our condo became infested, and they have been a nightmare for me. And I am fastidious. They can infect ANY home...even those of clean freaks, of which I called myself before this happened. Now I'm outright paranoid, sleep deprived...etc. (So get a professional on the problem as soon as possible...the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get rid of these things for good!)

FOR THE RECORD: bed bugs infest VERY clean homes as well as those that are dirty. However, because there is a stigma of dirtiness associated with all bug infestations, a lot of people don't want to come forward...get help, or tell neighbours, which makes risk of transmission that much worse.

Also NOT EVERYONE will develop welts/ reactions to their bites. I am very sensitive, and have a ton of allergies, and the only sign of it for me was ANEMIA. My mum (I'm a university student, and live at home) got a very bad reaction - two people, same home, very different responses.

I've been getting so discouraged trying to erradicate these things without success (the fumigators come tomorrow).

We have had to get rid of a LOT of things. More for my peace of mind, since I do not want to move and infect my new home when I move out for good. (My mum is not as paranoid, but I've read up on these things...they are so hard to fully get away from!)

Anyway...

Some things to help reduce numbers:

-get good vacuum bags and vacuum DAILY...very, very well.

-caulk cracks/ areas that are loose/ open to infestation.

-remove loose wood tiles in the floor, and use an insectide on those areas before relaying. If you can locate a nest, you'll cut down on your chances of getting bitten.

-put vaseline around the end of the bed to trap them. DO NOT LET YOUR FLOORS or sheets touch the floor.

-CHUCK. YOUR MATTRESS. The largest number of them will burrow into the bed mattress. If you cannot afford to get an air mattress as a temporary measure, then coat your mattress in plastic. I would coat it in several sheets, taking great pains to seal off EVERY crevice with moving tape.

-Also, consider chucking luggage. Backpacks etc. should also be carefully examined.

-we have a steam cleaner. It is in use daily. I must clean three plus hours a day now. I am not getting bitten AS MUCH, but I still am very anemic, and my mum is still getting hives/ welts - which shows that a "cheap" do-it-yourself method isn't likely to work...

-consider duct taping vents/ common air vents and turning off ac if you live in an apartment. Also in most countries - if you live in an apartment, it is the boards' responsibility to pay for fumigation etc. However, if you need to chuck your things...you'll be out of pocket for those items.

Bed bug removal can be very costly. We've spent hundreds on bags, cleaners, steam cleaning machines, laundry/ dry cleaning alone - and probably several thousands for the fumigators, because we live in a condo. We store clothes in the freezer - so that we leave the house knowing we aren't taking them with us. I, for one, am paranoid about having anyone over, lest they contract them.

They are becoming epidemic, but like I said...they infect ANY home, not just messy/ dirty ones. However, adopting a "cleanliness is next to godliness" mindset WILL cut down on their numbers.

Also, ONLY the adults, at full maturity, can lay eggs. If you can kill and remove them before the next generation reaches maturity, and if you can continue obsessively cleaning until they are gone...you may just be able to rid yourself of them.

But overlook NOTHING. They can hide everywhere. They prefer dark areas that are soft, or wooden, and close to their victims, but they have been found in TELEVISION sets, in books, in photo frames, in computer bases, in vents...everywhere. This is why fumigation is so necessary, even though costly. But, unless you are a home owner, fumigation should be covered by your board.

EXTREME heat kills them, extreme coldness kills them - but not the eggs, which need to be removed, and covered in insectide. They also can go a year and a half between feedings, which makes them even more nightmareish.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this too. Best of luck with the exterminations!

yucky.

Controlling a bedbug infestation

High standards of hygiene and housekeeping alone are unlikely to control an infestation. However, keeping a house clean will reveal the presence of bedbugs at an early stage, making control easier and reducing the chance of widespread infestation.

Some general suggestions to eliminate bedbugs include:

Thoroughly wash, vacuum or clean all surfaces and bedding.

Wash bedding and affected clothing where possible, using hot water. Dry in a clothes drier on a hot setting.

Vacuum mattresses, seal in dark plastic and leave outside in the hot sun for as long as possible.

Steam clean carpets.

Spray common hiding spots with a surface insecticide registered to control bedbugs. Follow the label directions carefully. Do not treat bedding with insecticide.

Your local council can offer information and advice on dealing with a bedbug infestation.

Hiring a professional pest control operator

A qualified pest control operator can determine the extent of the infestation, then use registered insecticides to kill the bedbugs. Repeat visits may be necessary to ensure all bedbugs at various stages of the lifecycle have been eradicated. Good hygiene practices, such as frequent house cleaning, should help to prevent any further infestations. However, vacuuming immediately after treatment should be avoided to ensure that the residual insecticide is not removed. For further information, consult your pest control operator.

Where to get help

Your doctor

Licensed pest control operators

Your local council

Things to remember

Bedbugs are commonly found on beds or mattresses, and feed on human blood.

Their bite typically causes a large, reddened and itchy wheal that fades to a red spot.

Bedbugs are not believed to transmit diseases to humans.

No way on gods earth are you NOT considering throwing everything away! How could you sleep in that room with them? Or is it not YOUR room eh?

Did you never clean the room for them to end up in photo frames...? Sounds like the state it's in that they have been there for years no way to they produce like that over a short period of time.

You need to get rid of your mattress and wash every thing down with Dettol , give a Pro a call , perhaps they have some strong chemical to take care of the problem.

You cannot have a few wondering about the room because they multiply .

Clean your bed linens daily until you get it under control, vacuum the mattress every day, bed bugs eat dead skin that falls off while you sleep. So, get rid of food source and they'll go away, eventually. Once under control, change the linens every week and vacuum the mattress every week as well to prevent an outbreak again. (DDT works but it's against the law.)

The cheap way:

1 gallon of gas and a match. Burn the place to the ground.

But seriously, you need to throw everything away, strip naked and then move.

strip your bedding and wash lt and take your vacuum and vacuum your mattress also hand wipe down the frames of your bed as well

spray ur bed with a lots of mosquito spray..it shud kill them all off... :) the bedbugs are in the matress btw!! not the sheets.. so spray tht..

vacuum both sides very well then spray with lysol spray

You need to think of your safety too. Here are websites to walk you through.

www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs

www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1022.html

Best of luck!