Bed bugs are peace-loving critters, at least for the most part. They’ll stay out of your way during the day and prefer to feast on your blood while you are asleep. But if they feel threatened, they can go on the defensive and bite you. Hence, it won’t hurt to prepare for the battle – bed bug treatment – before an infestation gets out of control.
If you’re a resident of LA, you can ring up a Bed Bug Exterminator in Los Angeles, California, to deal with the menace once and for all. Meanwhile, here’re a few things you can do to ensure the treatment is successful.
1. Change Your Clutter-Filled Ways
Bed bugs fancy clutter. It provides them with the perfect hiding spots to ambush their unsuspecting prey – you! Get rid of all the clutter in your home before the exterminator arrives. This makes it difficult for these critters to hide and allows for more targeted treatment.
For starters, find a place for all the clothing lying on the floor or stacked in corners. This includes those dirty clothes you can’t seem to find the time to wash. Take them to the laundry, put them in a hamper or bag them up and store them in the garage – just get them off the floor.
While at it, avoid relocating items you suspect may be infested to other parts of the house. This only serves to spread the problem.
And if an item of furniture is too infested, ditch it. The same goes for mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture. It might not be worth saving them. But, if you must, have a professional treat them before bringing them back into the house.
Consider tossing or giving away some things you no longer use or need, provided they’re free of bed bugs. Otherwise, you may inadvertently infect other people’s homes.
2. Wash Everything
Sort through your stuff. This may include clothing, bedding, towels, curtains, and stuffed animals. A heat treatment of 120 degrees for about 30 minutes should do the trick.
For other items like books, gadgets, and electronics, put them in plastic bags and seal them tightly. This will prevent the bed bugs from coming into contact with these items and infesting them. Remember to check your furniture and other hiding spots for these critters before putting your clean clothes and other items back.
It also won’t hurt to put on your detective’s hat and search for evidence – hatched eggs, molted skin, and live bugs. Plus, your trusty vacuum will come in handy for the cleanup exercise. Suck up the bed bugs and their eggs using a nozzle attachment to prevent them from escaping. Then, dump the contents of the vacuum into a sealed bag and dispose of it immediately.
3. Clear the Bedroom
Most likely, you will find the most bed bugs in your bedroom. After all, it’s where they mostly get their nutrition. Thus, start by decluttering your bedroom and removing anything you don’t need. This may include clothes, books, toys, gadgets, and other items that have found their way into the room. Here’re a few other things you can do:
- Ensure your bed is away from the wall (at least 2 feet) to allow easier treatment around and under it. And if you have a headboard, remove it and put it in another room for the time being.
- Remove all pictures, posters, and anything else hanging on the walls. These items may complicate the treatment process as the exterminator may have to work around them.
- Give this room a thorough cleaning before the exterminator arrives.
- Use bed-bug-proof covers for your mattress, box springs, and pillows to prevent the bugs from getting to them. The covers also make it easier to spot bed bugs lurking on or in them.
- Use interceptor cups under the legs of your bed to stop the bugs from crawling up.
4. Block Their Entry Points
Bed bugs are skilled hitchhikers. They’ll enter your home through luggage, clothing, and used furniture. As such, make it a point to seal off cracks and crevices in your walls and floors. In this regard, caulk would be your best friend. By blocking their entry points, you can keep them from paying you an unwelcome visit.
If your wallboards are damaged or worn, consider repairing or replacing them. The same applies if your floorboards are rotted or broken. These can provide easy access for bed bugs into your home. By so doing, the bed bug exterminator will have an easier time finding and eliminating them Celebrity biography
And, if you must travel, take extra care not to bring these uninvited guests into your home. When returning from a trip, inspect your luggage carefully and wash all your clothes in hot water.
By ensuring your home is ready for treatment, you can get rid of bed bugs for good. But if you’re not keen on do-it-yourself methods, consider hiring a professional exterminator. They have the know-how to successfully treat and prevent these pests from returning. Only then can you sleep soundly at night, knowing your home is free of bed bugs.
