Finding bed bugs in your home can be alarming, but there’s no need to panic and let them crash your party! While these pests are notoriously resilient, there are effective ways to prevent and eliminate them. Our team at Waynes’ Service Professionals has put together this comprehensive guide to help you identify, manage, and eradicate bed bugs from your living space.
Identifying Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small and can easily go unnoticed if you’re not vigilant. Adult bed bugs are typically brown and about the size of an apple seed, ranging from 1/4 to 3/16 of an inch. Newly hatched bed bugs are even tinier, as small as a pinhead and nearly translucent. After feeding on blood, bed bugs swell and take on a reddish-brown color.
Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs leave behind several telltale signs that can alert you to their presence:
- Itchy bites on your skin in clusters or rows
- Tiny bloodstains on your sheets
- Dark, rust-colored fecal spots on mattresses or bedding
- A musty odor emitted from the bug’s scent glands
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Thorough Home Cleaning
Though bed bugs are often associated with beds, they can infest any part of your home. Comprehensive cleaning is essential to address an infestation effectively.
- Wash all linens: Clean your bedding, curtains, and clothes in hot water and dry them on the highest setting.
- Vacuum thoroughly: Cover all areas of your home, paying close attention to nooks and crannies. Empty the vacuum bag or canister immediately into an outdoor trash bin to prevent re-infestation.
Mattress Treatment:
Since bed bugs commonly reside in mattresses, meticulous cleaning is crucial if you choose to salvage it. One bed bug can lay up to 250 eggs within a couple of months, so diligent cleaning is key.
- Scrub the mattress: Clean the entire mattress, including the top, bottom, sides, seams, and the box spring. Disassemble the bed frame to access all crevices.
- Vacuum extensively: Vacuum every part of the mattress from top to bottom and side to side.
- Steam cleaning: For extra assurance, steam clean the mattress and box spring, then allow them to dry completely.
- Encase the mattress: Use specially designed bed bug-proof covers for your mattress and box spring. Keep them sealed for up to a year, as bed bugs can survive for long periods without feeding.
Professional Help
Don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance if bed bugs persist despite your efforts. Managing an infestation can be overwhelming and requires a systematic approach.
Waynes Service Professionals specialize in eradicating bed bugs. Whether your infestation is minor or severe, our experts are equipped to handle it. Contact us here or give us a call at 866.WAYNES1 to reclaim your home from bed bugs!
