Bed bugs have recently risen as a major concern in developed countries around the world. Due to the migration of people across borders and to new countries, bed bugs have spread at an alarming rate.
Bed bugs are small brownish insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They usually hide during the day and come out to feed at night.
How to get rid of bed bugs is a question many people are asking, but the answer is not easy. It can take several treatments to fully eradicate them, and it is an expensive process.
Fortunately, there are some ways to get rid of them quickly before you invest in any treatments. These include getting rid of clutter in your home, using natural remedies, and using protective covers for your bed.
This article will go into detail about additional ways to get rid of bed bugs instantly.
Dry ice
A very cool trick to kill bed bugs instantly is by using dry ice. Dry ice is the gas form of carbon dioxide. It is produced in industrial facilities when water is cooled to its freezing point.
It is commonly seen in convenience stores where they use it to keep food cold. You have probably even seen someone working with it in the store!
The great thing about dry ice is that it reacts with nothing. This makes it an excellent tool to use to get rid of bed bugs. You can pick up a bag of dry ice at most convenience stores for a reasonable price.
How to Use It To Kill Bed Bugs: First, you must find all the hiding places for the bed bugs. This may take some time, but it is worth it to get rid of them! Then, once you have found all of the spots, spread out some plastic on your floor and place some plastic bags on top of that.
Then, carefully place some dry ice on top of that and leave it for about an hour until everything is dead.
Bed bug sprays
A less popular method of bed bug elimination is through the use of bed bug sprays. Sprays are usually composed of oils that the bugs dislike, such as cinnamon or rosemary, and a liquid that helps the spray spread across surfaces.
Since you will be spraying this around your room, on your belongings, and eventually on the bugs, it must be very dry so that it does not leave a residue. This makes it harder to get complete coverage, which in turn makes it less effective.
Furthermore, sprays do not always work due to how thin they are when applied. Since they do not have a thick consistency like powder does, they may just run off of the bug or surface without really affecting them.
As with any product, there are high quality and low quality versions.
Bed bug powder
A quick way to kill bed bugs is by using bed bug powder. This can be either a physical powder or a chemical powder. Physical powders are made of tiny particles that stick onto the bug’s body, making it impossible for it to move.
Bed bug powder is a mixture of different minerals that can be rubbed onto the mattress or inside of the crevices of the bed frame and headboard where bugs hide. These minerals cut off their ability to breathe, so they die.
The problem with this method is that it takes a very long time to see results. You have to check your spots daily and see if there are any new signs of bed bugs. It could take a week or more to fully rid your space of them!
This method is not effective in getting rid of an infestation overnight, but it will reduce the number of bed bugs over time.
Toxic chemicals
While these may work in the short term, they are a bad option in the long run. The problem with toxic chemicals is that they are indiscriminate.
They will kill anything they come into contact with, and while they will kill bed bugs, they can also damage your belongings and even harm you and your loved ones.
Not only that, but it can take several treatments to completely eradicate bed bugs due to their resistance to certain chemicals. This means more money out of your pocket for treatments!
Because bed bugs can be found in almost every area of the home, treating just the area of residence is not enough. You would have to treat all areas that anyone in the home visits which increases the cost and difficulty.
The best way to prevent having to spend money on chemical treatments is to call an exterminator early on so that there is no need for repeated visits.
Heat treatment
A heat treatment is one of the quickest and most effective ways to get rid of bed bugs. This is usually performed by professionals, but there are devices you can purchase to do it yourself at home.
Heaters and heat tapes can reach temperatures high enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs. You would need to carefully monitor the temperature of the mattress with these devices, however.
Heat treatments can be very effective, but they can also be very expensive depending on who performs them and how many times you need to undergo them. It is best to discuss this with a professional as they can help you budget for the treatment.
One problem with heat treatments is that not all items can be treated in the same way. For example, an inflatable mattress would not hold up well to a heat treatment! Other items such as furniture may also be a issue.
Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is a very effective way to kill bed bugs. Many professional companies offer steam cleaning services, and it is relatively inexpensive.
You can also do it yourself at home with the right equipment. The first thing you need is a good quality steamer. A handheld one will not produce enough steam pressure to effectively sanitize your belongings.
Then, you need to put all your belongings in plastic bags so the water does not damage anything. After that, you just have to put all the bags in the machine and let it do its work!
Many people wonder if drying clothes in a dryer kills bed bugs. The answer is no! In fact, dryers may actually help preserve bed bugs so that they can survive longer and spread. Drying things at a high temperature may also not kill them.
Non-toxic natural remedies
A number of natural remedies have shown some effectiveness in killing bed bugs. These include tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and coconut oil. You can either mix these into a spray or simply place a few drops or a thin layer on the affected area.
However, it is important to note that none of these products have been proven to be 100% effective against bed bugs. In other words, you may see some improvement but not total elimination.
Tea tree oil takes a while to work but has been shown to be effective when used in combination with other products. As such, it may be useful to use it as a supplement to a spray remedy.
All three of these oils are fairly inexpensive and easily acquired via the internet or local markets.
Wash all your clothes in very hot water
This is a very basic tip, but it’s important to remind people of it. All your clothes should be washed in hot water, and the laundry process should be repeated if necessary.
Washing your clothes in hot water will kill any bed bugs that may be on them. Once dried, they will not be able to survive unless there is an ample supply of moisture.
It is also important to remember to wash clothing items that may not be washable due to material. For example, blankets and towels need to be thrown out if they are not washable.
Again, the goal is to get rid of any hidden bed bugs and prevent them from spreading, so throwing out non-washable items is a good way to do that.
