Infestations of bed bugs increase in warmer weather, with the pests loving upholstered surfaces such as comfy mattresses.
Sleeping in an infested bed just once can leave you covered in raw, itchy bites. There are plenty of repellents on the market that claim to banish bed bugs, but many include chemicals.
However, there are natural ways to get rid of bed bugs in a few easy steps, the Express reports. Jordan Foster of Fantastic Pest Control has shared that the best way to get rid of bed bugs is “cleaning the places where they reside”.
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Before starting, it's necessary to make sure you are dealing with bed bugs rather than other biting insects such as mosquitos or fleas. Bed bugs are nocturnal and only come out at night to feed, which makes them difficult to spot as they hide during the day in crevices of their preferred food sources - mainly beds.
When sure you're dealing with bed bugs, Jordan recommends washing whatever items can be infested. He said: "Wash bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water, and dry them on the highest setting.
"The items that cannot be washed, such as stuffed animals and shoes, should go in the dryer on high for 30 minutes."
Bed bugs can be killed at all life stages through dry cleaning, which Jordan claimed is the "best treatment" to get rid of them. He added: "Bed bugs are most effectively eliminated with heat treatment.
"Heat (above 56C) destroys bed bugs at all stages of life, even their eggs. Moreover, it is more time-efficient than chemical treatments."
To get rid of bed bugs and their eggs, a stiff brush should be used to scrub the mattress seams, a common area for the pests to hide in. Those who fear they have the critters should also vacuum the bed and surrounding area regularly.
Once finished cleaning, place the vacuum cleaner bag into a plastic bag and put it in the outdoor rubbish bin. Households can also use a tightly woven, zippered cover for mattresses and box springs to prevent bugs from entering or escaping.
Bed bugs can live for up to a year without feeding, so "prevent them from returning by keeping them covered for at least one year”.
They can also hide in cracks or under peeling wallpaper, so be sure to repair walls. Lastly, clear any clutter around the bed to give the bugs fewer spots to hide under.
Those who get rid of an infested mattress and replace it with a new one should make sure to get rid of bed bugs everywhere in their home so the new bed does not also become infested. If all of the necessary bed bug prevention steps and DIY treatments have not been successful, they should seek help.
The chances of an infestation can be reduced if households regularly vacuum their house and wash bedding regularly.
