4 Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs | News Break
Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.
And prevent their return
Maybe I was an entomologist or insect in a past life. Ants, spiders, and bees, and more, fascinate me. I release spiders to their outdoor space or leave them alone when theyre inside my house. Though I love most of them, there are a few exceptions. Im not a fan of roaches in my home. They're common in the New Mexico desert, where we used to live. I'd sweep them out to live the rest of their days in my yard instead of the kitchen.
And then there were bedbugs.
Theyve altered my relationship with insects forever. Im itching just thinking about them. For those who are allergic (Im one of them), they leave rows or clusters of itchy bites overnight.
If you suspect you have bedbugs anywhere in your home, youll have to be relentless in eliminating them.
Heres how you can (hopefully) get rid of bedbugs:
Bedbugs are round, brownish-red, and somewhat flat before they feed. Theyre about the size of a flea. Like me, you might not see them often or at all. The first one I found was as filled with my blood. It didnt even look like a bug at first. They look like the tip of a candlewick when full.
Midway through my professional treatment, I didnt expect bites after he sprayed. They bit me eleven times in one night. Seriously, these bugs are no joke. It mightve taken only one of them to dine on my forearm, neck, and thighs.
Theyre more likely if you live in a rental. Ive always rented apartments as an adult. Even with flea-carrying cats, Ive never been subject to this many bites from an insect. They got my attention.
If you live in an apartment, check with your neighbors. My next-door neighbor had more bedbugs than I do, and we share a common wall. Theyre likely hiding there, then sneak in to suck my blood in my sleep. Ive never been so motivated to rid my room of bugs.
I had bedbugs in my room for months. I noticed several tiny bites on my knee and wrist once or twice in late June. I recalled a similar pattern on my youngest daughter last year, so I had a feeling they were here. We went to visit my parents for a month, and they returned with a vengeance. I suddenly had up to a dozen bites every night.
We probably had an infestation when we lived in Oregon, but never pursued treatment because we were about to move. A variety of insects thrive in New Mexico, and we get plenty coming inside. Bedbugs take it to a new level. They can survive without a host for up to 18 months, even in a sealed trash bag.
There are several steps. First, wash and dry all clothing, pillows, and bedding on hot. Put everything else in sealed plastic bags. Include books and picture frames. Discard whatever might be a good hiding place, as finances allow.
Vacuum throughly, then empty out the canister or dispose of the bag in the outside trash bin. Continue to vacuum before, during, and after treatment.
Heres the deal with bagging your things. You have to look through every item since they dont all die in there. I suggest going outside, far from your door. Inspect for holes, rips, or tears. Flip through books and notebooks. Shake out baskets. I found a few in a wicker basket Id kept by my bed. No wonder they were after me so often. I threw it in the garbage.
Having a bedbug invasion isnt about overall cleanliness. Anyone can bring them in. But knowing youve cleared what you can of any chance meeting is the best way to keep them at bay. Contrary to what some people believe, you won't only find bedbugs in dirty dwellings. They're parasites, which means they search for humans to feed on. If you're warm-blooded, bedbugs will try to find you. But cleaning your space will help you find and eliminate them.
3.Use essential oils
I dropped and rolled all the essential oils before going to bed. I used a combo of lavender, cedarwood on my neck, wrists, and chest. I tried a homemade concoction of peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, and cedarwood to spray around the perimeter and on my sheets.
I used bug repellent with catnip, lemongrass, rosemary, and geranium oil. Badger Bug Balm works well and smells delicious. The catnip spray is called Life Stings. Theyre both organic and dont contain DEET.
I have to get honest about my use of essential oils. They do help, dont get me wrong. Theyre effective to an extent. But theyre not reliable to completely repel these bedbugs. They deter them for a time until you have to reapply. They dont like the scent, but they want you more.
Thats why oils are only a part of the picture. The most important thing to do is to call an exterminator.
Brian, my bedbug guy, as I affectionately call him, has the poison to kill bedbugs in every life stage. He sprays the carpet, mattress, and baseboards. Then he shakes dust thats similar to diatomaceous earth around the perimeter. It cuts the bedbugs, and they die from their injuries.
After the first treatment, we checked in about sightings and bites. When I reported seeing them and getting bites, he applied a second dose a week later. They remained until after we left that apartment. Bedbugs dont give up that easily.
I recommend you maintain a working relationship with your bedbug exterminator. Stay in contact with them to report your observations. We rent, so all I have to do is text or call him. Youll have to research costs, but it seems he has a flat rate, regardless of how many visits.
As a nature lover, I initially wanted to live harmoniously with bedbugs. When I realized no harmony comes from bugs biting me every night, I had to do something about it.
Since humans have interfered with the cycle of nature too many times, we need to take measures we might not have had to worry about in the past. Im sure bedbugs are on the rise due to our imbalanced ecosystem. Unfortunately, it came down to Us vs.Them. If you have bedbugs, youll need to take action right away. They want to survive, and theyll do anything they can to stay in your home.
Clear out your belongings, clean thoroughly, apply essential oils, and call a professional exterminator. Communicate with neighbors if you live in an apartment, condo, or duplex. Theyll likely need treatment, too. Dont give up until theyre gone. Keep the faith, even if it takes years. I hope my experience and newfound expertise will help someone else stay out of bedbug hell.
Read more here:
4 Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs | News Break
- Can My Co-op Charge Me to Get Rid of the Bedbugs in My Apartment? - The New York Times - June 10th, 2022
- Bed Bug Exterminator Brooklyn, NY | The Bed Bug Inspectors - October 30th, 2020
- Bed Bug Inspection Group - 10 Photos & 56 Reviews - Pest ... - August 23rd, 2020
- The Pandemic May Spare Us From Another Plague: Bedbugs - The New York Times - June 29th, 2020
- The 10 Best Bed Bug Exterminators in Brooklyn (with Free ... - June 14th, 2020
- Did This Brooklyn Artist Release Bed Bugs at the Trump Hotel? - May 26th, 2020
- Bed Bug Exterminator NYC | Bed Bug Control, Treatment in ... - April 11th, 2020
- Planning a Vacation? Here's How to Make Sure You Don't Bring Any Bed Bugs Home With You - Mental Floss - March 31st, 2020
- Bedbugs Information for Homeowners & Tenants - NYC Health - March 27th, 2020
- Bedbug Registry: Recent Bed Bug Reports for New York City - March 10th, 2020
- Dead homeless man found covered in bed bugs on subway train - New York Post - January 24th, 2020
- Staten Island NYCHA residents file nearly 2,000 roach and bedbug complaints in first 9 months of 2019 - SILive.com - January 14th, 2020
- NYC Bed Bugs: New York Hotels With Reported Bed Bug ... - November 19th, 2019
- Did A Brooklyn Artist Unleash Bedbugs On A Trump Hotel? Read This Transcript - Gothamist - November 15th, 2019
- Artist Duke Riley Definitely Did Not Infest the Trump Hotel with Bedbugs. No, Really, He Definitely Didnt - artnet News - November 14th, 2019
- Brooklyn NY Bed bug Hotel and Apartment Reports - September 7th, 2019
- Hotel Bedbugs: Check Registry of Hotels for Bed Bugs - March 3rd, 2019
- Bedbugs Finding Their Way Into New York City Schools - February 24th, 2019
- Bat Bug vs. Bed Bug: What Is the Difference? | Rest Easy ... - January 26th, 2019
- Are Bed Bugs in the Walls? | Bed Bug Exterminator NYC | 24 ... - January 26th, 2019
- How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your House - Healthy Home ... - January 26th, 2019
- The bed-bug whisperer of Brooklyn | The Outline - November 15th, 2018
- How do I avoid bringing bedbugs home after being exposed ... - July 27th, 2018
- Bedbugs - July 8th, 2018
- Bed Bug Registry Blog - July 4th, 2018
- What are bedbugs? Are they dangerous? - Scientific American - May 27th, 2018
- Bedbugs, muggers, and unemployment plague Broad City, but ... - December 29th, 2017
- Bed Bug Laws New York | NY Bed Bug Laws | Beyond Pest ... - December 13th, 2017
- Think you have bed bugs? Some dos and donts - December 7th, 2017
- Guaranteed Bed Bug Exterminator in Brooklyn, NYC ... - November 16th, 2017
- Bedbugs a Worry for Scouring Shoppers at Secondhand Stores ... - November 2nd, 2017
- Bedbugs (Itch, Itch, Scratch, Scratch)! - The New York Times - October 2nd, 2017
- Check your Hotel Apartment for complaints of Bed Bugs pg2 - September 20th, 2017
- Bed Bug and Extermination Services in New York City ... - July 31st, 2017
- Bedbugs Information for Homeowners & Tenants - July 2nd, 2017
- Can bedbugs walk up the sides of plastic bins? Got Bed ... - June 19th, 2017
- Bedbugs - Welcome to NYC.gov | City of New York - June 5th, 2017
- Bed Bug Facts and Answers | Guaranteed Removal of Bed Bugs ... - March 5th, 2017
- Bed Bugs - bedbugs.us.org - March 5th, 2017
- Brooklyn BED Bugs in Brooklyn, NY - (646) 963-9... - December 28th, 2016
- Bedbugs - New York City - December 23rd, 2016
- 10 Tips To Avoid Bedbugs | Care2 Healthy Living - December 8th, 2016
- Search for bed bugs in a hotel room (expert tips ... - May 24th, 2016
- NYC Pest Control & Bed Bug Exterminator | Bugs Are Gone - May 12th, 2016
- BedBugs.NET -- The Web's #1 Source for Bed Bug treatments ... - April 20th, 2016
- Minneapolis man accused of murdering mom over bedbugs ... - April 20th, 2016
- Man sets himself, apartment ablaze trying to kill bedbugs ... - April 20th, 2016
- Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, SI, NY bed bug ... - April 18th, 2016
- SEARCH / REPORT BED BUGS - registry.bedbugs.net - April 12th, 2016
- Bedbugs Invade New York City - What Are Bed Bugs? - April 5th, 2016
- New York NY Bed bug Hotel and Apartment Reports - April 1st, 2016
- Seattle WA Bed bug Hotel and Apartment Reports - March 30th, 2016
- Bed Bug King | Guaranteed Removal of Bed Bugs in New York ... - March 27th, 2016
- Pest control New York City, Bedbugs exterminator NYC, Bed ... - September 25th, 2015
- The War on Bedbugs - September 25th, 2015
- Global Bed Bug Statistics - registry.bedbugs.net - September 25th, 2015
- Greater Cleveland Pest Exterminator - Thorough Bed Bug ... - September 25th, 2015
- 1st in Termites, Bed Bugs, Rats, Roaches Removal & Pest ... - August 22nd, 2015
- Brooklyn Bed Bug Exterminator - Complete Removal of Bed Bugs - March 19th, 2015
- mcbrooklyn: Bedbugs On Four Floors at the Brooklyn DA's Office - February 10th, 2015
- Bed Bugs | Manhattan Bed Bug Attorneys | Brooklyn Accident ... - February 10th, 2015
- 24/7 Bed Bug Exterminator NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten ... - February 6th, 2015
- Bed Bug Exterminator Brooklyn Services - NYC 718.841.9983 - January 25th, 2015
- Bed Bugs Exterminator Brooklyn - 718-551-0870 | 24 Hour ... - October 29th, 2014
- Bed Bug Report for Marriott New York City Brooklyn Bridge ... - October 13th, 2014
- Bed Bugs Exterminator Brooklyn NYC: Brooklyn Pest Control - July 8th, 2014
- Brooklyn Bed Bugs | Call: 1-800-921-7610 Bed Bugs In Brooklyn - December 31st, 2013
- Brooklyn Exterminator Shares His Best Bed Bug Horror Stories ... - December 18th, 2013
- Brooklyn Bed Bugs Company - November 4th, 2013
- Bed Bug Exterminator Services in The Bronx, NY, NYC - November 2nd, 2013
- Bed Bug Exterminator | Bed Bug Products Get Rid Of Bed Bugs - November 2nd, 2013
- Brooklyn Bed Bugs Company - (718) 304 1220 - Video - August 13th, 2013
- Insufficient Bed Bug Treatment Scares Brooklyn Children's Museum ... - December 29th, 2012
- Bed Bugs found in Brooklyn Children's Museum | How to kill Bed ... - December 29th, 2012
- Brooklyn's Biggest Bed Bug Scares: An Uncomfortable Retrospective - December 29th, 2012
- After Bedbugs Found at Brooklyn Children's Museum, Experts Give ... - December 29th, 2012
- Brooklyn Bed Bugs Exterminators 718-509-0920 Pest Control in Brooklyn Wildlife Removal - Video - November 1st, 2012
- Bed Bug Exterminator Manhattan Terrace, 718-663-3439, Manhattan Terrace Exterminator Brooklyn NY - Video - July 6th, 2012
- Bed Bug Exterminator Dyker Heights, 718-732-3579, Dyker Heights Exterminator Brooklyn NY - Video - July 6th, 2012
- Bed Bug Exterminator East Flatbush, 718-374-6045, East Flatbush Exterminator Brooklyn NY - Video - July 6th, 2012
Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.