Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs

Get Rid of Bed Bugs Once and for All

Know the steps you need to take to clear out these uber-pests.

The United States is under siege. A growing infestation of bed bugs has moved beyond being a mere itchy, painful annoyance in major cities to become a threat to the health of citizens around the country.
Bed bugs look like small cockroaches, and they’re darker after they feed. They congregate where they can find blood, especially in beds and on furniture—but they can also live on hard surfaces such as bookshelves, picture frames and walls. Their bites, which are raised itchy bumps, may be mistaken for flea or mosquito bites, so bed bugs often go undetected for some time. The dark blotches of blood and fecal matter that they leave on bedclothes and in the crevices of other surfaces are often the first sign of an infestation.
Researchers recently found bed bugs carrying two types of drug-resistant bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Even more frightening is the fact that these nasty little critters are developing a resistance to pesticides. Compared to ten years ago, today's bed bugs are a thousand times more resistant to the chemicals used to fight them.
So how does one battle uber-bed bugs like those found today?
First and foremost, do all you can to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. Bed bugs tend to move from one location to the next by means of hitchhiking, often grabbing a ride on suitcases, moving boxes or even clothes.
A few precautions may be warranted if you stay at a hotel or other location where bed bugs might exist.
For starters, do not put your suitcase on the bed. Instead place it on a hard wooden surface or metal rack. If that’s not an option, wrap your bag in a large plastic bag before departure. When you get home empty the contents directly into the washing machine and wash at the highest temperature possible. Similarly, use the highest heat setting on the dryer. If it's below freezing out, place your bagged suitcase outside for a few cold nights to freeze the bugs out. Otherwise, vacuum your luggage thoroughly on a hard surface where escaping bugs will be visible. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
If you suspect bed bugs have found their way into your mattress, act fast. Begin by stripping your bed and washing and drying your bedding at the highest heat possible. Next, vacuum the mattress and box spring thoroughly to remove bugs and eggs. When you re-make the bed, make sure none of the bedding touches the floor.
If that doesn't resolve the problem, place your box spring and mattress in a zippered, vinyl cover for at least a year. If you're a tenant, notify your landlord and ask for assistance. If you're a homeowner, contact a professional pest company for a full assessment and recommendation.