Bed bugs are averse to slick surfaces like glass, plastic, and polished metals and stone. They can, however, grasp and cling onto textiles and porous materials like wood. Bed bugs are positively thigmotactic; that is, they prefer to be in crevices versus out in the open.
Bed bugs do not like to climb or stay on smooth plastic materials. Placing small items in plastic containers or in sealed heavy-duty plastic bags will prevent bed bugs from infesting the items. In an infested home, placing clutter in plastic containers will make bed bug elimination efforts easier.
If you have to go into a home with a known bedbug infestation, applying a commercial repellent containing DEET to your clothes and shoes can be effective. But be careful, DEET sprays shouldn't be applied to furniture and certain fabrics because it could be damaging.
Smooth, non-porous surfaces like metal make it harder for bed bugs to establish a home. MOLDED PLASTIC. Thermoplastic injection molded furniture is a single piece construction. Molded plastic offers a smooth surface that resists bed bugs.
It's best to keep the infestation localized to as few rooms as possible. This will also make remediation easier. Do continue to sleep in your bedroom after identifying a bed bug infestation. If you move rooms or start sleeping on the couch you run the risk of contaminating these other areas of your home.
Another tip is to choose furniture with hard surfaces like solid wood and plastic over soft or porous surfaces. Even then inspect all purchases thoroughly and clean them before introducing them to your living space.
If bed bugs have one weakness, it's that they're intolerant of extremely high or low temperatures. Washing clothes and bedding at the highest possible setting followed by drying for at least 30 minutes at high heat should do the trick. You can also freeze clothing or other objects you suspect of being infested.
Rubbing Alcohol
Bed bugs can be kept at bay using rubbing alcohol. Not just the smell, but the touch of rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs and also prevent them from laying eggs.
Some individuals attempt to use dryer sheets as a DIY bed bug treatment, believing that the scent might discourage bed bugs. However, little scientific evidence supports their effectiveness in repelling or eliminating bed bugs. Relying solely on this method is unlikely to fully address an active bed bug problem.
Cockroaches. When it comes to bed bug predators cockroaches are at the top of our list. They not only eat adult and nymph bed bugs they also feed on bed bug eggs.
While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.
In 2009, EPA and CDC collaborated on a joint statement to highlight the public health impacts of bed bugs . Myth: Bed bugs won't come out if the room is brightly lit. Reality: While bed bugs prefer darkness, keeping the light on at night won't deter these pests from biting you.
Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act like pyrethrins. Both compounds are lethal to bed bugs and can flush bed bugs out of their hiding places and kill them.
Contrary to what the term suggests, bed bugs don't build traditional nests. Instead, they congregate in certain areas, often close to where they feed. Signs of a bed bug nest can include dark spotting and staining, which is their dried excrement.
Bed bugs are not known to spread pathogens through their bites. Bed bug bites can be itchy and stressful. Do not squish a bed bug as it will release the blood and any pathogens it may be carrying.
Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids: These are among the most common insecticides used against bed bugs. Pyrethrins, derived from chrysanthemum flowers, kill bed bugs on contact, while synthetic pyrethroids provide longer-lasting effects.
Encase mattresses and box springs in protective plastic covers. Vacuum frequently, especially in areas near where you sleep. Cut down on clutter in your home, which will eliminate some hiding places for bed bugs. If you live in an apartment or other shared housing, try to close off your unit.
The first clue suggesting that you may have a bed bug infestation is often the presence of itching bites. However, bites reactions are quite variable and may not be due to bed bugs at all. Be aware of the other signs that bed bugs leave behind: fecal spots, molted skins, and aggregations.
Tea tree oil, renowned for its antibacterial properties, is like a natural bug repellent that bed bugs can't stand. Peppermint oil, with its invigorating minty freshness, overwhelms their acute senses. And eucalyptus oil, known for its refreshing aroma, is a formidable deterrent against these tiny intruders.
To lure bed bugs out of their hiding spots, you can use a steamer or a hairdryer to heat areas such as mattresses. Neither of these is hot enough to kill the bed bugs, but it can trick them into thinking a human host is near. You can also keep an eye out at night to locate their nests when they are most active.
Bed bugs are averse to slick surfaces like glass, plastic, and polished metals and stone. They can, however, grasp and cling onto textiles and porous materials like wood.
Using a steamer is an effective and eco-friendly way to kill bed bugs in your couch. The hot steam is able to penetrate the cushions and couch to kill any bed bugs hiding inside your sofa. After doing step one through three, if you still see bed bugs you can use a professional chemical spray.
Memory foam mattresses are known for their dense, polyurethane foam composition, which makes them an excellent choice for avoiding bed bugs and the selection on offer at Sleepy Hollow is unrivalled, with loads of memory mattresses available online and on display in our store in Chorley.