Fighting Bedbugs: How to Win

By Renee Garcia

If there are bedbugs at your house, you must begin fighting bedbugs to control the spread and severity of the infestation. You see, bedbugs travel fast because these can be carried from one area to another through furniture, pets, shoes, clothes, linens, and many others. Even multi-unit dwellings like apartments, condominiums, and hotels are not spared from bedbug infestations.

There are so many ways by which you can fight bedbugs. The simplest method is through sun exposure. Bedbugs die under extreme heat. Therefore, you can expose the infested furniture under the sun for hours to kill bedbugs. Another method is by steam cleaning. The only disadvantage of steam cleaning is that not all furniture can withstand this treatment.

Using diatomaceous soil is another way in fighting bedbugs. The particles of diatomaceous soil have jagged edges which can kill bedbugs.

Another method in fighting bedbugs is with the use of insecticides. You will find many varieties of bedbug insecticides. Examples of these are residual insecticides, insecticidal dusts, contact insecticides, and insect growth regulators. Bedbug insecticides can be in sprays, powder, or liquid forms.

Insecticides must be applied on the entire infested area. Pay special attention to holes, crevices, and cracks as these the preferred hiding places of these insects. In handling insecticides, you must always observe utmost care. Insecticides are poisonous if ingested.

Some bedbug insecticides were formulated to be less toxic and environment-friendly. Before applying the insecticides, always read the product label and instructions first. You must also check if a certain number of treatments are needed to achieve optimal results.

After every treatment, you must vacuum the infested area and furniture. And after vacuuming, you must dispose of the used vacuum bag properly by sealing it inside a plastic bag. This will ensure that bedbugs will not be transmitted.

In fighting bedbugs, it is also important to control re-infestation. First, make sure that you strictly follow the treatment regimen. Then, wrap your treated mattress in a plastic, fabric, or vinyl mattress cover. This has zippers along the sides which seals in the mattress inside. This way if any bedbug was spared from the treatment, it cannot eat and will eventually die. Reduce clutter and observe cleanliness. - 30446

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