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Get rid of bed bugs

Posted: 6/15/2009 9:55:45 AM By Angie | 7 comments

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Getting rid of bed bugs is different than getting rid of termites or other types of pests. Watch the video below for tips and tricks to identify and treat a bed bug infestation.

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Comments

	gwen stanton
	I need advice in regard to having to have a third fumigaton done for bed bugs - cannot seem to get rid of them no matter what. I did everything 100 per cent to prepare first time then could not empty all cupboards (clothes and a storage cupboard) last time. could this be why?
	11/17/2009 3:06:11 PM
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	gwen stamtpm
	can you let me know why after going through two fumigation treatments I am still dealing with bed bugs in my apartment. the only reason I can think of is that with the last treatment there was one cupboard I could not empty as I did not have the help to do it and at 72 yrs. of age it was too difficult. the fumiagation co. did not refuse to do the job because of this but I still have the "pests" around and wonder if that might be why. Every other cupboard excpet for one other with a few clothes in it was emptied. could this be the reason I still have them?
	11/17/2009 3:03:54 PM
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	Joy Gault
	The reason why there was a bedbug increase during the 2nd World War was that many service men and women inadvertantly brought the bugs back from overseas. The best way I've found to get rid of them is an old farm solution called diatomaceous earth. It is nontoxic and is still used as a "dust" parasite remover for farm animals, dogs and cats, etc. It is often given in small quantities internally to animals to kill intestinal parasites. It will kill any hard shelled "critter" including dust mites, fleas, bed bugs, roaches, etc. Google it. It really works!! Joy
	6/21/2009 7:49:18 AM
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	Laura L.
	I've found thermapure.com to be one of the best sites for info on bed bugs (even if you don't choose to use their services.) When I had bed bugs, I thought I had adult-onset allergies and had a severe case of hives. I was misdiagnosed by one allergist after another. Because bed bugs are mostly nocturnal (and small - adults are about the size of an apple seed), I never saw the actual bugs until months later, and didn't realize the rust stains on my sheets were dried blotches of blood, not rust stains from my clothes dryer. (Sounds strange!) I moved out of the infested apartment, and had each moving box carefully wrapped in black Hefty bags to avoid bringing the bugs with me to my new home. They've been in my garage for months (since the bugs can live 18+ months without feeding.) Now that it is finally summer, I can put a few boxes at a time in my car, leave the car in the driveway with windows closed in the hot sun on a 90-degree day, and the temps will kill anything leftover in the boxes. Then I will feel safe bringing them inside to start unpacking. Also, Angie is right -- better to go with a professional service than try to treat on your own. I used Smithereen (Chicago area), and wrote up an Angie's List report on them - excellent contractors. As to advice, check out the many available forums (such as bedbugger.com.) For the truly paranoid with stacks of money to spare, you can purchase devices which attract and capture bed bugs (Google "NightWatch Monitor".) SternEnvironmental.com on the east coast is another good resource. BTW Walter - on your hotel question - given your scenario, you will be bitten. The alternative is to sleep in your car if you're that concerned. Do not put luggage or duffel bags on a flat surface in a bed bug-infested room; rather use a garment bag and hang it in the closet. When returning from travel, assume you're bringing the bugs home (again, if you're really that concerned), and heat or spray-treat your travel belongings appropriately before bringing them into your home.
	6/18/2009 1:18:56 PM
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	Dave
	You don't mention Hygenitech, ultra voilet light and vacuum system which kills bed bugs and is a lot cheaper.....
	6/17/2009 10:43:42 PM
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	walter lakey
	I'd like some advice on how to get through a night at cheap motel at which you've arrived late and encounter BBs, need sleep, but don't want to be bitten and also don't want to bring them back home...
	6/17/2009 7:29:31 PM
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	R. E. Subieta
	Heat treatment is one option, but you have to be careful with heat sensitive items such as plastics and some electronics. It's not uncommon for bedbugs to live inside clock radios. It's also very hard to raise temperature to 140 degrees inside wall voids which may harbor bedbugs. Fumigation with Vikane gas is also very effective but it has the advantage of eliminating bedbugs from the entire structure.
	6/17/2009 5:58:57 PM
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