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Spotting Bed Bug Infestations
What to Look For To Get Rid of Bed Bugs at Home
Catching bed bugs early makes a world of difference. Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for:
- Blood Spots: Tiny blood spots on your sheets and pillowcases could mean bed bugs are around.
- Droppings: Look for small, smeared brownish-red or rusty spots on your bedding and nearby areas.
- Shed Skins: As they grow, bed bugs shed their skins, leaving behind hollow, light-colored shells of different sizes.
- Eggs and Shells: Bed bug eggs and their shells are tiny and sticky, often hiding in mattresses, dark corners, crevices, and on bedding.
- Live Bed Bugs
- Bites
For a more detailed list of bed bug signs, check out our dedicated page.
Bed Bug Behavior
Knowing how bed bugs behave helps in spotting and dealing with them. Here’s what you should know:
- Lifespan: Bed bugs can live for over 12 months if the temperature is right.
- Reproduction: A female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime, with 2 or more eggs laid daily.
- Hiding Spots: They love hiding in mattresses, dark corners, crevices, and on bedding. They’re great at finding hard-to-reach spots.
- Feeding Habits: Bed bugs feed on blood, usually at night, and they tend to bite exposed skin, leaving itchy welts.
For more on bed bug behavior, visit our bed bug eggs page.
By knowing these signs and behaviors, you can better spot and get rid of bed bugs at home effectively.
Nailing Bed Bug Detection
Getting rid of bed bugs is key to keeping your home comfy and pest-free. Let’s talk about the Bed Bug Barrier System and how to kick those bed bugs to the curb.
The Bed Bug Barrier System
The Bed Bug Barrier System is your go-to for tackling bed bugs. It uses mattress and bed protectors along with a natural powder called Bed Bug Killer Powder. This powder dries out bed bugs on contact, giving you both quick and long-lasting relief.
Here’s how it works:
- Mattress Protection: Wrap your mattress in an encasement to keep bed bugs out.
- Base Protection: Cover the mattress base and sprinkle Bed Bug Killer Powder around it. The powder dries out and kills any bed bugs it touches.
- Surrounding Protection: Use barrier tape and powder around walls and furniture to trap bed bugs and lead them to the powder.
This system isolates bed bugs, lures them to the powder, and forces them into barriers where they meet their end. It stops future infestations in their tracks.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs At Home Fast & Forever
If you think you have bed bugs, don’t panic. Just follow these easy 3 steps to get rid of bed bugs fast and forever.
Step 1: Secure the Mattress
Start by covering your sleeping mattress with a bed bug mattress cover, ensuring it’s zipped up and the tab is closed. This traps bed bugs inside, eventually killing them through starvation. It also helps spot bed bugs because the covers remove hiding spots on the mattress.
Step 2: Treat the Bed Frame or Ensemble Base
– Ensemble Beds:
Stand the base on its end, remove all the wheels and cover it with a bed bug mattress cover, and zip it up completely. Screw the wheels back into the base, piercing the cover with the bed leg screws.
– Bed Frames with Slats:
Use a Bed Bug Steamer to steam the entire bed frame, paying special attention to cracks and crevices. Remove the slats and steam on both the top and bottom surfaces of the slats.
Before replacing bed slats, apply Bed Bug Killer powder to the bed frame and slats using a Bed Bug Killer Duster. Ensure the powder covers every inch, including the undersides.
Step 3: Set Up Barriers or Tape
To protect yourself from bed bugs in the room, use Bed Bug Barriers:
- Screw-in Barriers: Attach these to the legs of the ensemble beds. Apply powder inside and outside the barriers and on the wheels.
- Floor Barriers: Place bed legs in the Floor Barrier, dusting powder inside the tray and barrier.
- Bed Bug Barrier Tape: For square bed legs or those larger than 65mm, use the tape at the bottom of the legs, dusting powder around the leg and floor.
Final Tips:
– Keep your bed at least 30cm away from walls, bedside tables, and other furniture to prevent bed bugs from climbing on your bed.
– Isolate the bed so the only access points are the bed legs. This setup will kill bed bugs in the room within a few weeks to a month, regardless of their hiding places.
Following these steps will ensure bed bugs are effectively eliminated from your bed and room, allowing you to sleep peacefully, knowing you’re protected.
DIY Bed Bug Control Costs
Save Money, Sleep Tight
Getting rid of bed bugs on your own can save you a ton of cash compared to hiring exterminators. Plus, you won’t have to pack up and leave your home. DIY methods give you the power to kick those pesky bugs to the curb without using harsh chemicals.
Method | Cost |
---|---|
Diatomaceous Earth | $39 |
Steam | $49 |
Mattress Covers | $42-$95 |
Signs and Symptoms of Bed Bugs
Spotting bed bugs early can save you a lot of headaches (and itchy nights). Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
Skin Reactions
One of the first clues is red, itchy rashes. These bites can pop up anywhere on your body—arms, legs, back, neck, you name it. They often look like a bunch of tiny mosquito bites.
Another hint? Bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases. These can happen if you squash a bed bug in your sleep or if they leave a bit of blood behind after feeding. But don’t jump to conclusions just from a few stains; look for more evidence.
Symptom | Description |
---|---|
Red Rash | Itchy, looks like mosquito bites |
Bloodstains | On sheets and pillowcases |
![bedbug bites](https://www.bedbugbarrier.com.au/wp-content/uploads/bed-bug-bites-on-shoulder-300x300.jpeg)
Bed Bug Bites
Physical Evidence
Bed bugs leave behind some pretty telling signs:
- Droppings: These look like tiny, smeared brown or rusty spots on your bedding and nearby areas. They often come with castings and eggs, which are sure signs of bed bugs.
- Castings and Eggshells: As bed bugs grow, they shed their skin, leaving behind light-colored, hollow shells. You might find these on your sheets or mattress.
- Odor: Bed bugs can give off a musty smell, sometimes described as berry-like. This odor can attract more bed bugs.
Physical Evidence | Description |
---|---|
Droppings | Tiny, smeared brown or rusty spots |
Castings and Eggshells | Light-colored, hollow skins and eggshells |
Odor | Musty or berry-like smell |
Looking for budget-friendly ways to tackle bed bugs? Check out our guide on DIY bed bugs and learn how to spot bed bug eggs.
Catching these signs early can help you take action to get rid of bed bugs at home.
Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Home
Keeping bed bugs at bay isn’t rocket science, but it does require knowing how these little hitchhikers get around and where they like to hang out. With a bit of know-how, you can stop them from making your home their own.
How They Get In
Bed bugs are sneaky little critters that can find their way into your home through a bunch of different ways. Here’s what you need to watch out for:
- Luggage: These pests love to travel. If you stay somewhere that’s infested, they can easily hop into your suitcase and come home with you. Always give your luggage a good once-over when you get back.
- Secondhand Furniture: That cool vintage couch you found? It might be hiding more than just style. Bed bugs can live in used furniture, so inspect it thoroughly before bringing it inside.
- Clothes and Bedding: Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your clothes or bedding, especially if you’ve been in an infested area. Wash and dry these items on high heat to kill any unwanted guests.
Want to know more about spotting these pests? Check out our article on bed bug signs.
Where They Hide
Bed bugs are masters of hide-and-seek. They can squeeze into the tiniest spaces, making them hard to find and even harder to get rid of.
- Bedrooms: They love to hang out in mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and bedding. Basically, anywhere close to where you sleep.
- Furniture: They can hide in the cracks and crevices of sofas, chairs, and even behind picture frames.
- Walls and Floors: Bed bugs can sneak into electrical outlets, baseboards, and under carpets.
These hiding spots make it tough for DIY treatments to reach every bug, often leading to repeat infestations. For tips on tackling them yourself, check out our guide on DIY bed bug solutions.
By knowing how bed bugs travel and where they hide, you can take steps to keep them out and enjoy a bug-free home.
Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?
Video For An Ensemble Bed
Video For A Bed with Slats
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How to get rid of bed bugs permanently at home?
To permanently get rid of bed bugs at home, use bed bug-proof covers, bed bug killer powder, steam and barriers. - What will kill bed bugs instantly?
Bed bugs can be killed instantly with high heat. Use a bed bug steamer on infested areas to kill bed bugs instantly. - What can kill bed bugs in the house?
Diatomaceous Earth and steam can kill bed bugs in the house without concerns about toxins or poisons. - What scent kills bed bugs instantly?
There is no scent that kills bed bugs instantly.
Lucas says
This whole system might seem a bit complicated to use, especially when you haven’t dealt with bed bugs, but after my first infestation I was about to collapse from the shock and the sleepless nights. I say the first because we had a guy that claimed that he cleaned the house – using stinky sprays – but after less than a month the bugs were back. We finally got our house back and are pest-free and your system and bed bug killer powder did the job.
Damian M. says
I have never used a mattress base encasement because I thought it would be enough just to protect the mattress but when you think about it, this is only half of the problem. This base protector could prove to be the difference between a house infested with bed bugs and a clean one.
Johanna says
I like that you approached this problem from three different fields which makes it even more effective. The mattress is the focal point because this could be the main lair of those gross bed bugs but you also have to think about walls, electrical outlets, carpets, wallpaper and so on.
Sarah says
I have always used a mattress encasement just in case the bed bugs fairy decided to give me a visit. Seriously though, it’s super hard to get rid of bed bugs, especially with strong chemicals because they are immune to most of it. I have heard only positive reviews about your Bed Bug Killer and I think I will give it a try.
Tony Abrahams says
HI Sarah. We have had thousands of good reviews about our powder. Great results!
Diana says
A friend of mine in the US recently found herself in the middle of a huge bed bug infestation and this freaked me out a bit because I travel a lot. Now I’m worried about beg bugs without even having them! I will use your Bed Bug Killer powder as a preventative measure including your mattress encasements for all my mattresses.
Annie Marie Peters says
Excellent advice! I like this bed bug barrier system a lot. It’s looks very secure and easy to set up. The dust powder is a good idea for the surrounding area. I hadn’t even thought about them nesting in picture frames!
Tony Abrahams says
Unfortunately these little critter nest anywhere as long as they can get a blood meal.