Whether or not you have had to deal with bed bugs or heard the stories, you will know how frustrating and overwhelming they can be. These tiny pests can cause great problems which include physical discomfort as well as emotional distress. Chances and risks whether you choose to treat the bed bugs on your own or with the help of professional services will always vary, depending primarily on the type of pest, the level of infestation, the layout of your property, and the available treatment methods, to find out more check this out.
Understanding bed bug infestations:
Before you can consider the different treatment options, you will need to understand the nature of bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans, adult bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, are wingless, and are roughly the size of an apple seed. Young bed bugs, or nymphs, are smaller and can appear more translucent or yellowish in color.
Bed bugs usually get into your home from another place that’s infested with them, therefore, if you live in an apartment building, they can travel from one unit to another and can even catch a ride on secondhand furniture, or travel with your luggage. Bed bugs are tiny and good at hiding during the day, therefore making it easy for them to get into your house without you even knowing about it.
DIY Bed Bugs Treatment- how does it work?
Bed bugs are a nightmare for any homeowner. These tiny pests are a nuisance as they may cause sleepless nights, itchy skin, and even possible health problems, unfortunately, bed bug infestations are on the rise therefore knowing the different treatment options available will be beneficial.
As a result of the rise of the infestation, many people are opting for DIY bed bug extermination methods instead of needing to call a professional exterminator, here are some natural remedies that might help the infestation.
1. Baking soda
- Baking soda is one of the most versatile home remedies in your pantry and is often a popular opinion.
- Baking soda when used to treat bed bugs, absorbs the surface fluids on the waxy layer of a bed bugs shell and causes them to dehydrate.
- Method:
- The idea is to sprinkle baking soda around the areas which bed bugs typically inhabit areas such as a mattress and the areas around your bed. After a couple of days, you should vacuum it up and repeat the process.
2. Baby powder
- Baby powder is a popular home remedy for bed bugs.
- Method:
- Sprinkle baby powder around the bed bug hotspots such as around your bed frames and or underneath your bedroom furniture.
- You can try to create a trap by putting some baby powder in a bowl and placing it underneath your bed, they will enter the bowl but it will be too slippery for them to get out.
3. Lavender oil
- Lavender oil has many uses and it’s not only for relaxation and stress relief, and can therefore lavender oil can be used as a natural remedy to kill bed bugs at home. Lavender oil produces a toxic smell that bed bugs hate.
- Method:
- Mix 10 to 15 drops of lavender oil with 50ml in a spray water bottle, and spray it directly into the areas where the bed bug infestation can be seen.
Long-term outcomes of DIY treatments:
The success of DIY treatments will depend on the circumstances, minor infestations may be successfully managed, but more severe cases may often require professional intervention.
Professional Bed Bug Treatment:
Bed bug treatment requires a more holistic approach, however, professional pest control methods offer a higher success rate in being able to eradicate bed bugs. The professionals are trained to identify and treat the infestations by making use of more advanced methods and products that may not be available to the public. Professional pest control specialists make use of chemical treatments and sometimes combine heat treatments which allow for deeper penetration into the hiding spots of bed bugs and are able to more effectively kill them at all stages in their life/ development.
Professional bed bug treatment is a multiple-step process that is designed to effectively eliminate the infestation some include:
- Inspection and assessment
- Preparation
- Chemical treatment
- Heat treatment
- Stream treatment
- Follow-up inspections
- Preventative measures
Professional bed bug treatment is essential for severe infestation and can be highly effective when conducted properly, sometimes DIY methods are often inadequate for eradicating bed bugs completely.
Both DIY and professional treatments have their place however it depends on the circumstances surrounding the infestation. In order to choose the right option, carefully assess your situation to determine the best approach for effectively eliminating bed bugs from your home.
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