Bed Bugs Home Remedy

One of the main problems a pest control service encounters is bed bug infestations.

 

Bed bugs are a nocturnal insect that feeds on blood. Bed bugs seek out warm-blooded hosts to feed on. Bed bugs have adapted to hide in small enclosed places until they are active. Bed bugs are about 1/8 of an inch large. Their size and nocturnal habits make them hard to spot.

 

A bed bug feeds on the host by piercing the skin and drawing blood. The bug feeds for about five minutes before hiding again. A typical hiding place is a dark, enclosed spot such as a bed, linens, furniture and carpets.

While the bed bug has not been connected to any specific disease, their bites can become infected and in some cases, highly allergic people can go into anaphylactic shock. This can result in the need for pest control services.

 

There are a few home remedies a homeowner can use to try to get a handle on this pest control issue for themselves.

 

Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact, so spraying the area where the bugs flourish is a way to keep the problem in check. Insecticides are safe to use in areas that are out of reach of pets and children. Steam is effective when used on items that are less than ½ inch thick. Direct heat of over 113 degrees from a dryer or direct sun light can also be used to treat bedding and clothing.

 

Bed bugs usually travel in the folds of clothing and bedding and are found in areas such as hotel rooms or apartment buildings or even in furniture when people change residences. Heat, steam and insecticides are three of the ways that a home owner can get rid of a bed bug infestation on their own. Some extreme cases may need the services of a professional exterminator.