The key to getting rid of a bed bug infestation is to treat it early. Infestations usually begin on the mattress and spread out toward the rest of the bedroom furniture or to the surrounding rooms. Bed bugs spread fast and they are resistant to many pesticides, so it’s important to act fast and use diligence before it is too much to handle. If you have a bed bug problem and need help, reach out to bed bug control.
Thanks to international travel and globalization, bed bugs are unfortunately very common in Ontario. Bed bugs are commonly picked up in hotels and spread from one place to the next by clinging to our belongings. These insects are about 5mm long, very flat, oval, and reddish-brown in colour. Bed bugs feed solely on the blood of humans and animals. To feed, they hide during the day and come out at night to bite us in our sleep. The average female bed bug can produce hundreds of offspring in her lifetime.
To get rid of bed bugs on a mattress, start by cleaning the entire bedroom thoroughly. Reduce as much clutter as you can. Vacuum the bedroom from top to bottom: all fabrics, upholstery, curtains, rugs, and textiles should be vacuumed thoroughly. Then, remove your bed sheets from the mattress and wash them in hot water with the rest of your clothes. If you cannot wash everything right away, store them in sealed plastic bags. Move the bed from the wall and vacuum the mattress. Be sure to vacuum every seam and crevice. Vacuum the bed frame and box spring as well, then spray them with a store-bought bed bug spray or vinegar. Throw out the contents of the vacuum as soon as you’re done. Then, powder the bed frame inside and out with diatomaceous earth. This product is 100% natural and will eliminate any bed bugs you missed with the spray. You should then cover the mattress in a bed bug-proof mattress protector and put interceptor cups on the legs of the bed if you can. Leave the cover on the mattress for at least a year; this will trap any remaining bed bugs or eggs. Likewise, the interceptor cups will trap any bed bugs trying to get in the bed. Finally, you should get in the habit of vacuuming regularly and not letting any bedding slide off the side of the bed.
Follow these guidelines only if the bed bug population is still small. A more advanced infestation will require professional intervention. The professionals at The Exterminators use top of the line pesticides that are more effective than those sold in stores. We also apply steam treatments to mattresses to ensure that every bug is accounted for. Reach out to us at The Exterminators – Pest Control Mississauga for the safest and most effective pest control treatments.
