Everybody desires a good night’s sleep. A bed bug infestation will, unfortunately, deny you that luxury. These pestilent, irritating bugs crawl out of their hiding spots and feed on your blood. It is in your best interest to deal with the infestation as soon as possible.
Most people end up committing some common while trying to get rid of bed bugs. It is hard enough to get rid of bed bugs without making mistakes. Such mistakes make it more expensive to get rid of an infestation or in worse case scenario, spread the infestation. Reading these post will help you to avoid common mistakes people make when getting rid of bed bugs.
Table of Contents
1. Treating an infestation on Panic mode
A fearful reaction when you find a bed bug infestation in your home is understandable. Going into a full-on panic mode over an infestation is, however, not the best way to handle the situation. Panicking means that you are not thinking straight and your decisions regarding how to deal with the bed bug infestation will be compromised.
When you uncover an infestation you need to remain calm and collected no matter the severity of the situation. Taking actions while on a panic mode will likely cost you a lot of money and deliver unfavorable results. A calm mind can think through all the bed bug treatment options and choose the best one based on their merits and demerits.
2. Bathing your home in pesticides
The first thing that often comes to mind when you uncover an infestation is using pesticides. Most people run to a pesticide store near them on first sign of a bed bug infestation. Contrary to popular belief, pesticides are not your best option.
They are pretty expensive and they don’t deliver the results that you expect them to provide. A recent study shows that bed bugs have developed a dramatic immunity to regular dosages of insecticides. This means that you will have to spend a consider amount of money on insecticides that may not get rid of the bed bugs.
It is also worth noting that insecticides are often harmful to your health. They may irritate your skin or eyes or in a worst case scenario, affect your nervous system. It wise to invest in a healthy expert guide to getting rid of bed bugs rather than spending your money on insecticides.
3. Expecting to get rid of any bed bug situation in the same way
You may find yourself having to deal with a bed bug situation after successfully exterminating them previously. In such a scenario, you will be tempted to use the same treatment method that you had used earlier. The truth, however, is that every bed bug situation is different. What had worked earlier may not deliver satisfactory results on your second try.
Several factors come to play when deciding an ideal bed bug treatment method. Some of the factors you need to consider include the size of the infested area and the intensity of the infestation. You also need to keep in mind that treating some bed bug infestations may take longer than others.
4. Thinking that bed bugs only confine themselves to your bed
You might be led to believe that bed bugs confine themselves to your bed just because of their name. Treating your bed alone will not get rid of an infestation because these pesky bugs can hide in several other areas. Some of the spaces you need to check include, behind picture frames, floor carpets, and any furniture in the room.
These bugs can crawl 30 to 40 feet to your bed and back to their hiding spots in a 24-hour period. It is, therefore, wise to inspect the entire room and treat it when you uncover a bed bug infestation.
5. Tossing your vacuum bug without sealing it up
Vacuuming helps get rid of bed bugs especially when you have bed bugs in your car. It is, however, important to note that a vacuum cleaner does not kill bed bugs. The bed bugs can easily escape from the vacuum bag and find their way back into your home.
It is best to seal the vacuum bag with tape after cleaning a bed bug infested space. You should also place the sealed vacuum bag in a plastic bag before disposing it. This will ensure that the bed bugs do not escape.
6. Sleeping in a different room
Moving to a different room is often the first thing that comes to mind when trying to get rid of bed bugs. This seems like a wise decision but it is a big mistake. Bed bugs can find you in an infested home no matter where you choose to sleep.
Moving to a different room also serves to spread these pesky bugs. It is wise to remain in the same bed, deal with the infestation and keep it from spreading. Use a mattress cover to trap the bed bugs in place and minimize the risk of bites.
7. Moving to a friend’s house
Like relocating to a different room, moving into a friend’s or a relative’s home only makes things worse. Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your belongings. If you move to friend’s house, the bugs may bring them to his or her home unsuspectingly.
Bed bugs are tiny critters with excellent hiding capabilities. You may fail to notice them even if you inspect your belongings. The bottom line is, moving into a friend’s house when trying to get rid of an infestation is an unnecessary risk.
8. Disposing infested items
A common mistake most people make is disposing their mattress and other infested belongings. This is wasteful and pricey because you will have to replace all the items. More importantly, disposing infested items does not help to get rid of a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs can hide in several other places including cracks on walls. The bed bugs remaining in your home will infest the new items. You should therefore, quarantine the infested items and treat them to save yourself the cost of buying new ones.
9. Failing to seek for expert advice
Getting rid of bed bugs is a challenging task especially if you don’t have all the necessary information. Bed bugs have been around for thousands of years so, it is not surprising that they are much harder to kill than most pests. Reading our posts on bed bugs will help you to understand your situation, assess it, and formulate an effective treatment plan.
Final thoughts
Dealing with a bed bug infestation is never an easy task. Avoiding common mistakes can, however, make things easier and guarantee success in your extermination efforts. It is in your best interest to remember these mistakes and avoid them while trying to get rid of bed bugs.