It is a common myth that bed bug infestation is only seen in filthy homes. You may have a perfectly well-maintained home and still find these nasty insects crawling over your body at night. So, what are home remedies for bed bugs? Should you call an exterminator? In this post, we are sharing some of these basic aspects.
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Simple home remedies worth trying
- The very first thing you can try is vacuuming the entire house. If you are consistent with using the vacuum cleaner, you are likely to see a reduction in bed bugs over a period of time.
- Steam cleaning. If you have the choice, steam cleaning can actually help in killing bed bugs. Exposing bed bugs to extreme temperatures – either hot or cold – should work in getting rid of these insects.
- Rubbing Alcohol may actually come in handy for killing bed bugs, but you have to be cautious. Tea Tree Oil, Borax, and Hydrogen Peroxide are some of the other products that can be considered for killing bed bugs.
When to call a professional exterminator?
Most home remedies may not work for bed bug removal in entirety. If you see that bed bugs are thriving despite all your good work, you may want to call an exterminator to get the work done. Exterminators usually have the manpower, right choice of products, equipment, and expertise, to handle any level of infestation. The top pest management companies will follow the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, where a bunch of treatment methods will be used for treating bed bugs. This may include using steam heat, freezing, and use of pesticides, depending on the extent of infestation.
Choosing the right exterminator
If you are hiring an exterminator for your home for the first time, insist on getting an inspection done. Make sure that the company is licensed, insured, and has an in-house team of pest control experts. Also, ensure that the exterminator explains their methods in depth. Eventually, you wouldn’t want the treatment to cause damage to your home, for which insurance is a key aspect. Find a company that also looks after the safety of other animals in the house and doesn’t use products that can pose unexpected risks.
Finally, when it comes to bed bug treatment, get an estimate in advance. Ask the exterminator if they offer any assurance on the job. Find an exterminator as soon as you spot the first signs of bed bugs.