social

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

33 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

July 10, 2010

Has anybody ever heard of Bed Bug Chasers? Has anybody had any success treating an entire house with heat to get rid of bed bugs? Rather than chemicals I would like to treat the whole house rather a room or two just to be safe.

Advertisement

By Mike from Huntington, NY

Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 186 Feedbacks
July 10, 20100 found this helpful

I don't know if there is a remedy that you can do yourself for bed bugs. From every thing I have heard it takes an exerminator and more than one treatment.

 
July 13, 20100 found this helpful

I read that tea tree oil will get rid of them. Maybe spraying it on the floors will help.

 
July 13, 20100 found this helpful

Bed bugs can survive for up to a year without feeding on a blood source, so figuring out how to kill bed bugs is a real challenge. These parasites are able to hide in small cracks and crevices, are difficult to find, and even harder to eradicate. Females can lay up to 300 eggs, which hatch within ten days, thus creating an ever-growing population.

Advertisement


Once an infestation has occurred, patience and persistence is the key to ridding the area of bed bugs.

When choosing a professional bed bug exterminator, be careful! Many companies that only specialize in how to kill bedbugs aren't as qualified as full-service pest control companies. Your best bet is to find an established pest control service company that has been in service for at least five years, and you might also ask around and see if anybody you know or look at review sites (like yelp.com) to see if there are recommendations for any specific pest control services.

Make sure the pest control company you choose is certified in your state. Exterminators can be pretty expensive; expect to pay between $250 to $1,000 per room. You'll also want to make sure you choose a pest control company that will make follow-up visits, these are usually necessary for bed bug elimination. Bed bugs are nasty critters and can cause serious illness. There is an apartment complex near me that had to have the tenants throw out ALL of their furniture and rip up the carpeting before the exterminator began his work because they are so difficult to kill.

Advertisement


I would urge you to beg, borrow or steal (well, not steal) the money to hire an experienced exterminator. It will be well worth it.

 
July 17, 20100 found this helpful

Do a search on Diatomacous Food Grade. According to the reviews it will get rid of about anything and will not harm people or pets. It's sold on the internet or at Home Depot, or Garden shops and is reasonably priced.

 
Answer this Question

September 16, 2014

I'm trying to find out if baking soda kills off bed bugs. Does anyone know? I want to get them before they infest my apartment, I detected them early. They are here due to a neighbor who brought in road side furniture.

By Chris

Read More Answers

January 18, 2013

We have bedbugs in the apartments where I live. They haven't reached my apt yet. How do I get rid of bedbugs or prevent them?

By Dollie from Tucson, AZ

Answers

January 20, 20130 found this helpful

I spread around 20 mule team borax powder and leave it down. It will dry out the eggs and also deodorizes. I put it between the box spring and mattress and under the cushions of the furniture eg couch, chairs. If you do get them you can bomb the apt with a bed bug bomb bought at cleaning supply stores. Follow the directions on the label.

Advertisement


This has worked for me.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks
January 20, 20130 found this helpful

Borax is poisonous to pets and children, so be careful with that. Of course, you have to use something poisonous to kill the bugs, so it is a tradeoff. This should be your landlord's responsibility, to fumigate the building. You should also call an exterminator in your area for advice. Google "bedbug prevention" for many other tips.

 
January 20, 20130 found this helpful

Diatomacious Earth should do it. (spelling may be wrong). It is available at garden shops, feed stores, etc. It's non-toxic to humans and animals but kills most bugs.

 
Answer this Question

May 13, 2012

We don't know were they came from, but they have invaded my leather couch and the store bought sprays are not working very well. Does anyone have a better idea?

By Karen

Answers

May 13, 20120 found this helpful

I think it is time to hire a professional exterminator that has experience ridding your house of bedbugs. Look in your phone book under pest control services.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks
May 15, 20120 found this helpful

Yes, call a professional. There are NO home remedies that work.

 
May 28, 20120 found this helpful

Rubbing alcohol kills bed bugs; preferably wintergreen. Could add your own essential oil(s), like frankincense, lavender, cinnamon oil, whatever.

Advertisement

Rubbing alcohol can also stop the itching from a bed bug bite. Do Not Use rubbing alcohol if you are allergic. Most people with allergies can have someone else spray and usually do not have a problem with this method if they wait for the alcohol is evaporate and the odor to dissipate.

Put rubbing alcohol in spray bottle and thoroughly saturate the item; couch, beds, baseboards, shoes ... so that it stays saturated for at least 15 minutes. Repeat every 3 to 4 days until there is no evidence of bites, then weekly thereafter. It can takes several months to completely eradicate the adults and hatching eggs.

It takes a long time to completely rid yourself of this type of infestation, but it can be done. Bed bugs can live for over 18 months without a feeding.

Advertisement

Vacuum floors, sprinkle carpets with Diamtomaeous Earth and leave in as long as you can; repeat several times a week, then weekly, then bi-monthly. DE can take months to work, so you want to use the rubbing alcohol as much as possible to stop with feeding frenzy.

Wash sheets, pillows, blankets, hats, clothing, washcloth's and towels and other items everyday and put in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes at a temperature above 130 degrees. Things that cannot be washed, dried, steamed - can be put in black plastic bags and placed in the sun for a day or two or three.

Important: Buy and use plastic mattress and pillow covers with zippers that completely enclose the Bed Items, after they have been sprayed and naturally dried.

Shampoo hair everyday with dog flea shampoo with conditioner, they can hide, and lay eggs, in hair. Boil combs, hairbrushes.

If you do get an Exterminator; remember that you want to have the baseboards sprayed thoroughly and ALSO Have Them Use a FOGGER to get into the nooks and crannies.

Being DILIGENT is the Most Important Thing You Can Do.

I am a former nurse and know that this has been used by many people with really good results. Hope this helps you as well.

 
Answer this Question

May 7, 2010

Are there any natural remedies for getting rid of bed bugs, that really work?

By IsadoraD from Boston, MA

Answers

May 8, 20100 found this helpful

Bedbugs are difficult to get rid of on your own.Best to hire an exterminator to do it correctly. No natual remedies or cheap way to get rid of them.

 
May 11, 20100 found this helpful

Hi,
you can keep bed bugs at bay using tansy. Its an herb with many uses, one of which is repelling bugs. I have used it on mission trips various places to keep various creepy crawlys at bay, including bed bugs. I would suggest filling socks with tansy and putting them in your bed.

Sprinkle tansy leaves around the perimeters of all the rooms in your house, under all the cushions on couches and chairs, on your mattress etc. Then you must seal all the cracks, corners etc. This is how people dealt with them a hundred years ago before the discovery of DDT, bad as that was it did get rid of them. Then wash all your bedding, clothes in Hot water, I would boil anything that you could like sheets etc.

You can find a recipe for vinegar of the four thieves (an extremely effective all natural herbal insect repellent) at www.bulkherbstore.com, you can purchase tansy there as well. I am not affiliated with them in any way they are just a source for herbs for me. Spray this everywhere, including a diluted version on you, spray on bed posts, mattresses etc! Doing this will help, but you might still want to consider an exterminator as bed bugs are extremely hard to get rid of but it can be done.

Try this first and see what happens replacing tansy as often as necessary. I also recommend putting diatemaceous earth around all perimeters this kills all insects good and bad by cutting into their bodies bed bugs hide in walls and mattresses anywhere it is dark so using a mixture of tansy and the diatemaceous earth might be best in all the places named above. You can buy it for the the bulk herb store too. It is completely non toxic and harmless to humans. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 131 Feedbacks
August 27, 20120 found this helpful

Diatomaceous earth is a good pest repellent but it is not safe for human if it is not used properly, specially if it is inhaled, which would happen if Diatomaceous earth is put near a bed. Do check what is the form of diatomite you are using and take the necessary precautions.If you have a cat check also the type of diatomite used for its litter. Avoid the type of litter which produces a lot of dust when poured. Whatever type you are using avoid inhalation when pouring the litter.

To better understand why Diatomaceaous earth is not a gentle product of mother nature read the following from Wikipedia :

''Safety considerations

The absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves. The flux-calcined form contains a highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when working with it.

The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs and silicosis, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried diatomite generally contains crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form. A mask is necessary for working with either product.

The crystalline silica content of the dust's particulate is regulated in the United States by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of workers.''

 
Answer this Question

December 26, 2014

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

By Mary M.

Read More Answers

October 11, 2012

What are the steps to kill bedbugs? How do you clean the sheets with splattered blood and feces from bedbugs?

By Millie W.

Answers

October 12, 20120 found this helpful

I would wash the sheets. The blood stain mostly will remain in a faded condition. As for the bedbugs I would hire a professional exterminator. They are very difficult to remove with home remedies. You could also go to google.com and type in your request and see what answers come up.

 
October 12, 20120 found this helpful

I had a tenant who brought bedbugs into an apartment. I had great success using food grade Diatomaceous Earth, which can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot.

It is a white powder. Use a paintbrush to "paint" all your baseboards (where it meets the floor as well as the wall), the "feet" on your bed and where the wood frame meets the wall around the closet, windows and bedroom door. You may also want to "paint" the edges of your mattress.

The food grade type of Diatomaceous Earth is very safe. It works by dehydrating the bodies of the bedbugs. Works on roaches too!

 
Answer this Question

June 23, 2009

When traveling how do you prevent bed bugs from coming home with you?

By audrey vanwyk from Bedford, PA

Answers

June 24, 20090 found this helpful

Use the luggage rack or the desk to put your luggage on. Hang up your clothes. Don't put your clothes on the floor or on the bed for bedbugs to hide in and for you to accidentally pack them home with you.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 213 Feedbacks
June 24, 20090 found this helpful

Don't set your luggage on the floor. Put it on a chair, table or luggage rack if there is one, anything but floor and bed.

 
Answer this Question

June 3, 2019

What is the best way to get rid of bedbugs?


Read More Answers

September 20, 2014

Are bed bugs red? What should I do about it?

By Deborah from Westland

Read More Answers

October 5, 2013

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

By Irmi

Read More Answers

March 28, 2013

What do bed bug bites look like and how to I get rid of bedbugs?

By Kay B.

Read More Answers

September 16, 2014

How do I get rid of bed bugs myself? I'm not infested yet, I think my neighbor down stairs brought them here. I saw him bring in used furniture and now I'm suffering for it.

By Chris S

Answer this Question

Archives

ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.

September 14, 2010

How does one get rid of bed bugs apart from the wet soap trick?

 
Read More...

August 31, 2010
Click to read more ideas from older posts on ThriftyFun.
 
Read More...

July 16, 2010

What are some ways I can get rid of bedbugs?

 
Read More...
<< First< PreviousNext >
Categories
Home and Garden Pest Control Bedbugs & Dust MitesJuly 19, 2011
Pages
More
👒
Mother's Day Ideas!
🌻
Gardening
🐰
Easter Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-03-28 07:45:10 in 7 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Pest_Control/Other_Insects/Getting-Rid-of-Bed-Bugs.html