How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs And Easy Ways to Remove the Bite Marks From Your Skin

Now that you have confirmed that your home has been invaded by bed bugs, you are looking for methods on how to get rid of bed bugs. Deciding to exterminate bed bugs is a rather complicated task and you are about to face some challenges. We all know that hiring a professional exterminator can cost much and that getting the task done with your own hands can help save your budget.

Before anything else, you must understand that whatever size of infestation that you have, maybe the best thing that you can do is to control those bed bugs and not really full extermination. Complete extermination can be a real difficult problem even for professionals.

So, now let’s try to see how to get rid of bed bugs using do it yourself (DIY) tools. Sometimes, a combination of these methods can be necessary in order to get maximum control of the pests.

Preparation

Before starting to get rid of bed bugs at home, you need to prepare some things.

First, have a thorough inspection of your home using flashlights and magnifying glasses in dark places where they could possibly hide. Bear in mind that probable hiding places are furniture, drapes, bedding, picture frame, carpet edges and appliances.

Check all your beds. Look under your mattresses and check if there are places where bed bugs can crawl into like rips. Bed boards with wooden planks are also favorite hangout places for these pests. Also check your box spring.

Clean, clean and clean again. Use the vacuum cleaner in cleaning possible hiding places. Vacuuming can help rid of eggs and adult bugs. After vacuuming, remove the vacuum bag and place it directly into a plastic bag. Seal the bag and dispose it immediately.

Reduce the clutter in your home so that these pests will have lesser places to go.

Clothes and stuffed animals must be placed into sealed plastic bags. Clothes must be cleaned or washed and dried at temperatures of over 120 degrees for 30 minutes in order to kill eggs and adult bugs. Then, place the clothes in sealed bags to avoid re-infestation.

Extermination

Now, you are ready to remove those bed bugs.

come in various forms such as sprays and should be sprayed directly into the bed bugs and in places where they are possibly hiding. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure safety.

There are natural bed bug killers which are not harmful to pets and children such as . However, be sure that you have the correct type since there are products which are meant for swimming pool filters.

Use a barrier tape in the legs of the bed or along the bottom of a wooden bed. The tape prevents the bugs to go anywhere beyond that place. The tape could leave adhesive residue on wood and if you are not in favor of this, use a utility tape prior to applying the barrier tape.

When you have done all these steps on how to get rid of bed bugs, you may then place mattress encasements before putting on bed sheets. Be sure to leave the encasement for up to 2 years since bed bugs can survive 18 months without food.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bug Bites on Skin

You’ll know that your home is infested with bed bugs because you or any family member has bed bug bites. Of course you would like to take some steps like the ones listed above, on how to get rid of the bed bugs. Another concern could be how to get rid of bed bug bites on skin.

Bed bug bites typically go away without treatment. However, if you experience itchy skin on the bite site, you may use an or pill like Diphenhydramine. Other people also use a hot washcloth directly on the bite site in order to feel relief from itch.

As much as possible, avoid scratching the skin as this can trigger skin breakdown and possible bacterial skin infection. Medical treatment isn’t always necessary on how to get rid of bed bug bites on skin. However, if needed, the treatment is usually used for achieving relief from symptoms of bed bug bites.

In rare situations, a secondary skin infection or allergic reaction may occur and for these cases, evaluation from a health professional is required. People can also ask for professional help if they aren’t sure of the cause of skin lesions.

As mentioned above, OTC pills and creams can be helpful in relieving the itch that comes with bed bug bites. For some people, corticosteroid creams can also give some people relief.

In case a secondary bacterial skin infection occurs, an antibiotic cream or tablet may be prescribed by a health professional.

In rare cases of systemic allergic reactions, some injections like antihistamine, epinephrine and corticosteroid may be given.

You may need to go for a follow-up check up with a health professional if an allergic reaction develops in order to observe your progress after developing a secondary skin infection.

Prevention

The best way on how to get rid of bed bug bites on skin is to prevent it. Here are some ways in order to avoid bed bug infestations.

When on travel, check you hotel room especially the sleeping areas for bed bugs. You want to pay special attention to mattresses, furniture and bedding.

Inspect thoroughly bedding and furniture items before bringing them home.

Always keep your suitcases closed whenever they aren’t in use and avoid placing them on the floor when traveling.

When you suspect an infestation, here are some things to do to confirm their presence.

Check your mattress and sleeping area for the presence of bed bugs. Signs of them include small white eggs, blood smears or reddish colored fecal matter.

You can also place adhesive traps near the bed in order to capture bed bugs.

After confirming their presence, call a licensed pest control service to exterminate the bed bugs.

There are also some steps to control bed bugs and bed bug bites yourself. Here are some of them.

Put the legs of the bed in containers with oil or water to avoid bed bugs from going into the bed. Make sure the sheets and blankets do not touch the floor.

Wear pajamas to limit bed bug bites.

Reduce clutter in your room to lessen their hiding places and seal cracks and holes.

Vacuum everything inside your room including possible areas where they might breed and hide.

Infested bedding items and clothes must be placed in dryers at more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes to kill eggs and adult bugs.