11+ Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs and Their Eggs Quickly

Do you have a lot of bed bugs in your house? Try finding out how to get rid of bed bugs.

Bed bugs or what are often called bed bugs are blood-sucking insects. They generally tolerate hot and humid environments down to low room temperatures of at least 7 degrees Celsius.

Bed bugs are flat oval shaped with reddish, brown, and dark yellow colors. They do not build nests like ants or termites but live in groups in dark and hidden places.

These insects are attracted to body heat, so bed bugs usually choose to hide around the bed and will crawl onto exposed skin to suck blood.

That’s why bed bug bite marks generally appear on open areas such as the face, neck, arms, hands, and feet.

When someone is bitten by bed bugs, an itchy and red rash may appear around 15-30 minutes later.

Some people even experience allergic reactions to bed bug bites and feces in the form of swelling, pain, and burning in the bite area.

However, there are also those who claim not to experience any reaction even though they are bitten.

You may want to find out how to get rid of bed bugs. No need to worry anymore, take a look at the following article and find a solution.

Difference between Bed Bugs and Mites

Before knowing how to get rid of bed bugs, you need to find out the difference between bed bugs and mites. Many people mistake mites and bed bugs.

At first glance, both seem similar, but bed bugs and mites are different insects. The striking difference is in size.

Mites are very small, around 0.2-0.mm, so they are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Meanwhile, bed bugs are as small as 5mm and we can see them directly.

Second, mites only feed on fragments of dead human skin cells. Meanwhile, bed bugs are parasites that feed by sucking human blood.

However, mites and bed bugs do not carry disease.

It’s just that their presence can be very annoying because mites and bed bug bites can trigger allergies and even infections.

Causes of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs come from various places, the majority of which are public places. Before getting rid of bed bugs, you need to know the cause of these insects so that they can be more effectively eradicated.

The following are the causes of bed bugs:

#01. Coming from Home or Another Location

Bedbugs can move from one place to another. This animal can hide in the folds of clothes, suitcases, or something like that.

Therefore, be careful when you are in public places such as:

• Cafe
• Kantor
• Public transportation
• Hospital/clinic
• Daycare
• Playground
• Library
• Student dormitory
• Hotel

There are many ways for fleas to move from one place to another, then spread and form colonies, including by:

When you sit on a chair in a public place

It could be that there are fleas in the chair that have slipped into your clothes.

When you get home and you use these clothes to sit on the bed or sofa at home, that’s when the fleas move and create a new colony at home.

When children play at their friends’ houses or play at daycare

It could be that when your child comes home, your child will carry lice eggs on their clothes. As a result, these eggs will form a new flea colony.

Apart from the 2 methods above, there are still many ways and causes for bed bugs to enter the house.

Therefore, for the sake of caution, always pay attention to the area where you sit when you are in a room or public place.

#02. Not washing bed sheets diligently

A common cause is rarely washing bed linen, while fleas really like dirty and damp places like this.

#03. Rarely dry the mattress

Fleas don’t like the heat of the sun. If the mattress is rarely dried in the sun and the windows or ventilation are rarely opened, this is the place they like best.

#04. Often piles dirty clothes on the mattress

Piling up dirty and slightly wet clothes can be the most comfortable place for fleas to live.

In addition, fleas also love the smell of human sweat.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Effectively?

Fortunately, you can get rid of bed bugs from inside the house with various methods. However, you need to remember that getting rid of bed bugs yourself is not an easy matter, so it requires extra time and effort.

You can try the following ways to get rid of bed bugs. Both with non-chemical and chemical approaches.

#01. Look for the source of the bed bugs

The first and most important thing to do as a way to get rid of bed bugs is to find the source of the bed bugs so you can take the next step. There are several signs that can indicate the presence of bed bugs.

Black spots in between or on top of the mattress may be bed bug droppings. Apart from that, also pay attention to whether there are traces of yellowish shells left around the asur.

Bed bugs usually emit a strong, musty odor when they live in large groups. It’s a good idea for you to check narrow areas and gaps around the mattress, such as the head of the mattress, between the pillows, and behind the wall frame.

A magnifying glass and flashlight can help you see small bed bugs.

#02. Use a Vacuum to Clean Bed Bugs

How to get rid of bed bugs with a vacuum cleaner is the quickest and easiest way. Just aim the tip of the vacuum at various hidden gaps around the mattress, including between cupboards, under the carpet, and even between electronic items.

After that, put the vacuum dirt in a plastic zip and throw it away. Don’t forget to wash all parts of the vacuum with hot water if possible.

#03. Isolate Objects in Contact

Bed bugs spread very easily, especially through objects that are easy to carry such as clothes, pillowcases, and dolls.

One way to get rid of bed bugs is to avoid moving objects that you suspect are contaminated with bed bugs.

Instead, put small items in plastic bags. You can dry it for several days to weeks until the bed bugs are completely dead before washing it.

#04. Wash blankets, bed sheets, and clothes in hot water

These insects die quite easily when exposed to high heat, namely at a temperature of around 46 degrees Celsius.

So washing clothes and mattresses properties with hot water can be an effective way to get rid of bed bugs.

As a way to get rid of bed bugs, Moms can use the highest temperature setting on the washing machine for 30 minutes and then set the highest temperature on the dryer for 30 minutes too.

However, if the washing machine does not have a temperature setting, Moms can use the previous method, namely drying the clothes in plastic under the hot sun.

Washing clothes manually in hot water can also be an alternative.

However, make sure that the fabric is heat resistant and will not be damaged if exposed to high temperatures.

#05. Using Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol has been proven as a way to eradicate bed bugs and their eggs, but unfortunately, this method is considered less efficient.

Researchers at Rutgers University, United States, tested two different products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol.

One product contains 50 percent alcohol and another 91 percent alcohol.

As a result, no product killed more than half of the bed bugs used.

Bed bugs can spread and reproduce quickly. The average female can lay up to 250 eggs in her lifetime,

So using a product that can only kill half of the population cannot solve the problem. In addition, this method only works if the alcohol is sprayed directly onto the tick.

Meanwhile, it will be very difficult to do this considering their small body size and they are generally in hidden places.

#06. Dry mattresses, pillows, bolsters, and blankets regularly

This can be a preventive measure and also an easy way to get rid of bed bugs. Dry mattresses, pillows, bolsters, and blankets periodically for several hours.

Apart from that, changing bed sheets and blankets regularly can also help prevent the presence of bed bugs.

#07. Essential Oils Effectively Kill Bed Bugs

A 2012 study claimed that flea control products containing essential oils, such as EcoRider and Bed Bug Patrol, could kill more than 90 percent of bed bugs in a petri dish.

However, killing bed bugs in a petri dish is certainly very different from getting rid of bed bugs at home.

Another study in the Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases found that high concentrations of oregano essential oil (40 percent and 99 percent) were successful in killing bed bugs in Petri dishes for more than 9 hours.

This research states that oregano essential oil has a stronger effect than traditional pesticides.

But again, experimental conditions in the laboratory and home conditions may not produce the same results.

#08. Use a special insecticide for bed bugs

The next way to get rid of bed bugs is to use insecticide.

Make sure the product you use is specifically formulated for bed bugs because regular pesticides will be less effective.

Below are some chemicals commonly used to exterminate bed bugs:

• Pyrethrins dan pyrethroids

This is the chemical most commonly used to kill bed bugs.

However, some bed bugs can become immune to it.

• Pyrroles

This compound can kill bed bugs by attacking their cells.

• Neonicotinoids

These chemicals will damage the insect’s nervous system.

This compound works more strongly, especially for bed bugs that are resistant to pyrethroids.

• Desiccant

Desiccant is a substance that damages the protective outer layer of insects.

Without this layer, the insects will dry out and die.

• Foggers

Foggers are also called insect bombs.

Unfortunately, foggers cannot enter small gaps.

Apart from that, foggers can also be toxic to humans if used incorrectly.

However, before trying it, make sure Moms check first whether the insecticide is safe for various types of fabric so that it doesn’t damage the surface of bed sheets, mattresses, and blankets.

#09. Store objects in a tightly closed place

If bed bugs are on items that cannot be washed, such as a pile of books and magazines, clean them and cover them completely with plastic or polythene.

This is important so that over time the fleas will die from running out of air and no more new fleas can enter.

If necessary, sprinkle silica gel in the storage area. Avoid moving items from a room infected with fleas to a clean room.

This method makes the lice spread even more.

#10. Repair Cracked Walls or Floors

Another way to get rid of bed bugs is to pay attention to the walls and floors of the house.

When there are cracks in the wall or floor, immediately repair them by patching them.

This aims to prevent fleas from having a hiding place in the house.

If you find fleas nesting in the cracks, don’t delay getting rid of them.

It’s best to use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the fleas completely.

#11. Use Vinegar to Kill Fleas

The next way to remove or eradicate stubborn bed bugs is to spray a vinegar solution. Vinegar is believed to be effective in eliminating fleas thanks to its strong acid content.

Not only is it effective, but vinegar is also a household ingredient that is easy to obtain. Following are the steps for making a vinegar solution to kill bed bugs.

• Mix vinegar and water in proportions of 50:50.
• Add the solution to water equipped with a sprayer.
• Shake the solution until completely mixed.
• The vinegar solution is ready to use to get rid of fleas.

#12. Seek Professional Help

Certain factors can make bed bugs more difficult to eradicate.

If you experience problems or have tried several methods to get rid of bed bugs above but the bed bugs don’t go away, it’s a good idea to consider using professional services.

They usually have insecticides and treatments that can suit your home conditions.

This includes using products that are safe for mattresses, furniture, and most importantly non-toxic.

Those are some ways to get rid of bed bugs that you can do. Don’t let these fleas disturb your comfort or your free lifestyle.