Unfortunately any household can be infested with bed bugs at any time. No one really knows what has caused the massive increase in bed bugs and it is not only people with less than clean homes who are suffering at the hands of these blood sucking beasties.

Bed bug extermination can be far from an easy task, however, if you involve pest control experts it can also be a very costly task the running into 1000s of dollars.

It is possible to exterminate bed bugs yourself which although it will cost you in time and patience if successful, it can save you that large wad of cash.

So here is how to go about bed bug extermination the DIY way!

There are a number of methods of bed bug extermination you might want to consider but which ever you choose the first vital step is to clear and clean the infested room from top to bottom. Remove all bed linen, clothing and clutter. Wash everything possible on a hot cycle in the washing machine – something like Kleen Free Naturally can be added to your wash. Anything which cannot be washed can be put into a tumble dryer for ten minutes at a hot setting. One very important tip – anything which you are removing from the room should be sealed in a plastic bag to prevent the spread of bed bugs throughout the house. It is also important to check in the most obscure places for example lamp shades, clocks, picture frames, even smoke alarms – these pests can travel quite a distance! That done you can now decide how to tackle the bed bugs.

Here are your DIY bed bug extermination options:-

1. Insecticides or Pesticides. This is an option but unless you are 100% sure of how to use these chemicals safely it is not one which is advisable. These chemicals are toxic and could be very harmful to your health and that anyone else living in your house – including your pets. Another down side to such treatment is that bed bugs have become immune to the effects of quite a lot of these chemicals so whilst they may make you and your family ill the bed bugs may survive to suck your blood.

2. Vacuum cleaner and steam cleaner combination. This method although very laborious does work. Firstly you will have to use the vacuum cleaner on all the affected surfaces e.g. mattress, bed frame, box spring, curtains, carpets and other soft furnishings. The various tools on the vacuum cleaner are fantastic for getting into cracks and crevices. This should remove bugs, larvae and eggs. Once this is complete you can begin the whole process again with your steam cleaner. This part can take quite some time because to be truly effective the nozzle must be placed directly onto the surface and moved over it at a rate of around 30cm very 10-15 seconds. If done properly this should successfully exterminate any remaining bugs at all stages of growth.

It is worth mentioning that you will need a steam cleaning machine which can produce a high temperature (around 45oC is required) and a low vapour output so that the surfaces you are treating do not end up really wet.

The big advantage with this method is that the heat will actually kill the eggs too. Insecticides cannot penetrate the outer casing which means these chemicals have to be sprayed more than once to ensure an effective bed bug extermination.

3. A vacuum cleaner and a non toxic bed bug spray. Again the use of the vacuum cleaner is key to getting rid of as many bed bugs, larvae and eggs as possible. Take extra care in the creases and wrinkles in the mattress and around buttons of soft furnishings. (Make sure that any waste from your vacuum cleaner is bagged and sealed tightly immediately after you finish.) Non toxic bed bug sprays can be very effective at bed bug extermination whilst eliminating the risks of using insecticides. Spray all the affected areas according to the manufacturers instructions.

There are a quite a few of these on the market a couple of recommendations would be a product called Eco Friendly Living and another called Bed Bug Patrol.

Author Bio: Exterminating Bed Bugs yourself can save you a lot of money but can cost you a lot of time. Learn how you can carry out your own successful bed bug extermination

Category: Home Management
Keywords: bed bugs,extermination,exterminating