Homeowners usually don’t think of natural ways to get rid of bed bugs, but there’s a good reason why you should consider it the next time you’re faced with these sleep invaders.
For one, it’s also where you sleep, so spray pesticides and harsh chemicals are out of the question if you want to keep your mattress intact for a good night’s sleep. Second, these are not the best ways to get rid of bed bugs anyway. Read on to learn more about how to kill bed bugs naturally and with minimal effort (for the most part).
Keep Your Home Clean
Although unsanitary conditions aren’t the only thing causing bed bugs to flock to your mattress, they certainly don’t help. Keeping your home consistently clean by vacuuming, wiping down the dust, doing the laundry, and free of clutter actually keeps several types of pests at bay, not just bed bugs.
In the specific case of bed bugs, wash the bed sheets frequently, including the pillow cases and bed skirt. Or, change them out often with new, clean sheets that have been washed at least once since its purchase.
Unfortunately, bed bugs are not partial to mattresses; they have been just as widely found in sofas, cushions, and essentially anything covered in fabric. For the things where washing is either impossible or too labor-intensive, vacuum them down with a nozzle head attached to a high-powered vacuum (even better if it’s the kind specialized for fabric). Then consider following the next step: covering it in a plastic sheath.
Cover It All in Plastic
This next tip takes the fewest number of steps to get rid of bed bugs permanently. Although bed bugs are able to penetrate through most types of fabric, plastic is one material that they cannot pierce through. In the event that you find bed bugs around your bed or living room furniture, purchase a plastic cover to permanently seal bed bug entry to the surface. Of course, this should be done after an existing infestation has been cleaned out as a preventative measure. Eventually, the bed bugs will realize there is a dead end and either die or move on.
Out with the Old, in with the New
This last tip is probably the easiest in terms of how to get rid of bed bugs, but to put it simply, throw out whatever has been infested and get new stuff to replace it. It can be expensive and it may not even get rid of the bed bugs entirely if the issue is stemming from overall uncleanliness in the home. But if this isn’t the case and you’re not into the idea of sleeping on a layer of plastic, save yourself the trouble and buy a new mattress, sofa, or whatever you need to ensure in the fullest sense possible that the bed bugs are gone.
For more assistance on how to kill bed bugs naturally, contact a professional pest exterminator who may help you get a better idea on natural pest control methods against bed bugs.