Over the years, bedbugs have proven to be one of the more challenging pests to deal with in many households across Australia. These bugs are active at night and are known to feed on human blood while hiding in mattresses, furniture, and even cracks in the walls throughout the day. If not contained in time, these bugs will not only turn out to be irritating and cause skin issues, but they can go as far as having humans lose sleep. If you are looking for ways to get rid of these blood sucking bugs, or you are looking for methods that will specifically target prevention, you are in the right place as this article focuses on the right methods to effectively kill bedbugs easily in your Australian home.
Signs of a bed bug infestation
Before beginning treatment, it’s essential to identify the signs of a bed bug infestation. Here’s what to look for:
Bite marks on skin: A common characteristic of bedbugs is that their bites are usually small, round and red at the centre, and appear on the skin in clumps or as a line where skin is kept exposed.
Blood stains on sheets: In the presence of stale bedbugs, blood stains tend to appear, these stains are noticeably reddish brown
Dark spots and droppings: Due to their peculiar and dark red colour, bugs can be commonly found on beds, mattresses, and other materials, often leaving their droppings on the areas where they get squished.
Shed skins and eggs: These pale yellow fangs could easily be missed as they are tiny but if they are not present in an area that has a high bedbug population, that might just be a worrying sign as bedbugs when growing often leave behind their fangs alongside their eggs which are also tiny and white.
Musty odour: In substantial ingrowths, bed bugs have been known to exude a sweetish, musty odour which can be felt in the surrounding of the infested sites.
If you observe these signs, it’s time to take action to eliminate bed bugs from your home.
How to kill bed bugs: Effective strategies
Step 1: Lets Start With A Thorough Clean
Cleaning is one of the most important steps when dealing with a bed bug problem. This is how one would go about it:
Wash and dry linens and clothing: It is important to note that bedding, linens, curtains, and clothes should preferably be put in a washing machine and the highest water setting should be adjusted. On washing, they should be dried using a dryer and a high heat setting for not less than 30 minutes. This will ensure that there are dead bedbugs and their eggs.
Vacuum thoroughly: High suction vacuum machines should be used to vacuum mattresses, bed frames, carpets and cuts and any infested points. The moment vacuuming is completed; there is need to enclose the vacuum bag in a plastic wrapper and throw it away in the open.
Reducing clutter: Bedbugs are often located in a cluttered surrounding that is thick enough to conceal them; thus, get rid of all the unnecessary things in bedrooms and other affected areas to eliminate potential breeding grounds.
Step 2: Use heat treatment to kill bed bugs
Heat can be used as a practicing killer of bed bugs and their eggs at any life stage. Here’s how bed bugs can be killed effectively:
Professional heat treatments: Pest control offers professional heat treatments of entire rooms by heating it to temperatures of about 45 degrees Celsius or more. This method is also very effective and often leads to total eradication of bed bugs.
Steam cleaning: One can also try DIY methods of extinguishing the pests by spraying steam on mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and other places where bed bugs hide. However, the steam temperature must be at least 100 degrees Celsius so as to kill the bugs. Move the steam nozzle back and forth across the surfaces to increase the ratio of insects that are killed.
Step 3: Consider chemical treatments if needed
If heat treatment and natural methods do not work, then one should try chemical treatments in order to get rid of the bed bugs. Always follow product instructions for better use and for safer usage of chemicals:
Bed bug-specific insecticides: A bed bug specific insecticide might be available for mattresses, furniture, and room perimeters as only a little care should be required around pets and kids.
Diatomaceous earth: This is a natural powder that can be applied in the areas where bed bugs are present in order to allow the spiders to dehydrate then die after few days. Use food grade diatomaceous and put it on the edges, fissures and the areas which bed bugs inhabit. Inhalation of the powder should be avoided as it can be very harmful to the lungs.
Step 4: Call a professional pest control service
In case of larger infestations or if the DIY approaches do not work, then it is better to contact professional pest control service.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): There are specialists in bed bugs extermination who are licensed and they use IPM techniques which are a blend of chemical and non-chemical approaches. This method has been proven to be safe, effective and does not harm the environment.
Fumigation: In advanced cases, fumigation become the last resort to get rid of bed bugs that have concealed themselves in the challenging to reach areas. In this technique, the concerned room is vacated completely and pesticides are used to eradicate the bed bugs. Fumigation is a specialized job and requires a license because it involves usage of pesticides and strict safety measures should be observed.
Preventive steps
Once you have gotten rid of bed bugs in your house, it is time to take more steps to prevent it from being infested again.
Inspect second-hand furniture: Check each article of furniture, bedding and clothing for bed bug signs individually prior to letting that into your home if you buy used items.
Use mattress encasements: Protective covers for the bed and box spring greatly cut down on the number of nooks and crannies that allow the bugs to hide. This makes future cases easier to discover and control.
Be vigilant when travelling: Hotels, hostels, guest houses have a high tendency of having bed bugs so check where you will be sleeping for possible traces of bed bugs and your bags should never touch the floor when there is already been infested clothing. When back to your house, always wash and dry high heat the clothes.
Why addressing bed bugs quickly is essential
Due to the tenacity exhibited by bed bugs it is advisable to always treat them when all traces have been found. A doing so makes it possible to contain the number of the bugs since bed bugs are known to multiply quite rapidly within a short span of time. Due to their ability to go without feeding for long durations especially in cold environments which promote their resilience, it is prudent to see experts whenever there are indications so as to avoid discomfort, risk your domestic unit and spending a lot of money seeking professional remedies.
Conclusion
A bed bug infestation can be somewhat difficult and stressful to handle. However, if the right techniques to eliminate the pests are used, then complete elimination is possible. Regular cleaning, solving the problem with targeted heat approaches, the applying of chemicals, and serious cases requiring professional help will ensure that all aspects are covered. Always include protective measures in order to safeguard your house against future attacks. Remaining vigilant and acting in time gives you the ability to take your house back, and peace of mind with respect to the pests that plagued you in the first place.
