How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Fast

Bed bugs have returned to the US with a vengeance, decades after the pests were believed to have been eliminated in the sixties with the widespread use of the powerful pesticide DDT. Some of the worst hit US cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, DC, urban centers which are not only densely populated but also see large numbers of visitors from all over the world. But the problem is not only confined to the US, but is also starting to spread worldwide. It was recently reported that there was a growing number of bedbug infestations in London as well as in Australia.

How can you tell if you have a bed bug infestation in your home? The simplest way is to look for the bugs’ traces, such as their fecal matter, egg cases or reddish streaks on your beddings which may indicate crushed bugs. You can also try to look for crevices in your mattress as well as in carpets, furniture and curtains where the bugs may be hiding. As a last resort, you can take a flashlight to bed with you, and when you feel you are being bitten, try to catch sight of the bugs before they scurry away.

If you believe your home is infested with bedbugs or just want to avoid an infestation, you can try the following preventive measures.

• Use a mattress encasement to seal your mattress and trap any bed bugs inside as well as prevent new bugs from invading your bed.
• Launder your beddings and your clothes on the highest heat settings possible, since heat kills the pests.
• Put used clothes into a resealable laundry bag until they will be washed to prevent the bed bugs from escaping.
• Push your bed away from the wall as well as any curtains or other furniture where bed bugs can get to it, Place bed bug traps on the legs of your bed to prevent them from getting on your bed as well as, hopefully, killing any bugs that might already be there.