Bed bugs do it yourself control

Although over-the-counter pesticide products that have bed bug control written on the label can be found on store shelves, they aren’t generally recommended. Performance of these products under actual field conditions isn’t known. The best bet is to hiring a licensed professional pesticide applicator with experience in treating bed bugs.Once professional treatment has occurred,Residents do have an important role to play when their homes are infested with bed bugs.

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pest problems to eradicate quickly. By far, the best solution for bed bugs is to hire a pest control company with experience successfully controlling bed bugs. Unfortunately, this can be expensive and beyond the means of many people. Not being able to afford to hire a professional, and want to attempt do-it-yourself bed bug control, there are some guide to follow. With diligence and patience and some hard work, there is a fighting chance of getting rid of bed bugs.

In buildings, apartments or condominiums, it’s best to alert the property manager. A coordinated bed bug control effort using a pest control company is generally needed in such situations. Bed bugs readily move from apartment to apartment, with many people unaware that they have a problem. If one apartment is infested, adjoining units should be assumed to be infested unless shown otherwise through inspection or monitoring by a bed bug K9. Simply asking tenants whether they have bed bugs is not enough. In one recent study only half of residents in a large apartment with bed bugs knew or admitted to bed bug problem.

Pesticides alone are not the answer to bed bugs. Most of the commonly used pesticides today, including professional products and consumer products advertised for control of bed bugs, are at best moderately effective at controlling these pests. Pesticides must be used with care for safety and with attention to proper application to work well. Aerosol “bug bombs” or “fumigators” are also mostly ineffective in eliminating bed bugs. Aerosol insecticides mainly kill insects that are exposed, and out of their hiding places, not those hidden behind baseboards, in cracks and crevices of the bed, under carpet edging and in walls.

Steps for do-it-yourself bed bug control

Determine which rooms are infested. Bedrooms are the principal locations for bed bugs; however, any room where people sleep or rest in the home may provide harborage for bed bugs. Living rooms with sofas and sofa beds are the next most common sites for bed bugs. Typically an infestation starts in one room and spreads slowly to other places where people sleep. Finding and treat for bed bugs the easier it will be to get rid of them. Wait too long and bed bugs may be found throughout the home or business office building.

It’s generally unnecessary to throw away beds or bedding. It is expensive to replace bedding, and chances are that any new mattresses, box springs or beds you bring into the home will quickly become re-infested. The money to replace a bed or mattress might better be spent on hiring a professional.

Create a safe area to sleep.

This is critical because staying in a bed will reduce the risk of bed bugs spreading throughout the home. If you move to another room to sleep, the bed bugs will eventually follow. Then you’ll have bed bugs in multiple rooms.

Make your bed a safe place to sleep by:

Stripping and vacuuming the mattresses and box springs, and encasing them. Double bag your bedding and wash in hot water and dry for at least 60 minutes . After vacuuming suspected bed bugs from the bed, take your vacuum cleaner outdoors and remove and discard the bag. Purchase a good quality set of bed-bug-proof encasements for mattresses and box springs. Bed bug-proof encasements are fabric sacks into which you slide your mattress or box springs. The zippers on bed bug encasements are designed to be tight enough to prevent even the smallest life stages of the bed bugs from escaping. Also, good bed bug-proof encasements are woven to prevent bed bugs from biting the through the encasement. A good encasement will trap all bed bugs in the mattress and box spring inside, and will be smooth on the outside, providing few places for bed bugs to hide.

Keep the Bed bug Infestation from Spreading

Anything removed from the room should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and treated.
Items that cannot be treated should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and left for an extended period of time to ensure any active bugs are dead.

Empty the vacuum after each use.

Seal the bag and throw it out in an outdoor trash container.
Don’t discard furniture if you can eliminate the bed bugs from it.
If furniture cannot be salvaged, discard it responsibly. Destroy it so someone else won’t be tempted to bring it into their home. For example:
Rip covers and remove stuffing from furniture items.
Use spray paint to mark furniture with “Bed Bugs.”
Take steps to have infested items picked up as soon as possible by the garbage collection service.

Prepare to Treatment for Bed bugs

Jumping straight into control is tempting, but won’t work. Preparing for treatment is essential to getting successful control. It will also help by making it easier for monitoring for bed bugs that haven’t been completely eliminated. This preparation should be conducted whether treatmented by a home or business owner or hiring a professional.

Kill the Bed Bugs

Killing all bed bugs on your bed frame and headboard. Normally this would be done by a pest control professional. Approximately 80% of all bed bugs in the typical infestation are located on the mattress, box spring and bed frame. You’ve encased the mattress and box spring and taken care of that problem. Make sure the bed frame is bed bug free. Vacuuming alone won’t do this. Vacuuming can remove many bed bug adults and nymphs, but it isn’t very good at removing eggs. For this job insecticide sprays and possibly dusts to treat every crevice and void in the bed. For insecticide spray and dust options. Remember that insecticides can be hazardous Read and follow label directions. Read the whole label before spraying or dusting. The label directions are the law and failure to follow the label not only puts the family at risk, it is against the law. Homemade sprays, by the way, are usually less safe than commercial insecticides. Stick with the legal stuff.

Bed bug protected bed after the process of treating the bed

A bed that has been treated, encased and isolated from the rest of the room with Climbup Interceptor cups is a safe place to sleep if they are not carried by the person who is sleeping on the bed.interceptors under all feet of the bed frame to keep bed bugs off. Interceptors are special platforms or cups that are purchased to prevent bed bugs from climbing on to the bed. An interceptor can be as simple as a sticky card placed under a bed post. Better are one of the commercial pitfall traps made specifically for this purpose.

Treat other areas of the home or building

This is perhaps the most challenging part of do-it-yourself bed bug control. If an infestation is early there might not be a need to do anything more than treat and isolate the bed. But if an infestation has spread to other parts of the home, bed isolation may not be good enough. Here is where professional pest control for bed bugs help may be needed.

Still determined to do-it-yourself pest control?

Here are some tips that may improve your chances of success:

Prepare the room by separating treated from untreated furniture. This will involve moving all your furniture to one side of the infested room. The process is important because if you treat half of the items in a room and leave other areas untreated, bed bugs may return to the previously treated areas from untreated sites. Take all clothes from drawers, infested closets, etc. and bag them in clear plastic bags are easier to see where things are. Also bag all personal items for example toys, papers, books, electronics, CDs, or anything that could serve as a hiding place for bed bugs and set them aside until they can be carefully treated, cleaned or inspected.

Make sure the method selected is safe, effective and legal.

Consider non-chemical methods of killing bed bugs. Some will be more useful than others.

Heat treatment using a clothes dryer on high heat, black plastic bags in the sun. Pest control professionals have other methods that are not suitable for non-trained individuals to use.

Cold treatment can be successful in the home environment if the freezer is set to 0○ F. You must leave the items in the freezer at that temperature for four days. Reducing the numbers of bugs with these and other non-chemical methods is helpful, but is unlikely to entirely eliminate the infestation.

Systematically treat the room, all cracks and crevices around windows, outlets, blinds, pictures, posters and clocks on walls, baseboards, under edges of carpets and any other crevices or void areas in the room. Remember that immature bed bugs are very tiny. Dozens of bed bugs can hide in a recessed screw hole in a bed frame or dresser. Therefore it’s important that no hiding place be overlooked. Treatment can include vacuuming, but should not be limited to vacuuming only. Vacuums do not remove eggs, and will likely not remove all bed bugs from deeply infested cracks and crevices. Vacuums can remove many bed bugs from mattresses and the exterior of box springs. Sticky tape is another method of picking up bed bugs from furniture, walls, etc.

Examine and treat all furniture: beds, bed frames, dressers, chairs, couches, night stands, etc. following the same procedures. As a piece is treated it can be returned to the parts of the room that have been treated. Note that furniture should be taken apart, drawers and cushions removed in order to inspect and treat every nook and cranny. When treating upholstered furniture, pay attention to each welt, button and fold. stuffed furniture that is infested and too difficult to treat may be discarded. After spraying, return each article of furniture to the part of the room that has been treated. Do not reintroduce any furniture or other items to the treated room until they have been thoroughly cleaned, inspected or treated.

Treat or isolate bagged items:

For washable items research shows that dry cleaning, washing in hot water for 30 minutes, or tumble drying for 60 minutes on high will kill all stages of bed bugs. Non-washables are a little trickier. Items that aren’t needed for a while can just be stored. It takes 2-5 months to kill bed bugs by isolating them in bags,the warmer the temperature, the shorter the survival time for starving bed bugs. Heating bags by placing in direct sunlight is one of the most effective methods during the warm summer months. Seven pounds of items placed in clear bags in direct sunlight on a 95 degree day will get hot enough to kill all bed bug life stages in one afternoon. Also, placing bagged items in a chest freezer (0 degrees F) for 8-10 hours is lethal for bed bugs and their eggs.

Insecticices application treatments:

Select and use insecticides safely. There are no magic sprays that kill bed bugs very well. Most commercial insecticides will kill bed bugs if applied carefully and directly to the insects and their hiding places. An exception is “Bug bombs”, or aerosol foggers. Foggers are mostly ineffective in controlling bed bugs. Because bed bugs hide in crevices and voids where aerosols do not penetrate, they are able to avoid contact with these insecticides. Their use is not recommended.

SEATTLE PEST CONTROL COMPANIES REVIEWS ON BED BUGS, RATS, ANTS, SPIDERS SUPPLIES IN STORES

Pest control professionals across the city of Seattle and around, Read and respond to unbiased customer reviews affiliated with an exterminator and recommendations about finding out about exterminators and local pest control companies in the Seattle area. Research the top ratings and make a more informed decisions. Submit opinions and help others.

Find an exterminator local Seattle Neighborhoods – Getting Reviews and pest control service information

A survey done by seattle exterminators categorized by towns in the city of seattle included pest control information and frequently asked questions for Home and business owners in:

Admiral, Alki, Arbor Heights, Atlantic, Ballard, Beacon Hill, Belltown, Bitter Lake, Blue Ridge, Brighton, Broadview, Bryant, Capitol Hill, Central District, Columbia City, Cottage Grove, Crown Hill, Denny-Blaine, Denny Triangle, Downtown, Eastlake, Fairmount Park, Fauntleroy, First Hill, Fremont, Gatewood, Genesee, Georgetown, Greenlake, Greenwood, Haller Lake, Hawthorne Hills, High Point, Highland Park, Hillman City, Industrial District, Interbay, International District, Junction, Laurelhurst, Leschi, Licton Springs, Lower Queen Anne, Loyal Heights, Madison Park, Madison Valley, Madrona, Magnolia, Mapleleaf, Montlake, Mount Baker, North Beach, Northgate, Olympic Hills, Olympic Manor, Phinney Ridge, Pigeon Point, Pinehurst, Pioneer Square, Portage Bay, Queen Anne, Rainier Beach, Ravenna, Riverview, Roosevelt, Roxhill, Sand Point, Seaview, Seward Park, Shorewood, Snake Hill, SoDo, South Lake Union, South Park, Sunset Hill, University District, Victory Heights, View Ridge, Wallingford, Washington Park, Waterfront, Wedgwood, Westlake, Westwood, White Center, Windermere, and Youngstown of Seattle.

Natural DIY Pest Control for Homes

Mice and insects like Bed bugs, ants and mosquitoes can spread disease, eat food, damage belongings and lower property value. To keep homes and yard safe from pests, but don’t want to spray a bunch of dangerous insecticides on belongings or pay huge exterminator fees.There are numerous organic materials and safe procedures  utilized to perform natural pest control.

Pest Prevention awarness

The best way to control pests is to prevent them from ever entering the property. Insects, bed bugs and mice can do damage even after early detection, so it’s best to play it safe.

Home and business property Prevention from all pests

Pest control should be on minds of property owners. At an inspection of a potential purchase, look out for signs of mice or insect problems like holes in the walls or droppings in corners. Ask the realtor or people living in the area what kind of pests are normally expected. A heads up on what pests might be dealt with, the easier it is to manage control the pests. Usually, home pest control begins in the kitchen. Insects and mice are attracted to food. The washington state department of agriculture advises sealing snacks in airtight containers, keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator and keep jars like honey in plastic bags to create an extra layer of protection.

Clean spills immediately, Inspect the preparation and dining areas after every meal to make sure there aren’t any crumbs or spilled liquids. Insects like fruit flies love dirty dishes. if you can’t get to cleaning plates and bowls right away, make sure they are submerged in soapy water. It’s also beneficial to routinely take out the garbage.

Some insects like moths, bedbugs and mites are attracted to dust and dirty or musty fabrics. Keep bedspreads, clothes and furniture safe, vacuum regularly and launder fabrics as often as possible. Regularly clean, dusting try spraying surfaces with organic cinnamon oil to keep mites away.

Seal up entry points and keep an eye on common entrance points like heating vents. One thing to keep in mind is that certain plants deter insects. By keeping basil by windows, drives away flies. Meanwhile, catnip is a natural mosquito repellent. Check the perimeter of homes and commercial buildings for standing water that may attract mosquitos and other pests.

Pet Pest Prevention and control

Pet owners should use extra precaution to keep homes pest-free. Cats and dogs may attract ticks, fleas or tiny insects. The best way to avoid this is to keep pets as clean and healthy as possible.

It’s beneficial to give pets a baths regularly. Consistently vacuuming any area in which they make contact. Some people may try to keep their cats and dogs off of furniture, but no matter how well-behaved animals might be, it’s a good idea to clean fabric surfaces anyway just to be safe.

Also be sure to inspect the pets for signs of insect infestation. Keep abreast of their general health, and consult a vet notice of scratching more than normal or develop rashes. A regular quick inspection for pests like ticks after taking your dog outside, especially after a walk through a wooded area.

Keeping  outdoor property well-maintained and clean is always a pest control best practice. It’s harder for ticks to hide in short grass and you don’t want your cats or dogs running through decaying plants. HGTV suggests adding cedar chips to your landscaping as an organic way to keep your pets and home pest-free.

Seattle Pest Control Practices

Prevention can stop the vast majority of insects and rodents, but problems may still occur. A plan in place as soon as notice of signs Bed bugs, rats, ants, flies or spiders in your home. Consult with a pest control profession on what options are available.

Remove Pests like a professional exterminator

Cockroaches in a kitchen or ants walking through homes or commercial business property buildings, priority is to eliminate the pests  natural instinct might be to squish the bug, instead keep a safe organic chemical spray handy. Use store-bought or make it yourself products after some research.

Suspicion of mites, fleas or other pests in carpet, vacuum as soon as possible. Vet Info suggests some insects may be too persistent for vacuuming alone. When it comes to fleas, first salt carpet and then vacuum. The salt is a natural poison, but only for  some adult insects. Keep pets away from salted carpets to avoid irritation.

Dust mites, bed bugs and other pests found in sheets can be killed by washing them in hot water. bed bugs require extra steps because they spread and multiple so quickly.

Locate Pest Entry Point

Sometimes finding where pests got in, can be a simple matter of following ants back to their point of origin, but it’s usually a bit more difficult. Inspect rooms and examine corners and cabinets for hidden holes.

Mice don’t need a very large hole to squeeze into homes or buildings. Dime sized gaps, plug them up with steel wool or some other strong, flexible material that mice can’t chew through.

After finding entry point, use silicone caulk to cover any cracks or crevices that might be the weak link in a building pest control defenses.

Safeguard Against Future Invasions

After dealing with current pests and taking care of entry points, it’s time to clean. Wash or reorganize areas that insects or mouse problems to eliminate the causes of the invasion and prevent the problem from growing worse.

Wash surfaces with safe organic liquids that deter pest visits. For example, Earthwise says citrus prevents spiders in kitchens and vinegar eliminates scent trails ants use to find their way back to nests. The best way to prevent microscopic or particularly annoying pests from infesting fabrics or furniture is to invest in plastic coverings.

Safe Products for Organic Pest Control

When it comes to safe pest control options, find organic solutions that eliminate insects without proving a danger to pets or family.

Chemicals

There are organic compounds and chemicals that drive pests away from homes and kill current intruders. Most options are very affordable:

Boric Acid – Powders that contain the element boron like boric acid or borax are traditionally used in natural laundry detergents. When insects come into contact with boric acid, it dehydrates them by eroding the waxy coating on their skin, this is particularly true of roaches.

While the chemical is organic, it could irritate humans or pets. The best way to use boric acid for pest control is to use it on entrances between major appliances or other areas pets and family members can’t reach. 

Diatomaceous Earth – Another product that uses miniature sharp edges to dehydrate insects. This organic product is made from fossilized prehistoric crustaceans and it is a very versatile pest control option. sprinkle it on garden soil where pests are detected. For the health and well-being of  families and pets, find the food-grade variety and store it away from children.

Many plants can repel insects.

Plants and Herbs – Many plants in gardens can repel insects. Raise plants or purchase them at  local grocery store. Besides basil, catnip and citrus, there are many other natural solutions. Lavender helps control fleas, flies, mosquitoes and moths and use around the home provides a very pleasant scent. Lemongrass has also been found to deter mosquitos because it contains natural citronella. For more mosquito control, try lemon thyme, rosemary or mint, according to the pinterest.

Growing pest-repellent plants around windows or use their oils mixed with water in spray bottles to wipe down counters or spray bugs directly. Most plant oil mixtures are safe to use on plants in gardens or around pets.

Kitchen Cabinet Options – There are many other natural solutions, To kill roaches, spray of soapy water, eliminate spider mites with a mixture of water and crystal salt. Cayenne pepper works well against ants, onion and garlic spray to kill a number of insects.

Traps and decoys as deterrants

Besides the organic chemical options, certain traps and decoys in homes or Commercial business buildings to control pests.

Fruit Fly Trap – Fruit flies using vinegar, dishwashing fluid and water. Just fill a container three quarters full with vinegar, include a few drops of dish soap and fill the rest with water.

An Owl Box – Attach an owl box to the roof or a nearby tree. It’s a bird feeder specifically designed to attract owls that will eat small rodents around properties. Owls don’t bother gardens and the constant presence of a predator will frighten away many pests that do.

Fake Nest – Wasps are very territorial. Place a fake wasp nest on the porch prevents the real thing from happening on the property. It works better than other garden decoys, because wasps aren’t as smart as craftier pests.

No Kill Traps – To remove mice without hurting them, Purchase traps that capture them alive. Once the mouse is caught, release it in the wild far away from homes so they don’t find their way back.

No Pesticide Traps – Glue traps or other devices for smaller pests that are safe and organic. When shopping for traps, make sure to check the ingredients and see if the box specifically says it’s safe for use around pets.