Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite with These Tips

Did you know that bed bugs were almost extinct by the 1980s? Unfortunately they have made somewhat of a comeback recently, with the issue being called an epidemic in London.

Scientists found recently that bed bugs may originate from bats, when thousands of years ago we used to make our homes in caves. They would have looked for hosts in the caves, sometimes finding a human instead of a bat.

So how do you get bed bugs? You’ll usually get them if one accidentally gets on any of your belongings.

Just one is enough to start an infestation. You’ll know if you’ve got an infestation if you start getting itchy bites on your skin.

But how do you get rid of a bed bug infestation? Here are 6 steps that will do the trick.

1. Quarantine

If you have room, you can cut off the bugs’ food supply. That means quarantining the room. Then you’ll need to launder or throw away everything in the room.

bed bugs
Image via Pinterest

2. Steam your bed

Another way to get rid of the pesky mites by steaming your mattress. You’ll find a steamer in most DIY stores.

Make sure you do a thorough job, as leaving just one bed bug is enough to start another infestation.

3. Put alcohol on your sheets

Rubbing alcohol will kill the bugs’ eggs instantly. Spray all your sheets with it and it will help you stop them in their tracks.

4. Vacuum your bed

After you’ve sprayed your bed, or even on its own, vacuum your mattress. You’ll need to ensure that you vacuum every last spot, but it can be effective in eradicating bed bugs.

5. Wash everything and bag your mattress

You should be able to get rid of the bugs by washing everything on the highest temperature the material will allow. You can also bag your mattress and take it outside. Make sure you wrap it up in the infested room, then place it in direct sunlight. As long as the temperatures inside the bag reach 48.8C, all the bugs should die within a few days.

6. Get rid of your sheets

In some cases, the only thing left to do is get rid of your sheets. If you’re not too attached to them, just bin them – you’ll soon get rid of the problem.

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Emily Rivers

Emily Rivers is the Customer Experience Manager at Quotatis. She informs customers of the latest developments in a range of products so they can make the best choice for their homes and ensures they get the best out of our service.