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Venom Jockey provided this link and I thought a thread just about bed bugs was worthwhile.
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/home-remedies-for-bed-bugs/
9 Best Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs
While bed bug problems were almost unheard of just a little over a decade ago, today calls to pest control companies related to bed bugs are continuing to increase.
Orkin Entomologist and Director of Technical Services Dr. Ron Harrison stated in a recent news release: “We have more people affected by bed bugs in the United States now than ever before.”
While you might think these tiny insects that feed on human blood are more often found in “buggy,” humid places like the South, the U.S. cities that report the most problems don’t include one in the southern region of the country – Baltimore is the No. 1 city when it comes to bed bugs, followed by Washington, DC; Chicago, New York, Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Still, no one is immune to these pesky critters that certainly don’t discriminate.
Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into tiny crevices in furniture as well as mattresses. They’re attracted to mattresses as well as other furniture, the cracks of doorways, dresser drawers, shelving units and other areas ripe for hiding.
While they don’t transmit disease, they leave red, itchy bites that can be so bad it’s impossible to sleep. The scratching then causes breaks in the skin, increasing the likelihood of infection. In severe cases, they can even cause anaphylactic shock.
While they’re difficult to spot with the naked eye, one of the most common signs of bed bugs (other than their bite) is discovering small stains of blood on sheets and linen.
If you’ve been an unfortunate victim of these bugs, you might be tempted to immediately call your local pest control company, but that’s not without risk.
Pesticides and insecticides contain toxic chemicals that are used to eradicate pests. The chemicals may include a carcinogen, a substance that is directly linked to causing cancer.
Pesticides include two types of chemicals, active and inert. The active ingredients kill or repel the pest, and inert chemicals are used for other purposes, such as attracting pests or increasing the shelf life of the product. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires pest control companies to list the active ingredients on their packaging, it doesn’t require inert ingredients to be on the label, and they can be toxic.
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to naturally get rid of bed bugs.
These insects are unable to survive extreme hot or cold temperatures, which means methods like steam cleaning, hot washes, and drying on high heat are just some of the natural home remedies that can be used to eliminate them from bedding, furniture, clothing and so on. For larger areas, there are options for creating a DIY natural insecticide using all natural products like essential oils.
Locate the Infestation
No matter which method you choose, your first step should be to locate the infestation, in order to eliminate all traces of the bugs from your home. While they’re typically found in bedrooms, they can live anywhere in your home where pets and/or people sleep.
The EPA advises carefully checking the seams of mattresses and other soft furnishings in your home, like sofa and seat cushions. Take a close look in the spaces between cushions, as well as mattresses, bed frames, and any other possible hiding places in the bedrooms. You should also examine drawer joints, behind any loose wallpaper, and even in electrical appliances. A space that’s as thin as a credit card, is big enough for bed bugs to make their home in.
Now that you know where the problem is, it’s time to fight it. These natural home remedies have shown to be the most effective for battling bed bugs.
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/home-remedies-for-bed-bugs/
9 Best Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs
While bed bug problems were almost unheard of just a little over a decade ago, today calls to pest control companies related to bed bugs are continuing to increase.
Orkin Entomologist and Director of Technical Services Dr. Ron Harrison stated in a recent news release: “We have more people affected by bed bugs in the United States now than ever before.”
While you might think these tiny insects that feed on human blood are more often found in “buggy,” humid places like the South, the U.S. cities that report the most problems don’t include one in the southern region of the country – Baltimore is the No. 1 city when it comes to bed bugs, followed by Washington, DC; Chicago, New York, Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Still, no one is immune to these pesky critters that certainly don’t discriminate.
Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into tiny crevices in furniture as well as mattresses. They’re attracted to mattresses as well as other furniture, the cracks of doorways, dresser drawers, shelving units and other areas ripe for hiding.
While they don’t transmit disease, they leave red, itchy bites that can be so bad it’s impossible to sleep. The scratching then causes breaks in the skin, increasing the likelihood of infection. In severe cases, they can even cause anaphylactic shock.
While they’re difficult to spot with the naked eye, one of the most common signs of bed bugs (other than their bite) is discovering small stains of blood on sheets and linen.
If you’ve been an unfortunate victim of these bugs, you might be tempted to immediately call your local pest control company, but that’s not without risk.
Pesticides and insecticides contain toxic chemicals that are used to eradicate pests. The chemicals may include a carcinogen, a substance that is directly linked to causing cancer.
Pesticides include two types of chemicals, active and inert. The active ingredients kill or repel the pest, and inert chemicals are used for other purposes, such as attracting pests or increasing the shelf life of the product. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires pest control companies to list the active ingredients on their packaging, it doesn’t require inert ingredients to be on the label, and they can be toxic.
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to naturally get rid of bed bugs.
These insects are unable to survive extreme hot or cold temperatures, which means methods like steam cleaning, hot washes, and drying on high heat are just some of the natural home remedies that can be used to eliminate them from bedding, furniture, clothing and so on. For larger areas, there are options for creating a DIY natural insecticide using all natural products like essential oils.
Locate the Infestation
No matter which method you choose, your first step should be to locate the infestation, in order to eliminate all traces of the bugs from your home. While they’re typically found in bedrooms, they can live anywhere in your home where pets and/or people sleep.
The EPA advises carefully checking the seams of mattresses and other soft furnishings in your home, like sofa and seat cushions. Take a close look in the spaces between cushions, as well as mattresses, bed frames, and any other possible hiding places in the bedrooms. You should also examine drawer joints, behind any loose wallpaper, and even in electrical appliances. A space that’s as thin as a credit card, is big enough for bed bugs to make their home in.
Now that you know where the problem is, it’s time to fight it. These natural home remedies have shown to be the most effective for battling bed bugs.