Think you have bedbugs at home? First, make sure they really are bedbugs and not fleas, ticks or other insects. Google “EPA bedbug identification” to see a photo for comparison. Then ...
• Don’t panic. It can be difficult to eliminate bedbugs, but it’s not impossible. Don’t throw out all of your bedding, etc, because most items can be treated and saved. • Wash and heat-dry your bedsheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor. Bedbugs and their eggs can hide in laundry containers/ hampers, too. Remember to clean them regularly.
• Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bedbug control. While freezing can kill bedbugs, temperatures must remain very low for a long time. Home freezers may not be cold enough to kill bedbugs. Putting things outside in freezing temperatures could kill bedbugs, but there are many factors that can affect the success of this method.
• Kill bedbugs with heat, but be careful. Raising the indoor temperature won’t do the job. Special equipment and very high temperatures are necessary for successful heat treatment. Black plastic bags in the sun might work to kill bedbugs in luggage or small items, if the contents become hot enough. Bedbugs die when their body temperatures reaches 113°F. The room or container must be even hotter to ensure sustained heat reaches the bugs no matter where they are hiding.
• Vacuum frequently. Carefully vacuum rugs, floors, upholstered furniture and bed frames and vacuum under beds, around bed legs and around all cracks and crevices. Change the bag after each use, placing it in a tightly sealed plastic bag and in an outside garbage bin.
• Turn to the professionals, if needed. Hiring an experienced, responsible pest-control professional can increase your chance of success in getting rid of bedbugs.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, May 2017
For additional articles on protecting your family from pests, visit www.mygnp.com.
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