Bed Bugs: Tips to Kick Them Out and Soothe the Itch

December 7, 2024

Bed bugs are tiny, bloodsucking pests that can invade homes, hotels and even public spaces, leaving sleepless nights and itchy welts in their wake.

Also, these insects’ resilience and ability to conceal themselves in the widest cracks make them a tough pest to get rid of. Additionally, they can cause pain, itching, and allergic dermatitis.

In this blog, we’ll cover some home remedies to get rid of bed bug infestations and treat the bites. So let us break this down step by step!

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, wingless insects that suck the blood of people and animals. They are nocturnal, preferring to hide away in furniture, mattresses, bedding and cracks in walls.

Common Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Tiny, reddish-brown insects in or around your bed.
Rust-colored smears on bedding (from crushed insects or their droppings).
Small, itchy bites on exposed skin upon waking.
Tiny, white eggs or molted skins in crevices or furniture seams.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

1. Identify the Infested Areas

Early detection is crucial. Check your:
Mattress seams and folds.
Bed frame, headboard and nightstands.
Draperies, floor coverings, and upholstery.
Cracks in walls and baseboards.
Consider using a flashlight and magnifying glass to spot these tiny bugs.

2. Clean and Declutter

Vacuum: Move a vacuum cleaner over your mattress and bed frame and surrounding furniture. Make sure you deposit empty vacuum contents outside your property right away.
Wash Bedding: Any bedding, curtains, or clothes should be washed in hot water and dried on the highest heat setting. Heat is deadly to bed bugs and their eggs.
Declutter: Keep your home as decluttered as you can in order to limit the number of places bed bugs can hide.

3. Use Heat or Cold Treatments

Heat Treatment: Treat mattresses, furniture, and cracks with a steamer. Bed bugs are killed at temperatures above 120°F (49°C).
Cold treatment: If the items can’t be heated, they can instead go in a freezer that’s at 0°F (-18°C) or lower for at least four days.

4. Apply Chemical Treatments

Use bed bug sprays or insecticides that are specifically labeled for bed bugs. Target cracks, crevices and hiding spots.
Try desiccant dusts such as diatomaceous earth, which sucks moisture from and kills bed bugs.
Be sure to read the product directions and keep pets and children out of the area when you are treating.

5. Use Safe Encasements for Your Mattress and Box Spring

Buy encasements for your mattress and box spring that are bed bug-proof. These trap old bugs inside, limiting their escape or feeding, and defend against new infestations.

Read More: Light Insects

6. Seek Professional Help

If the infestation continues, call a pest control professional. For them, there are more sophisticated treatments available, such as heat chambers and fumigation, which will completely kill every last bug.

How to Treat Bed Bug Bites?

Bed bug bites don’t carry diseases, but they can lead to a lot of itching and discomfort. Here’s what to do about the bites:

1. Clean the Affected Area

Wash the bites with soap and water to minimize irritation and avoid infection.

2. Relieve Itching

Use Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines (such as Benadryl) are available to help alleviate itching and swelling.
Apply Hydrocortisone Cream: Topical corticoid can calm the redness and inflammation.
Try A Home Remedy: Aloe vera gel, baking soda paste and cold compress need to find a home.
Avoid Scratching

It can cause skin infections from scratching. Keep nails short and consider wearing gloves at night if the itching is significant.

3. Watch for Allergic Reactions

Bed bug bites can, in rare cases, lead to severe allergic reactions. Symptoms include such reactions as trouble breathing, dizziness, or swelling. If this happens, seek medical attention.