Just the phrase “bed bugs” can make people begin to itch as they imagine the tiny pests biting them throughout the night. Bed bugs are known for being extremely difficult to eradicate and thus become a problem that continues for a long time.
If you notice bed bugs in your home, your first step should be to immediately seek out a bed bug control service in Bartlesville, OK. Though it is technically possible to eliminate bed bugs on your own, it is very, very difficult, so it’s best to rely on the equipment and experience of professionals. However, you can help the removal process along by following the steps below:
- Remove the bed bugs: The most efficient way to cut down on the number of bed bugs is to vacuum them up. Keep in mind that bed bugs have been known to infest vacuum cleaners themselves, so you should use one with a bag rather than a filter. Once you are finished sucking up the bugs, you should immediately put the vacuum bag into a garbage bag, tie it tightly and dispose of it outside of your home.
- Cut down on clutter: If your home is packed with items, you’ve given bed bugs tons of great hiding places. Your pest control technicians will have a lot of trouble effectively treating cluttered areas, so it’s best if you can remove some. You might want to use the bed bugs as an excuse to practice Marie Kondo’s popular method for tidying up your home! You should especially clean out the areas around the infestation and around your bed.
- Install mattress and box spring encasements: Instead of just throwing out your mattress—which is something many people who have bed bugs do—you should consider buying mattress and box spring encasements specifically made to protect against bed bugs. Even if there are still bugs in your mattress, they will eventually die inside the encasements, and living bugs outside of the encasement will not be able to get inside and re-infest the area. It’s much easier to spot and kill bed bugs on the outsides of these encasements as well.
- Do some laundry: Bed bugs drop eggs everywhere, so even if you don’t see the bugs, you might be missing those eggs. But the bugs and eggs do die in heat, so one effective way of killing them is to run clothing and linens through a hot wash and dry cycle.
Even with all the excellent steps above, you’ll definitely want the help of a bed bug control service in Bartlesville, OK. If so, make sure to call Excellence Pest Control, a reliable and affordable family-owned company serving Oklahoma customers since 2003. We have certified and highly experienced technicians who can eradicate any tricky infestations in your home or business.
Excellence Pest Control offers a variety of services to rid you of anything from bed bugs and termites to mice and rats. Call today to find out more about how we can help you live a pest-free life!