How You Get Bed Bugs in the First Place and Getting Rid Bed Bugs - For Good

By Dawn Ealy

 

The question is, how does a person gets bed bugs in the first place and what are the tricks for getting rid of them?

 

Does it have to do with cleanliness or lack thereof?

 

No. You can be a clean freak and still have bed bugs in your home. It is helpful to get rid of any clutter when you find out you have bed bugs because they can hide just about anywhere and the less places that have to be check for them, the better.

 

-Are they attracted to a type of furniture and can you discourage them by the type of furniture you have?

 

It's not a matter of what type of furniture you have - the risk of getting bed bugs is the same if you have plastic, wood, metal or no furniture at all.

 

-      Is it because of where you live?

 

That can be part of it. People that live in an area where bed bug infestations are common are more susceptible to getting them too.

Getting bed bugs is much like catching a cold or the flu. If there is a bed bug infestation near you, your chances of having your own infestation occur is much more likely. In fact, the chances of getting bed bugs are getting more likely every day!

 

-      How do you get bed bugs then?

 

You can get bed bugs when:

 

1. You live in a building where someone else has them - buildings like crowded apartments that are in densely populated cities are much more likely to have bed bug infestations than less crowded areas. New York City has a very bad bed bug problem and there have even been several reports of bed bug incidents in 5-star hotels in New York.
2. You go to places where bed bug infestations are likely to be. Traveling; out of the country and to crowded cities is a common way to pick up the unwanted hitch-hikers.
3. You buy or get used furniture or clothing that is already infested with bed bugs and bring them into your home. If you bring these things into your home, be sure to check for bugs first.
4. Your occupation takes you into infested areas. Firefighters in several states have had bad bed bug infestations in their firehouses because during their routine work they frequently go into buildings that are infested and bring the bugs back on their clothing.
5. Recently kids coming home from college have been bringing the bugs back in their luggage.

 

So the likelihood of getting bed bugs is more of a factor of your movements and potential exposure to them through nearby infestations than any other factor.

 

At one time bed bug problems were pretty rare - in fact they'd almost been wiped out as a problem pest.

 

Unfortunately that was when toxic pesticides were being used liberally in houses and, along with killing the bugs, people and pets were being poisoned too. And the overuse of these toxins meant the bugs started to become resistant to the poisons being used.

Eventually the use of certain pesticides was restricted which meant better health for people but the bed bug population began to multiply and is now a near epidemic in many places in the world.

 

And bed bugs are, without a doubt, one of the hardest insect infestations to deal with. And part of the problem with having a bed bug problem is the psychological trauma that often accompanies it.

 

So how do you get rid of bed bugs?

 

The easiest way is to not get them in the first place. And if you've had them but gotten rid of them, to keep alert to ways they might invite themselves back.

There is a link to two videos on our website that give excellent visual tips on how to do that.

 

Things to know when getting rid of bed bugs.

 

• Bed bugs are very hard to eliminate because they can hide in the smallest cracks and crevices, in and under your mattress, curtains, electrical outlets, and floor boards, and they only come out at night when you're normally asleep. So finding them and killing them all is a tough job indeed and usually requires the help of a professional.

• Bed bugs have a low heat tolerance and will die at temperatures over about 120 degrees. Steam treatments and microwaving will kill them and you can buy equipment to kill them with steam.

• Some pesticides will work on eliminating them (pest control companies can tell you which), and you just have to be comfortable with using pesticides in your home and where you sleep.

• There are some natural non-toxic remedies that work, but you have to be diligent in how you use them. These include steam, DE and a misting product that has been used by hotels successfully that is non-toxic and also kills fleas and roaches.

• The very best way to permanently get rid of bed bugs is to use a combination of methods that might include professional help, and then keeping alert for signs of them coming back and immediately taking action if you do.

 

 

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