Bed Bugs - What are my options?
- Thread starter joe2187
- Start date
- Status
demosthenes
Member
30 minutes at the HIGHEST temperature, not just 30 minutes. It will take time to heat up to that temp.
Call an exterminator immediately. Right now.
Not dealing with them properly will only drag out the problem.
If you can't afford them, or want to do something in the mean time, there are a couple steps you can follow to create "safe" zones and hang on to some sanity in your own home.
1. First bag your bed (mattress + box spring, if you have one) in protective covers.
2. Put protective barriers on the feet of your bed, and make sure your bed is moved away from the wall and nothing (no sheets, no blankets) are touching the floor.
Congrats, you've isolated your bed and might be able to get a good night sleep. (the caveat is that they can drop from the ceilings, and the barriers aren't 100% effective)
3. Put diatomaceous earth in the cracks of the room, plus any adjourning rooms and hallways. They are very likely to be in the walls if they've come from a different room. The diatomaceous earth will rupture their exoskeletons as they pass through and eventually dehydrate them.
4. Clean everything off the floor, and move all furniture away from the walls. Don't give them anywhere to hide. Bag all of your clothing and start living off of an outfit that you seal and hang.
The most important thing to do is just assume they are in everything right now, and act accordingly.
I had bed bugs coming from the building next to where I live, like once or twice a month, and the bastards had me living in constant anxiety. They will only get worse until you come up with an actual treatment plan and execute it thoroughly.
Not dealing with them properly will only drag out the problem.
If you can't afford them, or want to do something in the mean time, there are a couple steps you can follow to create "safe" zones and hang on to some sanity in your own home.
1. First bag your bed (mattress + box spring, if you have one) in protective covers.
2. Put protective barriers on the feet of your bed, and make sure your bed is moved away from the wall and nothing (no sheets, no blankets) are touching the floor.
Congrats, you've isolated your bed and might be able to get a good night sleep. (the caveat is that they can drop from the ceilings, and the barriers aren't 100% effective)
3. Put diatomaceous earth in the cracks of the room, plus any adjourning rooms and hallways. They are very likely to be in the walls if they've come from a different room. The diatomaceous earth will rupture their exoskeletons as they pass through and eventually dehydrate them.
4. Clean everything off the floor, and move all furniture away from the walls. Don't give them anywhere to hide. Bag all of your clothing and start living off of an outfit that you seal and hang.
The most important thing to do is just assume they are in everything right now, and act accordingly.
I had bed bugs coming from the building next to where I live, like once or twice a month, and the bastards had me living in constant anxiety. They will only get worse until you come up with an actual treatment plan and execute it thoroughly.
demosthenes
Member
All great advice. If you start limiting where they can go like beds and clothing, make sure you protect everything and anything you hold dear near. Do you have a desk near your bed w/ your computer? Either moat the legs if it has legs or get heavy duty double sided tape all over it. Seems crazy but do not take the issue lightly.
- Status