When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Bedbugs are nothing to do with cleanliness.
They can move in anywhere, if they find a way to get in from another contaminated home.
You might need to combine multiple techniques and be prepared that some will take a long time.
Also, be aware that you’ll probably struggle to eliminate bedbugs completely without professional help.
(In the UK, theNHS’s official adviceis to contact your local council or pest control service.)
What are bed bugs?
Bedbugs are tiny insects, reddish in colour and around 5mm long.
They cause itchy, red bites.
How do you get rid of bed bugs?
It’s not easy to get rid of bedbugs, but here are some techniques to try.
Trap bugs in a vacuum cleaner
One of the easiest ways to trap visible bedbugs is in avacuum cleaner.
Wash and dry your bedding on hot
Bedbugs can be killed by intense heat.
Or pop them in the dryer on its hottest setting for 30 minutes.
Steam your mattress
Cleaning your mattressis more complicated than popping it into the washing machine.
To try and get rid of bed bugs using heat, try steaming your mattress.
This technique could also be used on a sofa.
Use a bedbug-proof cover
Bedbug-proof mattress and pillow covers are designed to contain, and ultimately kill, bedbugs.
These are different from regularmattress protectors, because they completely encase your mattress.
Freeze them out
Just as very hot temperatures will kill bedbugs, so can intense cold.
Put sheets and other bedbug-infested items in a sealed bag in the freezer for at least four days.
They need to be at at least 0F (-17.78C) during this time.
Regular cleaning and vacuuming will help you spot bedbugs or signs of bedbugs sooner.
What causes bed bugs?
The main cause of bed bugs is simply contamination from other environments with bed bugs.
They are not a sign of a dirty home.
How do you know if you have bed bugs?
Bites, often on the skin that’s exposed overnight are another telltale sign.
They’re oftenclusters of bitesin a zig-zag pattern.
