Do it Yourself Bed Bug Treatment

Bed bug removal is best left to the professionals, but there are several DIY bed bug treatments you may wish to try. While these won’t get rid of a full-blown infestation, some have been proven to reduce the severity of the bed bugs. 

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Yourself in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky/At-Home Remedies for Bed Bugs

There are many other home treatments for bed bugs on the internet, but which ones actually work? Although all may have varying degrees of success in killing off several bed bugs, they typically won’t work to get rid of the infestation entirely. 

Some of these include talcum powder, mothballs, rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, diatomaceous earth, and even ultrasonic devices. At the end of the day, these are rarely an end-all solution for a bed bug problem.

Some common DIY bed bug treatments include:

• Washing linens
• Vacuuming
• Freezing
• Baking soda
• Dryer sheets & mothballs
• Diatomaceous earth

Cleaning Instructions for Bed Bugs in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky

One of the best things you can do to control the spread of a bed bug problem is to wash clothes, bedding, and any other infested items in a hot water washing machine. First, it’s important to sort your clothes. After sorting as you normally would, place each sorted pile into separate plastic bags. Seal the bags prior to moving to your machines to avoid them getting into other rooms. 

Tip the sealed bag into the machine, place the plastic bag into another sealed bag, and dispose. Wash and dry the clothes on the highest heat possible. Fold your laundry and place in sealed bags to keep it clean from bed bugs.

Can Bed Bugs Survive in the Washing Machine?

Extreme temperatures are the best way to kill bed bugs. Washing your clothing and bedding in a high-heat wash should effectively kill any bugs and any eggs they’ve possibly laid. It’s important to exercise caution in moving infested linens during the process to avoid spreading the bed bugs to other rooms!

Will Washing Bed-Bug Infested Linens Always Work?

While washing and drying linens in high temperatures helps, this method isn’t available for all infested items or areas of the home. Controlling an infestation requires treating the entire infested area. 

Does Washing Bedding and Clothing in High Heat Kill Bed Bugs?

Yes! Washing your linens in hot water has proven effective in killing bed bugs. High heat is known to kill bed bugs. Strip your bed of all linens and place them into the washing machine. Wash the bedding at a high temperature (at least 140°F) for 90 minutes or more. 

All-Natural Bed Bug Treatments

Does tea tree oil, diatomaceous earth, baking soda, dryer sheets, and other more natural methods really get rid of bed bugs? Unfortunately, no. While these methods may help kill off some bed bugs, they will never be enough to control a full-blown infestation. Regardless, some of these may help lessen the severity of the infestation and are worth a try.

Why Baking Soda Won’t Get Rid of Bed Bugs

The idea behind this is that baking soda breaks down when it comes into contact with water. Therefore, it is said to absorb the thick fluids found on a bed bug shell causing them to dehydrate. The small granules of baking soda can also supposedly cut into a bed bug shell and cause internal bleeding. Even if this proves to be effective in killing a few bed bugs, it will not stop a full-blown infestation.

If you’re successful in using the above methods, you may not be free of bed bugs just yet. Without professional bed bug treatment, it can be extremely hard to kill all bed bugs from your home. The last thing you want is lingering bed bugs, which is why it’s recommended to use a pest control company to handle the infestation quickly for you.

What to Do When DIY Bed Bug Treatment Doesn’t Work

To get rid of bed bugs completely, you almost always need the help of a professional bed bug exterminator. No one wants to deal with lingering bed bugs, which is why it’s best to enlist the expertise of someone who can take care of the problem quickly and effectively!