Since the surge of infestations in Paris, concerns of bed bugs have been on the rise. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to stop them being introduced to your home as well as methods to keep the numbers contained should they find their way in.
Note that, in the case of the latter, it can be difficult to get rid of bed bugs yourself and you should you discover them in a resident’s almshouse, you should contact your local council or pest control service.
Preventative measures
1. Mattress cover: But bear in mind that bed bugs can live in all sorts of spaces around your bed, not just your mattress. They can be found in cracks in the walls, in the joints of your furniture and around the carpet’s edge, so more preventive measures are a good idea.
2. Reduce clutter: If your bedroom is full of clutter, you’re providing more places for bugs to hide. Bed bugs prefer to stay out of sight while we’re active, so if there’s boxes or clothes permanently strewn across the floor, you’re supplying additional shelter as well as spaces to lay eggs. Even if your room doesn’t appear obviously cluttered, always check under your bed. If you’ve got cardboard boxes stored here, you’re giving the bed bugs a prime position to hide close to where you sleep.
3. Vacuum, steam and wash: A clean house is just as likely to suffer from a bed bug infestation as a dirty one, but certain chores will reduce their numbers. For instance, regularly vacuuming your floors, furniture and mattress will pick up rogue bed bugs. This won’t kill them though, so you need to empty the canister between each run, carefully, into a sealed plastic bag in the outside bin.
Heat is a well-known method for killing bed bugs, and so a steam cleaner can be a handy investment that can be used on carpets and upholstery around the home, killing any immediate bed bugs in your path. The temperature needs to reach 130°F with a gentle air flow — otherwise you will just blow the bed bugs away.
Washing your bed linens, the bedding itself (pillows included) and any other fabrics on the highest temperature allowed in your washing machines can also kill bed bugs. The wash temperature needs to be at least 140°F for 90 minutes to be effective, followed by drying on the highest temperature allowed for 30 minutes. Keep any infested items sealed in plastic bags until you’re ready to wash them. If the items can’t tolerate a hot wash, steaming them is another option.
4. Take care with textiles: If you know you’ve got bed bugs in your home, you’re going to want to limit their spreading as much as possible while you work on eliminating them. There are several ways bed bugs can travel, but they tend to cling to inanimate fabrics, which is why our suitcases are often hotspots. They won’t usually hang onto the clothes you’re physically wearing because the movement is too aggressive and they’re not a fan of such intense heat. But any inanimate fabrics or those you carry alongside are certainly at risk.
6. Be vigilant when you travel: It’s all too common to bring bed bugs home with you when you travel, so it’s a worth knowing what to look for when you check into a hotel room. There are several signs of bed bugs including eggshells, shed skins, ink-like spots of faeces and, of course, the bugs themselves. A musty smell may also be present. Inspect the mattress thoroughly, checking cracks, crevices and seams. Check around the headboard as well as any surrounding fabrics too, such as cushions and curtains. Wash all your clothes when you return from holiday.
7. Seal any cracks and gaps in your walls: If you share a wall with neighbours, bed bugs may well be able to travel between the properties too. This is because they can fit through tiny cracks and gaps and come out the other side, making their way in through light switches as well as power outlets. With this in mind, you may wish to consider caulking and sealing any unnecessary cracks in the walls.
Make sure you don’t bring the bed bugs in with you if you share a communal space too, such as a hallway. Don’t leave items on the floor, and check your shoes and clothes as you enter.
posted November 2023