Bed bugs like to travel from place to place just as much as people. Reader's Digest reports that most of them are transported on people's luggage, clothing and furniture.
Rather than refusing to buy used furniture, stay in a hotel or fly on an airplane ever again, you can implement these 10 home remedies for getting rid of them if you find you have a few hitchhikers.
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1. Clothes dryer
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking any infested clothing or bedding and placing it in the clothes dryer on high heat for 30 minutes.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking any infested clothing or bedding and placing it in the clothes dryer on high heat for 30 minutes.
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2. Wash and dry
If you're still feeling a little uncomfortable, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service notes you can wash items in hot water for 30 minutes and then tumble them dry on high heat for 30 minutes. This will kill both the bed bugs and the eggs.
If you're still feeling a little uncomfortable, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service notes you can wash items in hot water for 30 minutes and then tumble them dry on high heat for 30 minutes. This will kill both the bed bugs and the eggs.
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3. Dry clean
Some pieces can't be thrown in the wash or dried on high. For those, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommends dry cleaning. Professional exterminators use steam to kill bed bugs, and steam is used to dry clean.
Some pieces can't be thrown in the wash or dried on high. For those, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommends dry cleaning. Professional exterminators use steam to kill bed bugs, and steam is used to dry clean.
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4. Black plastic and sun
Because heat kills bed bugs, taking items and encasing them in black plastic bags and placing them in the sun or in a hot car for an afternoon if it's really hot will kill the bugs.
Because heat kills bed bugs, taking items and encasing them in black plastic bags and placing them in the sun or in a hot car for an afternoon if it's really hot will kill the bugs.
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5. Freezer
Another option is to place items in a freezer set at 0°F for eight to 10 hours, notes Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Another option is to place items in a freezer set at 0°F for eight to 10 hours, notes Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
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6. Mattress cover. If the mattress and box springs are infested, Better Homes & Gardens explains you can purchase bed bug mattress and box spring covers designed specifically to trap bed bugs.
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7. Bed bug interceptors
Even furniture can transport bed bugs, so Better Homes & Gardens also recommends placing bed bug interceptors under the legs of the bed or other furniture, trapping the bugs and keeping them from spreading.
Even furniture can transport bed bugs, so Better Homes & Gardens also recommends placing bed bug interceptors under the legs of the bed or other furniture, trapping the bugs and keeping them from spreading.
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8. Systematically treat rooms
If your problem has spread to more than one room, treat each room systematically, getting rid of every bug.
If your problem has spread to more than one room, treat each room systematically, getting rid of every bug.
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9. Repeat
To be sure you've gotten rid of bed bugs and eggs, the EPA recommends repeating the treatment every few days until you're sure they're gone.
To be sure you've gotten rid of bed bugs and eggs, the EPA recommends repeating the treatment every few days until you're sure they're gone.
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10. Professionals
Sometimes, calling the professional is the best option. Better Homes & Gardens, the EPA, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service all note that if the entire house is infested, calling a professional exterminator is the best way to ensure you get them all.
Sometimes, calling the professional is the best option. Better Homes & Gardens, the EPA, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service all note that if the entire house is infested, calling a professional exterminator is the best way to ensure you get them all.
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If you want to stop the advancement of bed bugs, keeping them from continuing their travels, you may be able to stop them in their tracks on your own. Being wise with how you deal with used furniture when you buy it or luggage when you travel can save you a lot of headaches.