Where do ants, cockroaches, and mice have in common? They are all pests that belong inside, but that love to venture inside your home. If you do see them inside, you need to take action fast — because this is not where they should be! Pests are not just a nuisance. They can spread disease, destroy your insulation and other building materials, and leave nasty smells behind.
Every homeowner should know the basics about pest control. Yes, you can call in a professional as needed, but knowing the basics will still help you keep the pests outside where they belong. You can learn those basics right here on this blog.
Mistakes People Make When Attempting To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are stubborn pests — there's no doubt about that. However, part of what is perceived as them being stubborn or persistent is often people not knowing how to best manage them. In spite of their best intentions, many homeowners make one or more of the following mistakes when attempting to get rid of bed bugs.
1. Moving to a different room once the bed bugs are discovered.
You discover bed bugs in your bed, so you move into the spare bedroom. This seems to make sense. After all, you want to get away from the bugs! But the problem is that when you move from the infested bed to the other room, you bring the bed bugs with you. You may not notice them at first, but they'll be there! Then, when you have the first room treated but not the second room, the infestation lingers because you're still bringing bed bugs back and forth whenever you change where you're sleeping. So, as hard as it can be to do, you need to continue sleeping in the same space once you discover a bed bug problem. This helps keep the bugs confined, which make them easier to eradicate.
What you can do is cover your mattress in a plastic cover. This should trap most of the bed bugs inside so you don't get bitten as much while you're awaiting the bed bug pest control company.
2. Spraying insecticides in a DIY pest removal attempt.
Some homeowners, with the best intentions, go to the store and buy a can of general insecticides to spray their bed. Or they use flea powder or other substances they have on-hand. The problem with this approach is that it kills the weakest bed bugs, and the ones that remain are the strongest, most resilient ones that are resistant to milder pesticides. This makes the problem harder for the pest control company to treat. DIY pest removal is fine for less troublesome insects like ants, but leave bed bug control to the pros who have the right insecticides and can apply them where needed.
3. Leaving clutter in place.
Bed bugs do not just hide in beds and couches. They can also hide away in piles of clothing and other clutter on the floor. So before your pest control company comes, it's important to clear away this clutter so they can treat these areas more effectively. Wash any clothing or bedding in hot water, and dry it on high heat — this will kill any bed bugs.
If you're able to avoid the mistakes above, you'll perceive bed bugs as a lot less stubborn because your pest control company will be able to get rid of them the first time.