Bed bugs generally come out at night and climb onto your bed to feast on your blood; hence the name bed bug. Of course, a feast is a little strong; these minute bugs take only a small amount of blood; not enough to affect your normal function. But, they will leave you with red sores which are really itchy. This is one of the first ways you can tell you have a case of the bed bugs. 

Other signs are squashed red dots on your sheets; where you’ve killed the bed bugs by rolling over. The problem is that bed bugs can live anywhere in the vicinity of your bed, they disappear into creases in your sheets, bags, or anything else that is lying around. As they are so small you’ll struggle to find them and make sure that you’ve eliminated them all. 

That’s why the first thing you need to do is call the local pest control experts. They can ensure that all the bed bugs in your home are destroyed. However, there are several steps you can take before the local exterminators get to work. They can deal with the bed bugs and other pests.

Don’t Relocate Things 

In fact, the first step is something that you mustn’t do; that is moving any of your belongings to someone else’s house. All you’ll be doing is spreading the problem. Bed bugs can travel in clothing, sheets, towels, or even your bags; do not attempt to take anything elsewhere for ‘safe-keeping’. 

Washing 

Bed bugs can survive many wash cycles but the heat of the dryer kills them. You need to take all the sheets and other bedding and put them into your washing machine on the highest heat setting for these items. Then dry them in your dryer on the highest heat setting possible. 

If you don’t have a washer or dryer at home put them all in a plastic bag and take them to the launderette; make sure you throw the bag away and bring the clean sheets home in a different one. 

In fact, you should do this to any items of clothing that could be exposed to bed bugs. In short, all your clothes! While you’re waiting to wash them put them in plastic bags and seal the tops to prevent any bugs from escaping. 

Toys & Books 

You can now inspect all your books and toys if there is any sign of a bed bug infestation you need to wash them, if possible. If not your pest control expert will suggest either an insecticide or heat treatment. 

Floor Cleaning 

The next step is to vacuum and wash all the floors, this should help to remove some of the bed bugs. You can use a specialized detergent or insecticide to help with this. You may also want to vacuum your mattress. 

However, once you’ve vacuumed you’ll need to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately. If your vacuum doesn’t have a bag the dirt container will need to be soaked in very hot water. You’re now ready for the experts to do their thing and destroy the bed bugs; allowing you to enjoy your home again.