Can You Really Treat Bed Bug Problems On Your Own?

When it comes to getting rid of bed bugs, there is a variety of DIY options available. However, as affordable as it may seem, leveraging them to solve your bed bug problem still remains a question to many. Here are some interesting insights that will make you think twice when you consider DIY bed bug solutions as your alternative.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about bed bugs? We all know that these tiny blood sucking creatures are up to no good and will only cause irritation and paranoia if they ever come near us.

Besides causing nightmare to many, bed bugs infestation can be a huge financial burden to homeowners. Aside from delivering a multitude of aggravating bites which can itch for days, you may end up needing to throw away the mattress and repaint the wall as faeces and blood stains left by bed bugs can be quite impossible to remove.

How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are incredibly tiny and difficult to prevent as they can get into clothing, furniture or luggage, which then gets transported wherever these items go. As they are so small and likely to hide in cracks and crevices during the day, it can be very easy for bed bugs to move into your home or hotel room. Here are some ways to spot a bed bug infestation if you have unconsciously invited these tiny creatures with you.

Bed bug bites

If you ever spot bites on your bare skin, especially on the legs, arms, face, neck, and hands, the bites tend to occur in small groups at a single place or found in a line. If multiple bite locations are found, this can often mean that multiple bed bugs have feasted on you.

Small patches of dark/black stains

Spotting small patches of dark/black stains on your mattress and surrounding areas. These are faecal stains from well-fed bugs. Have you got your mattress or bed sheet checked?

Dried blood on bedding

Small red or rusty spots of dried blood on bedding caused when a bed bug is squashed while sleeping.

Shed skins of bed bugs

Juvenile bed bugs shed skins at each of the five stages of growth, so finding shed skins means there is a growing population; they are mainly found at spots where bed bugs congregate or feed.

Is DIY Bed Bug Solution Reliable?

It is true that there are many options when it comes to DIY bed bug solutions. More often than not,  people will have a go at a DIY solution using home remedies to control bed bugs before contacting a professional exterminator. But, how much do we really know about these DIY treatments and do they really work?

Baking Soda- Baking soda is believed to get rid of bed bugs by absorbing the surface fluids on the waxy layer of a bed bug’s shell and cause them to dehydrate. It is also thought that the small granules of baking soda can cut into a bed bugs shell and cause internal bleeding.

However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that baking soda is a successful home remedy for bed bugs. Baking soda actually breaks down when in comes into contact with water, so the idea that it can absorb the thick fluids found on a bed bug shell is quite questionable.

Mothballs - The theory behind this method is that the chemicals used in mothballs have quite a pungent smell, something that bed bugs don’t like. Because of this it is believed that the smell of mothballs naturally repels bed bugs.

While this seems too good to be true, studies on the effectiveness of mothballs showed that they failed to wipe out bed bugs after 7 days.

Vacuuming - Vacuuming is an effective DIY bed bug treatment. Unlike other home remedies, this process can help remove both adult bed bugs and nymphs as well as the eggs. It is important to remember to empty the vacuum in an outside bin to help reduce the possibility of them returning.

However, it is worth noting, that like most DIY pest control solutions, vacuuming will not fully eradicate bed bugs from your home, but it can help reduce the numbers.

Best Way To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Even though DIY solutions are a cheaper way to go, but it might further worsen the infestations and consequently incur more costs in the future. The key to getting rid of bed bugs and giving you a peace of mind is through the help of a professional pest control operator.

With our expert knowledge of bed bugs habits and behaviour, our bed bug control treatment is specifically designed to effectively take action against a bed bug infestation.

Bed bug problems giving you a headache? Reach out to us at 1300 881 911 today to get rid of your bed bug infestation and eliminate any stress or bed bug concerns you have in your home.