As a homeowner, I’m always looking for ways to keep my home safe and bug-free. One of the most common pests that can invade your home is bed bugs, and if you want to get rid of them, you need to know how to make bed bugs come out of hiding. In this article, I’ll provide some tips and tricks to help you make bed bugs come out of hiding so you can eliminate them from your home quickly and efficiently.
Signs of Bed Bug Infestation
I often check for signs of bed bug infestation in my bedroom. Bed bugs are small, brownish insects that hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, mattresses, and furniture. To identify them, I look for certain signs of their presence.
First, I check for their droppings. Bed bug droppings are dark, cylindrical, and have a musty smell. I also look for shed skins, which are the empty shells of bed bugs that have molted.
I also check for bite marks on my body. Bed bugs typically bite the face, neck, and arms. The bites are usually small and itchy, and may be in a line or in a cluster.
Blood spots on the sheets are another sign of bed bugs. They are dark-colored spots that result from the bed bugs being crushed while they feed.
Finally, I inspect my bed for the bugs themselves. They are small, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown. They hide during the day and come out at night to feed.
By looking for these signs, I can easily detect if I have a bed bug infestation.
Preparing for Treatment
Getting Rid of Clutter
Removing clutter from the room is the first step to make bed bugs come out of hiding. Clutter provides hiding spots for bed bugs, so getting rid of it eliminates their places to hide. Dispose of any unnecessary items, like old boxes and clothing, to get rid of the clutter.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming is a great way to remove bed bugs and their eggs from the affected area. Be sure to vacuum the mattress, box springs and other furniture in the room. Dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed plastic bag and place it in the trash outside.
Laundering
Laundering your bedding and clothing is a great way to get rid of bed bugs. Place all items in a sealed plastic bag before laundering them. Use the hottest temperature possible on the washing and drying cycles to kill any bed bugs that may be present.
Insecticides
I’m going to start with insecticides. These are the most common method to treat bed bugs and can be found at most hardware stores. The most common insecticides used to treat bed bugs are pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and carbamates. To use them effectively, you need to first identify the areas where the bed bugs are likely to be hiding and then apply the insecticide with a sprayer or other applicator.
Heat Treatments
Heat treatments are another effective way to get rid of bed bugs. This method involves using high temperatures to kill the bugs and their eggs. Heat treatments can be done with a professional or by using a portable heat chamber. With a professional, the entire room is heated to a high temperature for a set amount of time to kill the bed bugs. With the portable heat chamber, you place items in the chamber and heat them to a high temperature.
Cryonite
The last method I want to talk about is cryonite. This is a newer method of treating bed bugs and involves using liquid carbon dioxide to freeze the bugs. The cold temperature of the liquid carbon dioxide will kill the bed bugs and their eggs. This method can be used in hard-to-reach areas and is safe for humans and pets.
4. Steam Treatments
Steam treatments are an effective way to make bed bugs come out of hiding. The steam will kill the bugs on contact, and the heat will drive them out of their hiding spots. To do a steam treatment, use a commercial steam cleaner that has been designed for bug control. These units generate temperatures of up to 200°F, which is hot enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
Before using the steam cleaner, inspect the area for possible hiding spots. Bed bugs can hide in mattresses, furniture, baseboards, and electrical outlets. Vacuum the area thoroughly to remove as many bugs as possible.
Using the steam cleaner, start at the furthest corner of the room and move slowly and methodically. Aim the nozzle at all the crevices and cracks in the walls, furniture, and floors. Hold the nozzle close to the surface for at least 10-15 seconds to ensure the steam penetrates deep enough to kill the bugs.
Once the steam treatment is complete, inspect the area again for any remaining bugs. If any bugs are found, repeat the steam treatment and vacuum again.
Preventing Bed Bug Infestations
- Inspect all second-hand furniture, bedding, and clothing before bringing them into the home.
- Regularly check your bedding, mattress, and furniture for signs of bed bugs.
- Vacuum your bed and surrounding areas frequently.
- Avoid clutter in bedrooms and other areas of the home.
- Minimize the number of items stored under the bed.
- Use mattress and box spring encasements to prevent bed bugs from hiding inside.
- Wash and dry bedding, clothing, and other items on the highest heat setting possible.
- Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and furniture.
1. Inspecting Used Furniture Before Bringing It Home
When buying used furniture, always check it thoroughly for signs of bed bugs. Start by inspecting the seams of the furniture for any fecal stains, eggshells, or shed skins. If you see any of these signs, do not bring the furniture home. Next, use a flashlight to look for live bugs or signs of their presence in the crevices of the furniture. Look in the cracks of the cushions, seams of the upholstery, and underneath the furniture. Finally, make sure to check behind any drawers and inside any hollow spaces. If you see any bed bugs, do not bring the furniture home.
2. Inspecting Travel Bags and Clothes Before Bringing Them Home
Before bringing new items into my home, I inspect them for signs of bed bugs. I look for the bugs themselves, as well as for signs of their presence, such as tiny black spots, which may indicate their presence. I also check for bloodstains, which may indicate the presence of bed bugs. I check in the seams, zippers, and pockets of the items, and I look behind labels and other places that bed bugs may hide. I also inspect my clothes and luggage when I travel to make sure no bed bugs are brought home. I check my clothes and bags for any signs of bed bugs and also vacuum my suitcase and clothes upon returning home.
3. Vacuuming Regularly
- Vacuum all carpets, mattresses, furniture, and cracks in the floors and walls.
- Change the bag or empty the canister after each use.
- Vacuuming alone will not eliminate bed bugs but it will help reduce their numbers and make it easier to spot them.
- Pay special attention to the seams and crevices of mattresses, box springs and bed frames.
4. Washing Bedding Regularly
I regularly wash my bedding in hot water and dry them on a high heat setting. This helps to kill any bed bugs that may be hiding in the sheets or mattress. It is important to wash all bedding and clothing that may have come into contact with bed bugs. I also vacuum the mattress and bed frame to remove any eggs or bugs that may have been missed while washing.
5. Sealing Cracks and Crevices
- Inspect your bed frame and bedding for bed bugs.
- Look for any crevices and cracks where bed bugs can hide.
- Use a caulk gun to fill any cracks and crevices with an appropriate sealant.
- Also, inspect the walls and furniture for any gaps or cracks.
- Seal them with caulk, steel wool, or weather stripping.
This will block any potential entry points for bed bugs and prevent them from coming out of hiding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to make bed bugs come out of hiding?
To make bed bugs come out of hiding, increase the temperature of the room to around 35°C as this causes them to become more active. Vacuuming and steam cleaning furniture and carpets can also help to remove bed bugs from hiding places. Reduce clutter in the room as this reduces the number of places the bugs can hide. Seal any cracks and crevices in the walls and furniture to prevent them from returning. Finally, use insecticides to kill any bed bugs that are not in hiding.
What brings bed bugs out of hiding?
Bed bugs are usually found in cracks and crevices near areas of human activity, such as near beds and furniture. Heat, vibrations, and carbon dioxide (CO2) given off by humans are signals that attract bed bugs, causing them to emerge from their hiding spots. Increasing the temperature of the room, using a steam cleaner and introducing CO2 can all be effective methods of causing bed bugs to come out of hiding. Regularly using a vacuum to suck up the bugs and their eggs can also help with reducing their numbers.
How can I draw bed bugs out of hiding?
Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices in furniture, mattresses, and baseboards. To draw them out, use an integrated pest management approach that includes vacuuming, steam cleaning, and dusting. Vacuuming can help remove bed bugs from the surface of mattresses, furniture, and other items. Steam cleaning is a great way to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Dusting with diatomaceous earth is another surefire way to kill bed bugs. You can also use traps or monitor devices that attract bed bugs and monitor their activity.
What methods can I use to make bugs come out of hiding?
Using a vacuum cleaner is one of the most effective methods to make bed bugs come out of hiding. Vacuuming regularly and thoroughly can help remove bugs and eggs from carpets, furniture, and other areas of a home. Steam cleaning is also an effective method. Heat is deadly to bed bugs and their eggs, and steam cleaning furniture and other items can kill them. Applying insecticides is another option. Insecticides can be used to treat furniture, mattresses, and other areas of infestation. However, insecticides should be used with caution as they can be hazardous to humans and pets.
What are some effective ways to make bed bugs come out of hiding?
Heat: Bed bugs are sensitive to high temperatures and heat treatments can be an effective way to make them come out of hiding.
Chemicals: Pesticides can be effective in making bed bugs come out of hiding. However, it is important to follow the instructions on the label to ensure proper usage and safety.
Vacuuming: Vacuuming can be an effective way to remove bed bugs from furniture, carpets, and other areas. Vacuuming can also help to make bed bugs come out of hiding.
Light: Bed bugs are attracted to light and can be lured out of hiding with a flashlight or other light source.
Traps: Traps can be an effective way to make bed bugs come out of hiding. Traps can be purchased or made with household items such as tape, glue, and coffee grounds to attract and trap bed bugs.
Conclusion
Bed bug infestations can be difficult to detect and manage due to the bugs’ ability to hide in hard-to-reach places. Using the methods discussed above, such as vacuuming, using an insecticide spray and using bed bug interceptors, can help locate and remove bed bugs from your home. It is also important to regularly inspect your home and monitor for signs of bed bugs, such as droppings, blood spots on sheets, or a musty odor. With proper prevention and detection, you can keep your home free of bed bugs.
