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For our first e-book, we’re tackling one of the most dreaded pests out there—bed bugs!

If you'd like a copy of our DIY Bed Bug Solution e-book in PDF form, simply fill out this form and subscribe to our mailing list. You'll receive effective, easy-to-follow tips to handle bed bugs and keep your home pest-free.

DIY Bed Bug

This Guide to Eradicating Bed Bugs is a DIY on how to get rid of bedbugs without a Pest Controller or Chemicals

Pests can have a significant psychological impact, and bed bugs are particularly notorious for this. They often trigger severe effects such as stress, anxiety especially at night sleep disturbances, paranoia, and compulsive cleaning or inspections.

01 - What are Bed bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny insects, ranging from less than 1mm (eggs) to up to 5mm (adults, about the size of an apple seed). They are reddish-brown, flat, and commonly hide in the seams of mattresses, bed frames, and sheets, especially wooden bed frames.

02 - Chemicals
What kills Bed bugs and their eggs?

Only a limited number of chemicals are still effective against bed bugs, and due to their potentially hazardous effects, these are restricted for professional use. Effective bed bug treatments typically involve specialised insecticides. Fortunately there is a proven method that doest use chemicals that is very effective.

03- First things first - INVESTIGATION
What are the signs of bed bugs in bed?

People often mistake bed bugs for other pests like lice, fleas or mites, so a thorough investigation is crucial. Here are the common signs of bed bugs in bed :

Spots on sheets and bed frames
Three bites in a row on one side of the body, often referred to as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” by pest controllers.

Bed bugs are commonly brought into homes through travel or second-hand furniture. They can hitchhike on suitcases, baby strollers, and other belongings.

They are experts at hiding, particularly in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, carpets, floorboards, and even power outlets.

04 - Feeding habits and life cycle

Bed bugs primarily feed on human blood but can also bite animals.

Their eggs are less than 1mm, making them hard to detect. Bed bugs are nocturnal, feeding every 5-10 days, and their bites leave small, red, itchy welts.

A female can lay up to 500 eggs, which hatch in 6-10 days. Nymphs grow into adults in 4-6 weeks, depending on temperature and food availability.

The good news is that they don't transmit diseases to humans, but as the majority of bugs don't count on them just going away on their own.

05 - DIY: Ho to get rid of Bed bugs?

Bed Bugs die when exposes to temperatures above 46°C

Use a steamer to treat carpets, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and skirting boards. Steam slowly to ensure effectiveness.
You can either purchase or rent a steamer, but keep in mind this requires thorough and patient work.
Remove all clothes form cabinets and drawers and have them in plastic bags with cable ties to seal them. Wash all clothing and fabrics in hot water and use the hottest dryer setting to ensure all bugs and eggs are killed.
We don’t dismantle power sockets but bed bugs can get inside and use it as harbourage area and lay their egg there. Do not steam the power outlet under any circumstance.
Sofas are tricky to treat because the dust cover or bottom lining often needs to be removed to access the inner parts, and a lot of cracks and crevices in it.
Object like shoes should go in plastic bags, sealed by cable tie them and leave it in the sun in a warm day (temperatures above 46°C).

06 - Final Considerations

While this DIY method can be effective, it requires significant effort, persistence, attention to detail, and a lot of time. You’ll also need a mattress cover that fully encloses the mattress, and it should remain on it for at least one year.

If you plan to dispose of an infested mattress, make sure to cut it open thoroughly and clearly label it as "bed bug infested" to prevent accidental use. Additionally, be mindful that moving in and out of the room can spread the infestation to other areas, so it's essential to regularly check yourself.

This method can work 100% if you steam all bed bugs and their eggs. While some people have successfully solved the problem on their own, and in small infestation size, this is no small task. Bed bugs can also hide in walls, and other unaccessible places.

You have also need to vacuum all infested rooms with a professional-grade vacuum, ensuring that the vacuumed material is disposed of in a sealed plastic bag.

At House Care Pest Control, we’ve been successfully steaming and vacuuming bed bugs for years now. However, we always combine these methods with a two-time chemical treatment to ensure full eradication. The extensive labor involved means we don’t take risks when it comes to achieving 100% results.

Also it is highly recommended to read into the 4th edition of the Code of Practice for bed bug infestation produced by the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association.

https://www.aepma.com.au/Resources/PageContent/Files/e83423e3-5d65-4908-a9a7-e44a24b755c2.pdf

We hope you found this helpful.

At House Care Pest Control, we’re dedicated to educating the Adelaide community and offering premium services for up to 39 pests. If you’re dealing with bed bugs or other pest issues, we’re here to provide the support you need.

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Before you go, do you know about our Year-round warranty covering rodents, spiders, cockroaches, ants and 39 different pests? If not have a look at PestShield Program on HCPestControl.com.au and discover a new way to address pests in Adelaide with a Premium service.

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