Bed bugs can hide in bedding, pillows and mattresses.
Did your mother tell you, "Don't let the bed bugs bite," when you were a child? If so, you may have heard this phrase many times without actually thinking about it. Bed bug bites can range from itchy and irritating to painful. People who are allergic may go into anaphylactic shock. Bed bugs are small, red-brown insects usually no bigger than 3/8 of an inch. If you've discovered that your home is infested with bed bugs, you must remove them to prevent further bites.
Instructions
1. Determine that you have suffered from bed bug bites. These bites are similar to mosquito bites and may appear as itchy, red and swollen areas on your skin. If you believe you have bed bugs in your home, begin searching for them.
2. Remove all bed linens and wash them in the washing machine on a hot cycle. Doing so will kill any bed bugs trapped in the linens. Wash your pajamas to ensure no bed bugs are trapped in your clothing.
3. Inspect your mattress thoroughly by lifting it off your bed and turning it. Because bed bugs are roughly the size of ladybugs, they can be spotted with the naked eye. This makes them easy to identify and kill. Take the time to inspect all the areas around your bed, including cracks and crevices between your mattress and headboard. Crush any bed bugs that you notice.
4. Vacuum your mattress, box spring and the area around your bed thoroughly. If you keep stuffed animals in your bed, wash them or place them in a clothes dryer for at least 30 minutes.
5. Purchase a cleaning agent specifically designed to kill bed bugs. Follow the instructions on the cleaning agent to apply it to your mattress, box spring and area around your bed. If necessary, you may wish to purchase a new mattress and box spring, especially if they're old and contain splits or cracks.
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