How to Get Rid of Bedbugs

How to get rid of bedbugs

You will have no doubt seen in the news that there has been a “widespread outbreak” of bedbugs in Paris. Bed bugs can survive on clothes and in suitcases for four to six months. Although the UK hasn't had any reports yet, it's possible.

They have been an issue for centuries, but it’s thought that the increase in travel (and less focus on cleaning) over the past year or so since the pandemic has given them a bit of a resurgence.

Some bedbugs have also proved resistant to common treatments. The problem can get out of hand before you even realise it.

Thankfully, heat and keeping your sleeping and living areas sanitised can help. Steam cleaning, regularly washing bedding, and daily vacuuming can help the issue.

You may want to use a carpet cleaner to get right into the fibres of your carpet before you start your daily cleaning.

 

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How to spot bed bugs

Some good news—bed bugs are more visible than fleas and other pests. They are reddish-brown, and around a quarter of an inch long.

But they move quickly. Their small size still means they can hide under your mattress, in carpets, and even around skirting boards, electrical outlets, and under peeling wallpaper.

Eggs can be laid in cracks and crevices, such as the folds or seams of your mattress. You’re more likely to see squashed adult bedbugs or their droppings than actual bedbugs at first.

Another sign of bed bugs is if you have been bitten. Red marks can turn into itchy welts, and they’re often found in a zigzag pattern on your back or legs. Your room may also smell musty or sweaty.

 

How to get rid of bedbugs

If you have bedbugs, it isn’t a cleanliness issue. It doesn’t mean your home is dirty, or you don’t clean. They can simply hitchhike wherever they want to.

Whether you’ve seen them, or want to make sure there are none, the good news is heat and high temperatures can work. But you will have to use a combination of treatments and methods to eliminate bed bugs and ensure you’ve nipped the issue in the bud.

 

1. Deep clean

While cleanliness doesn’t stop bedbugs from infecting your space, keeping on top of cleaning can help you spot the bugs earlier.

Declutter your space. Give the bedbugs nothing to hide in. This means removing anything under your bed (but cleaning and steaming it all before moving elsewhere in the house), as well as utilising drawers and storage space rather than leaving things on tables and drawer tops.

Use a carpet cleaner to deep clean your carpets. Vacuums are great, especially if you hire an industrial-level vacuum with high suction power. But a carpet cleaner will get into carpet fibres, lifting them and using a combination of heat and cleaning fluid to sanitise them.

Then, vacuum daily, remembering to get into all the carpet corners and edges using the handheld attachments.

 

2. Use a steamer on your soft furnishings

Bedbugs, and indeed other pests such as fleas, don’t like heat. Heat can also kill germs and bacteria.

But we often forget to sanitise our mattresses, carpets, and furnishings as much as we should. They can’t be popped in the washing machine, so are often left behind.

A steam cleaner can help here. The temperature will kill anything living in your mattress or carpets, without causing damage. This is a great option for anything which can’t be washed in the washing machine.

 

3. Wash affected bedding

Remove bedding, and wash on a hot wash at least 60°C. If you have a tumble dryer, also pop them in here on a high heat. Check your care labels to ensure this is okay first.

Also, wash any potentially affected clothing in hot water. This can include pyjamas, jumpers, and slippers. Don’t forget about pet beds, too.

 

4. Check second-hand goods

We all love a second-hand piece of furniture. It is good for both the planet and our purses. But don’t bring anything into your home without deep cleaning first.

This could mean vacuuming and then steaming or disinfecting. Check it all, especially if it is fabric, such as a chair or sofa.

Even if you buy something brand new straight from the warehouse, it is still worth checking it over first.

 

 

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