How to get rid of bed bugs quickly

Bed bugs feed solely and exclusively on the blood they suck from living beings. Humans and animals are their favorite victims, which is why they attack houses and apartments in search of food. The favorite place for bed bugs are bedrooms and living rooms, since these spaces are intended for rest, they can more easily attack their victims and hide again. Bed bugs appear mainly in the following cases:

1. When picking up sofas, mattresses or beds from the streetAlthough they look in excellent condition, these objects could already contain an infestation of bed bugs, so one of the most effective tips would be to avoid buying used furniture.
2. Leave a long time without washing the sheets, covers, cushions and mattresses: Bed bugs are attracted to body sweat, so keeping your rooms clean is essential to keep these parasites well away.
3. Having cracks in ceilings, frames, or walls– Bed bugs use these holes to get in and out of your home. In addition, the cracks in the baseboards, in the door frames and in the windows, serve as their hiding place.
4. Keeping your rooms messy and dirty: As we said, these insects reproduce quickly and hide easily, so the messier your room is, the easier it will be for them to move from one place to another without being seen.

You must bear in mind that bed bugs are extremely small insects, as in their adult stage they measure between 4 and 6 millimeters. For this reason, there are times when it is difficult to find these parasites and you should pay attention to other types of clues that will tell you if there are bed bugs in the house or not. These are some signs that you should guide yourself by:

• Bites– Bed bug bites are very similar to mosquito bites. They appear in the form of small, red granites with the occasional bump. Bed bugs can bite multiple times on the same part of the body, so you may wake up with several bites in a row on your arms, legs, etc.
• Stains on the sheets or pillow: After being bitten, bed bugs excrete a liquid that you can see on your sheets or pillows. Blood stains can also be a sign to take into account, because if you squash one of these insects after being bitten, it will leave a trail of blood that is easy to perceive.
• Traces of fur: Until bed bugs reach their adult stage, they shed their skin five times. This process occurs quickly, so it is very likely that you will find traces of these skins on your bed.
• Unpleasant smell: In extreme cases, a bed bug infestation can produce a very strong unpleasant odor, characterized by being sweet and persistent.

To check the rooms well and make sure there are no pests, do not forget to take a good look in the following places:

• Baseboards
• Nightstands
• Mattress seams, carpets, curtains, etc.
• Head board of the bed
• Drawers and cabinets

In addition to biting at night while you sleep, bed bugs are characterized by releasing an anesthetic fluid after sucking the blood. That is why, many times, it can take hours or even days to feel these bites.

As we have mentioned, bed bug bites can appear in a straight line or grouped in the same area of ​​the body, since these parasites bite several times in the same area.

While it is true that most bites are harmless, bed bugs, like fleas and mites, can transmit dangerous diseases through their bites if they are not cured in time. What’s more, scratching can lead to bacterial skin infections, so you should avoid rubbing the area.

To reduce and decontaminate the bite, we advise you to wash the affected area of ​​the body with plenty of water and actibacterial soap. Then tap the wound with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Its antiseptic power will not only protect you from bacteria, but it will also ward off bed bugs. If you want more information on How to cure bed bug bites, don’t miss this other oneHOWTO article.

Exterminate bed bugs at home is not an easy task, as they hide easily thanks to their tiny size and usually appear when we are sleeping. However, from a HOWTO we want to explain how to get rid of bed bugs with home remediess so that these pests are not a problem. Do you want to discover how to eliminate bed bugs from the sofa, the beds and the curtains? Don’t miss the following tricks!

How to get rid of bed bugs with rubbing alcohol

One of the simplest and most effective methods to learn how to get rid of bed bugs quickly is this. Isopropyl alcohol, characterized by its intensity, is unbearable for these parasites, as his smell can suffocate them in a matter of minutes. Follow this step by step:

1. Pour the rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle.
2. Generously spray each infected area.
3. In case you want to spray mattresses and cushions, do it during the day in ventilated areas, but always inside the house.

How to get rid of bed bugs quickly with detergent

You can also combine hot water and rubbing alcohol with powdered detergent soap. Here’s how to mix these ingredients to decontaminate furniture and mattresses:

1. Mix three tablespoons of washing-up powder with half a cup of rubbing alcohol.
2. Let it sit overnight.
3. In the morning, add boiling water to the mixture.
4. Spread the final mixture on the fabrics of cushions, furniture and mattresses, especially in the seams, as this is where more bed bugs tend to take refuge.
5. 8 hours later, clean the area with a sponge and vacuum the impregnated areas.

If you want to keep your home completely pest free, you can apply this method once a week.

In addition to rubbing alcohol and washing powder, there are other products that can help you figure out how to get rid of bed bugs from your sofa, beds, and sheets and curtains. Do you want to learn how to eliminate bed bugs quickly with homemade solutions? Do not miss the following options:

Eliminate bed bugs with baking soda and salt

Another perfect option to keep these insects away from your home is to mix baking soda and salt. This mixture is a very effective pesticide and fungicide, so you just have to follow this step by step:

1. Mix baking soda with salt in equal parts.
2. Spread the mixture on your furniture, beds, baseboards, crevices, windows, etc.
3. After 24 hours, vacuum the mixture until your furniture is impeccable again.

In this article on How to eliminate bed bugs with salt, you will find more detailed information to apply this home remedy.

Remove bed bugs with a vacuum cleaner and steam

Another efficient method to exterminate these types of pests is to vacuum every corner of each infected room before and after cleaning the area well. The different nozzles of the vacuum cleaner will help you reach those nooks, crannies and cracks where these insects usually lodge.

In the same way, it is very useful to clean cushions, furniture and mattresses with steam. Bed bugs can’t stand extreme heat, for which a good review with a steam cleaner for the affected furniture, will end these insects once and for all.

If you want to discover more homemade solutions to get rid of these insects, we recommend you take a look at this article on How to make bed bug poison.

Finally, from unCOMO we want to remind you that, if the plague is very profuse, it is best to call an exterminator. Although it is a more expensive solution, it is the most effective method that you can resort to in extreme cases.