Eradicating Bed Bugs
October 2, 2017 12:38 AM Subscribe
What is the best way to be sure we are rid of bed bugs? We plan to remove and destroy the mattress, box spring, wooden bed, frame, following up with using a heat gun and spraying everything, to the point of complete saturation, with alcohol. Anything else before we bring in new bed and mattress?
We have tried to get rid of them forever. They've moved with us. We have decided we must get rid of all the bed furniture, mattress and box spring. We will use the heat gun on the walls and floors, after removing the baseboards and will also saturate with alcohol before caulking and replacing baseboards. Anything else we should do? This problem is driving us crazy.
We have tried to get rid of them forever. They've moved with us. We have decided we must get rid of all the bed furniture, mattress and box spring. We will use the heat gun on the walls and floors, after removing the baseboards and will also saturate with alcohol before caulking and replacing baseboards. Anything else we should do? This problem is driving us crazy.
You could get professionals in and follow their advice to the letter.
Or you could place all of your possessions in trash bags, carry all the nonflammable items to the dryer very carefully in said tightly sealed trash bags, securely dispose of the trash bags most likely in a bonfire in the middle of your backyard, empty the trash bags into the dryer and toast them in 40 degree celsius heat for one hour, transfer the heat-dried items into new trash bags and seal them, and then treat your empty space as described above.
Anything that isn't heatproof and can't be treated as part of your space would also have to be burned.
Don't forget to treat the clothes you are wearing during this process.
Or like I said, you could just get professionals in.
posted by tel3path at 3:35 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Or you could place all of your possessions in trash bags, carry all the nonflammable items to the dryer very carefully in said tightly sealed trash bags, securely dispose of the trash bags most likely in a bonfire in the middle of your backyard, empty the trash bags into the dryer and toast them in 40 degree celsius heat for one hour, transfer the heat-dried items into new trash bags and seal them, and then treat your empty space as described above.
Anything that isn't heatproof and can't be treated as part of your space would also have to be burned.
Don't forget to treat the clothes you are wearing during this process.
Or like I said, you could just get professionals in.
posted by tel3path at 3:35 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
For sure get professionals in, but my favourite tip that makes me sound like a crazy person is to caulk every seam in your bedroom after the first round of fumigation (and before the second -- and yes, you need to do it twice). Around the baseboards, floorboards, window casement, etc.
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 3:57 AM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 3:57 AM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Another vote for professionals. If you're moving them with you, it's time to be directed by specialized exterminators with lots of bed bug experience and no more trying to DIY it. Good luck!
posted by quince at 9:02 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by quince at 9:02 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you live in a detached house, having the whole thing tented might ultimately be less expensive than replacing all your furniture and removing and replacing the baseboards, etc. Just a thought.
posted by ZeroDivides at 9:24 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ZeroDivides at 9:24 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
When you do buy a new mattress, immediately place it in a breathable dustmite-proof cover, and tape over the zipper. Do the same thing for the box spring, but it can have a cheaper vinyl cover that isn't breathable. Dustmite-proof covers keep out bedbugs, in addition to their original function of preventing dust allergies. The breathable covers are tremendously more comfortable than a vinyl cover on the mattress. Get breathable dustproof covers for your pillows, as well.
If you replace your bed, consider a classic iron bedstead, instead of a wooden bed. Their lack of safe places for bedbugs to hide was part of the reason for their popularity years ago.
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 11:00 AM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
If you replace your bed, consider a classic iron bedstead, instead of a wooden bed. Their lack of safe places for bedbugs to hide was part of the reason for their popularity years ago.
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 11:00 AM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
We had a flea infestation and found that diatomaceous earth was the only thing that totally got rid of them. We put it absolutely everywhere in the house, and they were gone in a week. The only thing I'd caution is that it's a pain to clean up: invest in a shopvac to avoid destroying your home vacuum cleaner with the very fine powder.
It ought to work on bedbugs as well.
posted by kdar at 11:51 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
It ought to work on bedbugs as well.
posted by kdar at 11:51 AM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah, as others in the thread have referenced: it's not just your bed, it's your shoes, clothing, books, all other furniture, etc. Have you working with professionals yet? How did you prep for your move?
posted by amaire at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2017
posted by amaire at 12:11 PM on October 3, 2017
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posted by xyzzy at 12:59 AM on October 2, 2017