According to a recent study funded by the National Pest Management Association, nearly 97 percent of pest professionals have treated bed bugs within the last year. These pervasive insects can quickly take over your home and wreak havoc on your family’s well-being. After being bitten by a bed bug, an individual might experience a wide array of side effects ranging from minor welts to a severe allergic reaction. Here is a quick look at five steps that you can take to quickly and safely eradicate a bed bug infestation.

Clear Out Clutter

In addition to being extremely small, bed bugs are also very adept at hiding. Before you try to eradicate these pests, you need to make sure that they won’t have anywhere to scurry off to. Bed bugs can often be found in piles of clothes, luggage, shoes, old boxes, and electronics. As you are removing those items from a room, you must make sure that they aren’t infected. You could accidentally transfer the bugs from one room to another if you aren’t careful.

Disinfect Your Clothes and Linens

After the room has been cleared out, you need to thoroughly disinfect everything that is made of fabric. That includes sheets, blankets, pillowcases, rugs, mats, and any clothes that are in the closet. The easiest way to disinfect those items is to put them in the washer on the hottest setting. Bed bugs die off when they are exposed to temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If your washer doesn’t get that hot, then those fabrics will need to be placed in the dryer as well.

Locate Hiding Places

Bed bugs often lay their eggs in small hiding spots that are very difficult to reach, and that means you will need to do some searching. All of the furniture in your home that can be taken apart must be disassembled and sanitized. You can also place plastic encasements over some of your furniture, but many people find those covers to be unsightly. For severe infestations, the furniture will either need to be professionally disinfected or removed from the home.

Seal Up Your House

Even though bed bugs are extremely small, you might be able to keep them out of your home simply by sealing up pinholes and cracks. With all-purpose caulk, you should carefully seal around baseboards, trim, and power outlets. You might find some small cracks around your doors and windows as well, and those can be taken care of with outdoor caulk. Many experts also suggest that you place fresh weatherstripping around your doors at least once every few years to keep pests out of your home.

Contact Colorado Pest Pros

These other tips are going to help you get rid of minor infestations, but there may come a point when you need to consider professional assistance. Our team understands just how frustrating these pests can be, and that is why we offer world-class exterminations services to all of our clients. We can help you eradicate these bugs and come up with a long-term plan for preventing future infestations.