How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

1. Applying Heat (Or Laundry)

A clothes dryer can help in getting rid of bed bug infestations in household items like toys, shoes, clothing, or bedding. Portable heating devices are also available, which are specially designed to kill bed bugs in all life stages, including their eggs.

2. Vacuum Cleaning

Vacuuming the infested areas extensively can also help in eliminating bed bugs. Use an appropriate vacuum hose to thoroughly vacuum every crack and crevice on furniture, baseboards, bed stands, rails, buttons, edges of the bedding, and carpets.

Caution: Avoid using a bristle attachment as it may transfer any attached bugs to other places. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bags in an outdoor trash can.

3. Rubbing Alcohol

You Will Need
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • A sprayer
What You Have To Do
  1. Pour some rubbing alcohol into a sprayer.
  2. Spray it on all the nicks and corners with possible bed bug infestations.
  3. You can also use rubbing alcohol as a surface cleaner to repel bed bugs.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily until you have eliminated all the bed bugs.

Why This Works

According to anecdotal evidence, rubbing alcohol is a solvent and may kill bed bugs by dissolving their cells. It also acts as a repellent. However, there is no study to prove this claim.

Caution: Rubbing alcohol may leave stains on some fabrics. Hence, do a patch test before spraying it on any infested fabric.

4. Scented Dryer Sheets

Scented dryer sheets are fabric softeners that help in leaving your clothes and bedding softer. They eliminate the electrostatic charges that linger on top of the washed fabrics, and this can repel bed bugs as well. However, dryer sheets only work as a prevention method and cannot help in eliminating bed bugs.

5. Sealing Cracks And Crevices

Sealing all cracks and crevices can prevent bed bugs from entering your apartment. It can also prevent the pests from infesting other nearby homes. Caulk is a popular material that can help in this regard. It is often used to seal leakages in piping and other structures.

6. Clean And Disinfect

Disinfecting the infested areas by laundering the infested linens/clothing, scrubbing, vacuuming, and using portable heating devices can help in getting rid of bed bugs altogether. You can do this yourself or with the help of a pest control service.