Having bed bugs invade your kids’ bedrooms can be an incredibly stressful and frustrating experience for any parent. As both a parent myself and a professional pest control operator, I have helped many families successfully eliminate bed bug infestations from their homes. In this article, I will provide an in-depth guide on restoring your kids’ bedrooms and ridding them of bed bugs for good.
Identifying Bed Bug Infestations
The first step is confirming you actually have bed bugs. Here are some telltale signs:
- Small red itchy bites on your child’s skin, often in lines or clusters.
- Dark ink-colored stains on mattresses, bed frames, and walls from bed bug droppings.
- A musty, sweet odor.
- Seeing live bed bugs, which are flat, oval, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. They are often found hiding in mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, and baseboard cracks.
If you suspect bed bugs, a thorough inspection of your child’s bedroom is needed to locate where the infestation is concentrated. Bed bugs are expert hiders, so this is best done by a professional pest control technician. But if you want to DIY, use a flashlight to look in all cracks and crevices, under loose wallpaper, behind baseboards, and inside books, toys, etc. Concentrate on areas around and under the bed.
Preparing for Bed Bug Treatment
Once bed bugs have been confirmed, proper preparation is crucial for effective treatment. Here are some tips:
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Strip the bed and wash all linens, bedskirts, pillows, etc on the HOT water cycle then place them in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This kills all stages of bed bugs.
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Vacuum the mattress thoroughly including crevices, tufts, and sides. Vacuuming helps remove bed bugs along with their eggs and droppings. Place the vacuum contents in a sealed bag and discard outside immediately.
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Remove all clutter from floors and surfaces to eliminate bed bug hiding spots. Thoroughly vacuum the entire room including inside closets, baseboards, window frames, and furniture.
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Seal all belongings including books, toys, electronics, etc in plastic bins or bags to prevent bed bugs from spreading.
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Use plastic encasements on mattresses and box springs to trap any remaining bugs inside and keep new ones out.
Hiring a Pest Control Professional
While some mild infestations can be self-treated, hire a licensed pest control company for moderate or severe infestations. Here’s why professional treatment is best:
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They have access to the most effective insecticides not available to consumers, like Aprehend, Crossfire, Phantom, and Temprid FX. Professionals know which products work best for safely eliminating bed bugs.
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They use specialized equipment like vacuums, steamers, sprayers and fumigation devices for the most thorough treatment. The heat and fumes reach bed bugs hidden in crevices.
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An expert can detect all hiding spots and nesting areas for the most targeted treatment. Trained dogs can be used for inspection and detection.
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Most companies offer a follow-up visit included or at low cost. This helps eliminate any bed bugs missed the first time. Monitoring and multiple treatments give the best results.
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It’s convenient – you avoid doing all the preparation work yourself. They’ll move furniture, launder linens, and vacuum for you.
When hiring a company, I recommend getting estimates from 2-3 highly rated local services. Compare their treatment process, products used, guarantees, and customer service.
Preventing Bed Bugs After Professional Treatment
Once the infestation has been eliminated by a pest control expert, you’ll need to take precautions to prevent bed bugs from invading again:
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Inspect bedrooms regularly, especially around beds and furniture for signs of bed bugs. Use a flashlight, magnifying glass, and crevice tool. Look for live bugs, cast skins, and dark stains.
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Keep rooms decluttered – less stuff means fewer hiding places for bed bugs. Frequently vacuum and steam clean beds, furniture, and carpet edges.
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Promptly treat any new infestations before they multiply by calling your pest control company for follow-up inspection and treatment. Catching it early makes elimination easier.
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When traveling, inspect hotel rooms thoroughly and keep suitcases off the floor and beds. Upon returning, immediately wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat before unpacking.
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Maintain mattress and box spring encasements. Replace if any rips or holes appear so bed bugs can’t penetrate.
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Arrange furniture to allow space between beds and walls. Bed bugs can’t climb smooth surfaces like metal or plastic bed legs.
By taking the time to thoroughly treat bed bug infestations and follow prevention tips, you can successfully eliminate them from your kids’ bedrooms and ensure they don’t come back. As a parent, I know how stressful pest problems can be, but there are effective solutions. With vigilance and preparation, you can safeguard your family’s health and restore comfort in your children’s bedrooms.
