Discovering an infestation of bed bugs is one of every homeowner’s worst nightmares. Unfortunately, misguided efforts to get rid of a bed bug problem can actually make the infestation worse. This guide will discuss the best methods for removing bed bugs from your home.

Stop the Spread

The first thing to do upon discovering a bed bug infestation is to keep it from spreading. Anything you take out of the room where you first noticed the infestation should be sealed in a plastic bag and treated, even if you don’t see any bed bugs on the item. Bed bugs gravitate towards furniture, but they can easily spread through clothing and other items.

Salvage Furniture

In many cases, furniture can be saved if it is professionally treated. Working with Preventive Pest Control to treat your furniture could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on replacement. However, you should never remove a piece of furniture from an infested area without first treating it properly. In the event that your furniture cannot be salvaged, make sure that it is destroyed. Leaving furniture on the curb or taking it to a thrift store only transfers the problem to someone else.

Empty Your Vacuum

Whenever you use a vacuum cleaner, be sure to thoroughly empty and clean the container or bag. Bed bugs can easily live inside vacuum cleaner bags for an extended period of time, so seal each bag after use and dispose of it outside.

Prepare the Home for Treatment

While it is understandable to want to rid your home of bed bugs as soon as possible, there are a few steps you should take first to ensure effective and lasting treatment. Without taking these preventive steps, the infestation could come back or even spread. First, reduce the amount of clutter in the home. Clutter gives bed bugs plenty of hiding places they can survive treatment in.

Once the affected area is de-cluttered, move the bed as far away  from the wall as possible. Remove any items under the bed, but keep them in the same room to avoid spreading the bed bugs to other rooms.

Hire a Professional

Working with a professional pest control service is the best way to ensure complete bed bug removal. Professionals can assess the severity of the infestation in your home and help you take preventive measures so the bed bugs never return. A professional pest control service can also kill and remove bed bugs without exposing you and your family to toxic chemicals.

The professionals at Preventive Pest Control have extensive experience with removing bed bugs and other pests from Houston homes. Call today at (713) 983-0869 today to take back your home with a thorough and safe extermination process.