Until recently, the phrase ‘sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite’ had lost much of its meaning, as bed bugs really weren’t an issue. However, in the past decade or less, they have made quite a comeback in many homes across the US. Adult bed bugs are small and oval-shaped insects that often inhabit the nooks and crannies of mattresses, and live on the blood of both animals and humans.

Female bed bugs have the potential to lay hundreds of eggs over their lifetime, which can turn a small issue into a large infestation before you know it.

Although we recommend calling for expert help when removing bed bugs from your home, there are things you can do to get rid of them and prevent their return:

• Wash your bedding, linens, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the hottest setting available. Run any shoes, stuffed animals, or other items that cannot be washed in the dryer for about 30 minutes to help kill off any bed bugs or eggs that may be present.
• With a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the crevices of your mattress to dislodge bed bugs and their eggs before vacuuming them.
• After vacuuming the mattress and surrounding area, toss the vacuum bag away immediately or clean the receptacle on your vacuum cleaner to prevent them from re-entering your home.
• Clean and remove any clutter under or around your bed to reduce the number of hiding places they have to live.

In the case of a very severe infestation, removal and replacement of the mattress may be necessary. But before you do that, call the bed bug specialists here at Critter Control® of Dallas at 817-222-1101. We can schedule a free home consultation and help build a removal plan that works for your specific needs and budget.