1 Answer

Instructions

Things You'll Need
Plastic bed wraps
Plastic pillow wraps
Duct tape
An exterminator
Rubbing alcohol
1
Recognizing bedbugs early is the key to effective extermination. Usually people notice bites or other signs before seeing an actual bedbug. Look for: small, red bumps or bites on your arms and legs; and black or red marks or tiny tears in your mattress, box spring, and pillows.

2
Bedbugs usually come out in the wee hours of the morning, so if you suspect you have them, wake up between 4 am and 6 am and examine the mattress. Bedbugs are generally about the size of the average flea and are reddish-brown.

3
Once you have determined, or at least suspect, you have bedbugs, you must address the problem immediately! If you live in an apartment building, contact your superintendent and/or landlord as soon as possible. It is the landlord's responsibility to pay for the extermination AND alert your neighbors.

4
While a trustworthy exterminator will do most of the job, you must take several steps to banish bedbugs. First, launder all of your clothes, towels, blankets, etc. Dry everything thoroughly on the hottest settings, as heat is one of the few things that effectively kills bedbugs.

5
Next, wrap your mattress, box spring and pillows in plastic or synthetic wraps that zip or seal closed. You can find these at most Bed Bath and Beyond or Target stores. Seal the zippers shut with duct tape.

6
As tempting as it may be, do NOT sleep on your couch to escape bedbugs. They will follow you and then you will have a bed AND a couch full of them.

7
Store your clothes, towels etc in resealable bags to prevent further infestation. Bedbugs usually only like to live in your bed, but they will move to your clothes and rugs if desperate!

8
A knowledgeable exterminator knows he or she must spray at least two or three times in order to wipe out a bedbug infestation. In many cases, it is more. In between visits, a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol can be used in bedbug "hotspots"-- bed frames, etc.



Read more: How to Get Rid of Bedbugs | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2115841_rid-bedbugs.html#ixzz1POuMmprK

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