If you’ve done your homework on getting rid of bed bugs, you’ve likely come across the term Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade, a household name in the bed bug war game and when it comes to killing bed bugs, the version from Nature’s Wisdom is magic.

Folks, this one’s actually a no-brainer – it’s inexpensive ($14,50 for 10lbs), it’s 100% natural, it’s odorless and it really kicks bed bug butt!

Be warned though, diatomaceous earth pool filter grade has been heated and chemically treated and will poison any human or animal, so it is an absolute imperative if you have pets and/or children around, that you buy diatomaceous earth food grade for use in your home and not pool filter grade. If you want to know where to buy diatomaceous earth of only the best grade, then forgive us for stating the obvious here but you won’t find a less expensive and more reliable place than Amazon.

==>Click HERE to Order Nature’s Wisdom Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade<==

While it is harmless to humans, diatomaceous earth food grade is a nuclear death trap not just for bed bugs, but any other pest that ventures through it, including dust mites, fleas, spiders and yes, even cockroaches.

In terms of putting diatomaceous earth to work against bed bugs, the powder should first be used in all the likely places bed bugs hide. Although it is difficult if not impossible to get to all these places, particularly when a serious infestation has occurred, you can do serious damage to an infestation by sprinkling the powder in all the likely hiding places such as cracks and crevices in furniture, gaps where the carpet meets the wall as well as gaps in cupboards and closets. Many users have found the powder to be effective when sprinkled around the bed before they go to sleep at night. As unsuspecting bed bugs crawl through the powder to get a midnight snack, they simply dry up and die.

As noted, food grade diatomaceous earth is a powder, so it doesn’t get absorbed – once it’s administered to an area, it remains there and is visible. While this may be a slight negative from an aesthetics point of view, the upside is that you are able to see the powder and therefore able to easily keep track of the areas that have been treated, that is, provided the treated areas are out in the open and not cracks or crevices.

What’s really great about food grade diatomaceous earth is that while this powder is lethal to all types of bugs, it is harmless to pets and children, so don’t be concerned about food grade diatomaceous earth being exposed and out in the open.

The Good:

• Lethal To Bed Bugs But Safe For Pets & Children
• Effective & Inexpensive

The Bad:

• Proper Administration Can Be Quite Time Consuming

Packtite is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ portable unit in which items, which can include anything from clothes to bedding to suitcases, are placed whereafter the unit is then sealed and the unit heated by a device within the unit to a temperature of 120 degrees fahrenheit.

If you’re a fequent traveller, the Packtite is simply a must-have.

So how does it work? Packtite has patent pending heating technology which is produced by a small heater that sits within the unit. Items that require treatment, for example, a suitcase full of contents, are then placed on a rack inside the unit and the zipper then closed. The unit is then plugged in and switched on, at which point a green light will appear. When the light goes off the treatment is complete.

<—-Click Here To Order The Packtite Now—->

Any bed bug life that may be attached to items that are placed inside the unit, simply dies during the treatment. It is really simple to use and no other bed bug killers we’ve tested beats it for convenience. Apart from being far less time consuming than the traditional method of killing bed bugs, which is by washing infected items with hot water, Packtite is also significantly more reliable because it kills all bed bug life regardless of its stage in the life cycle.

What’s really great about the Packtite is that it doesn’t require that you place individual loose items into it for it to work effectively. You can simply place your suitcase, packed with contents, and the Packtite will kill all bed bugs both hidden on the exterior of the suitcase as well as any items that are in the suitcase. The Packtite will also treat items that would otherwise be difficult to treat using conventional means, like shoes, books, makeup bags, anything really. Another very attractive feature of the Packtite is that it does not use any harmful chemicals, which is a big issue for most people when getting rid of bed bugs, and rightly so.

Packtite is highly recommended for treating home infestations, but in our opinion its real value lies in making sure an infestation never happens in the first place. For this reason we believe that Packtite is simply a must-have for travellers. The most common means by which bed bugs end up in peoples’ homes is that they are transported there in an unsuspecting traveller’s luggage. One should therefore seek to counteract an infestation by taking every precaution to make sure bed bugs don’t enter the home to begin with. Packtite is an ideal way to achieve this. Simply place your luggage in the Packtite before unpacking it when you return home and you can rest assured that it will be bed bug free within just a few moments.

The Good:

• Easy to use, effective and reliable
• Not harmful to humans
• Convenient and saves time
• Pays for itself many times over in the long run
• Once-off cost and can be used for life

The Bad:

• The $300 price tag is a little high for some, although Packtite really does pay for itself.

First, have a good look at what bit you, make certain that it is indeed a bed bug. If your problem is with some other insect (like mites) the treatments may not work. To find out if your issue is really with bed bugs place tape around your box spring and your mattress. You may have to wait a day or two, but you’ll catch something. Also, look out for dark spots on your sheets: those are bed bug droppings.

Second, consider a mattress cover to stop you from getting bitten pending the removal of the bugs. Some of them are plastic, but they also make cloth waterproof ones that will be just as effective. Just buy one that zips so that the bed bugs are confined in the cover. The problem with this method is it takes weeks sometimes, months for the insects to starve. While waiting for this to work you may want to try another approach. Try sprinkling some diatomaceous earth into to the cover; it is a natural powder that is harmless to humans but kills bed bugs on contact.

Icon
Product	Packtite	Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade - Nature's Wisdom	Allerzip: Best Bed Bug Mattress Cover	Steri-fab Bed Bug Spray
Rank	#1	#2	#3	#4
Rating	0/5	0/5	0/5	0/5
100% Natural
Safe
Convenient
Guarantee	30 Days	30 Days	10 Years	30 Days
Kills Bugs
Kills Eggs
Prevents Bites
Prevents Infestation
Price	$312,48	$18,99	$89,49	$42,85
Ready To Use
Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review
Link	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site

Next, your vacuum is your new best friend when getting rid of bed bugs. If you’re going to use a vacuum, then before you begin, vacuum up some Pyrethrum. it can be found in most flea powders or other forms of insecticides. By doing this you can be sure of killing the bed bugs you vacuum up, otherwise when you turn off the vacuum they will simply sneak out. As a nightly ritual vacuum all around your bedroom. Having a long wedge crevice tool to go through the corners and other small spaces will be highly effective as well.

Another option is to use a steam cleaner. All insects have a thermal death point. The bed bug’s thermal death point is 115 °F and that temperature needs to stay in position for at least 60 minutes to kill their eggs. You can rent a stream cleaner at various locations for about $25 – $100 usually. Make sure to be thorough and steam all furniture in your home including carpets and drapes.

Your last resort is to call an exterminator. This is costly so weigh the options and remember to price check before committing to an exterminator company. Consider the cost of your mattress set verses the pest controller’s fees. If you go with the exterminator make sure this company has experience with bed bugs specifically and not some other insects. Cleaning your home prior to the exterminator’s arrival increases your chances of removing your infestation.

Prevention:

Once you have finally rid yourself of bed bugs the next step is prevention. Keep up with the vacuuming, as well as using the Pyrethrum before hand. Watching for signs of bed bugs will also help stop anything before it begins. Change your sheet often and check your box springs and mattress.

Skin treatment:

Though bites are rarely serious, they can be very uncomfortable. Some people develop rashes and most will experience itching. Over the counter creams like the diphenhydramine (Benadryl) work fairly well. Hot washcloths covering the bite will soothe the skin also. DO NOT scratch as this may cause a bacterial infection.

1) Bites. The most obvious proof their are bed bugs around, you have been bitten! The bites are similar to flea bites and are characterized by redness and swelling. If people in your house hold are complaining of being bitten in the night then alarm bells should start ringing.

2) Bed bug waste. Inspect your mattress for dark brown fecal stains. Bed bugs excrete feaces where they eat, leaving droppings around the bedding and surrounding area. These droppings look like little reddish brown specs and are visible to humans. They may be found on the bedding but also on the carpets and walls.

3) Blood stains. You may also inspect your bedding for reddish, brown smudges or stains. These are caused by bloated bed bugs either being squashed after feeding or as a result of the bed bug releasing some of the blood it has fed on so as to become more mobile.

4) Smell. Where the infestation has become quite severe, bed bugs can even be smelt by humans. It is quite a sweet smell that has often been likened to coriander or overripe rasberries, although it should be noted that this “buggy” smell is rarely apparent and so one should not consider the lack of a “buggy” smell to be conclusive proof that there is no infestation, that is, at least where human sense of smell is concerned. There are specially trained bed bug dogs that are able to detect infestations with remarkable accuracy.

5)  Eggs and shedded skin. One should also be on the lookout for bed bug eggs and the brownish molted skins of maturing nymphs. Bed bugs go through 5 stages of growth before reaching full maturity and they shed their skin at each stage.

6) The actual bed bugs. The adult bed bug is about 3/16′s of an inch long and is visible to the naked eye. Bed bugs are excellent hiders and so one will invariably have to go looking for them in order to see them rather than just waiting around for it to happen. Bed bugs will set up camp close to where they feed. They are usually found within the seams and crevices of the mattress, bed frame and headboard.

It is always best to catch a bed bug problem as soon as possible. In the early stages of an infestation the signs of bed bugs will be found mostly around the bedding areas of the home, but if not addressed the problem is likely to become more severe. The bed bugs will move beyond the sleeping areas to more secluded areas that are more difficult to reach, making the problem a lot more difficult  to address.

If you do locate any bed bugs symptoms and signs, then don’t panic. Unlike back in the 1940′s and 50′s, there are many great products that are available to get rid of bed bugs that are both effective and not harmful to humans. We’ve reviewed some of the best products in the market on this site. Click here to take a look.

Amongst other things, remarkable manufacturer guarantees make this product our favourite bed bug mattress cover.

The Allerzip encloses your mattress or box spring thereby sealing it off and creating a barrier between you and any infested areas which are left over after treating your bedding . Read on to find out why this is so important.

While it is always advisable as a preliminary measure to treat your bedding with a product designed to kill the bed bugs, the fact is that these types of treatment are unable to reach the core of a severely infested mattress. It is therefore advisable to add a final precautionary measure to ensure that any bed bugs which the treatment failed to reach, are blocked off from accessing you while you sleep. The Allerzip range is very effective at achieving this.

<—-Click Here To Order The Allerzip Now—->

The fact is that dust mite and bed bug infestations are on the rise, particularly in the United States and unfortunately these creatures are not only gross and undesirable, but can also cause a number of health concerns, including allergies and eczema.

The Allerzip mattress covers for bed bugs make it impossible for anything sealed within the encasement to get out and feed on its host, so while the primary purpose of the encasement is preventative, the encasement prevents bed bugs within it from feeding, so they will inevitably die and in this way the encasement serves an extermination function as well.

The Allerzip bedding encasements come in a range of sizes from crib to king, so protection is available for all members of the family, including most importantly, toddlers who are vulnerable to eczema. Speaking of toddlers, another great feature about this product is that it is totally waterproof – it has an inner Polyurethane film on all six sides which repels liquids, so urine and sweat don’t pose a threat to its integrity. It is also guaranteed against leaks and tears for a whopping 10 years – if you get any leaks or tears within this period the factory will replace the product at no extra cost.

Another nice feature about the Allerzip bed bug mattress cover is that the outer layer is made of a cotton, terry-cloth  fabric and not plastic, which means there are no annoying crinkling sounds when you shift in bed. As far as comfort issues are concerned, most people have found that the Allerzip makes little difference to the softness/firmenss of the mattress. It also very breathable and does not make the bed hot to sleep on which we have found is a huge concern for many. Last but not least, it is a breeze to wash – it is machine-washable and can also be placed in the tumble dryer.

Prices for this product range from $67,48 for the crib size to $161,99 for the king.

The Good:

• 10 Year Guarantee Against Leaks And Tears
• Silent And Comfortable
• Easy To Wash

The Bad:

• Quite Heavy
• Zip May Need Replacing After Extensive Use

For those who have serious infestations looking to wage all-out nuclear war on bed bugs, you’ll want Steri-fab bed bug spray in your artillery.

With the Steri-fab Gallon bottle, you can really bring out the big guns and take care of severe infestations throughout the home and still have some bed bug spray left to spare.

Not only are bed bugs really gross, but they also pose a health risk and are known to cause allergies and eczema. The bottom line is, you just don’t want them around and if you are unfortunate enough to have a serious infestation in your home, you’re going to want to go beyond just preventing yourself from getting bitten – you’re going to want to do some heavy duty bed bug eradication.

==>Click HERE To Order Steri-fab Now<==

Put simply, Steri-fab is the ultimate bed bug spray – It’s job is to kill bed bugs and it does it better than any other product available – fact. The only reason we rank it slightly behind the diatomaceous earth food grade, is because it is chemical based, has a strong smell and is not something you want your children or pets to get a hold of. That being said, this should not be a concern if you just apply common sense and take proper precaution.

Our users have had really great results with Steri-fab just on its own, but when coupled with diatomaceous earth food grade, it is even more effective and may very likely allow you to rule out having to call in expensive professionals because these two products, if put to proper use with just a bit of effort and perserverance, will do just as good a job if not better.

Yes, Steri-fab does have quite a strong organic smell directly after spraying, but in our opinion if you have a serious infestation, this temporary smell is a small price to pay for what this product does. It is chemical based, but it is perfectly safe to spray on mattresses. The only thing you don’t want to be doing is have it accessible to children who might be tempted to drink it. Although, this is something you would want to be cautious with even with 100% natural products.

When sprayed on infected areas, Steri-fab kills most pests on contact, but what it is also effective at doing is luring bed bugs that didn’t come into direct contact with Steri-fab, out into the open. When this happens, many users have found that diatomaceous earth food grade powder compliments the Steri-fab treatment, by taking care of bugs that traverse through the powder when trying to relocate from areas where Steri-fab has been sprayed.

If you are serious about getting rid of bed bugs and are willing to put in the effort, Steri-fab is the right way to go and is hands down the best bed bugs spray available. Steri-fab, if used correctly, is a worthy substitute for employing costly professional exterminators. In fact many users have found that after spending thousands on professional exterminators and still not getting rid of their problem, they have been able to the job themselves by using Steri-fab and, as noted, just a little bit of effort and perserverance. We know it’s tedious, but unfortunately the sad truth is that if you aren’t prepared to make a bit of effort in your struggle against bed bugs, they will most likely get the better of you and you will never be rid of them.

The Good:

• Very Effective At Killing Bed Bugs Of All Life Stages
• Lasts A Long Time – 1 Gallon Handles A Serious Infestation With Some Left To Spare

The Bad:

• Not 100% Natural
• Quite Strong Smelling Straight After Application

Perhaps the most significant event in recent history, as far as bed bug treatment is concerned, was the invention in 1939 of DDT, which for some time subsequent to that was considered by most to be a miracle chemical in the fight against bed bugs. However, reports began to surface which suggested that DDT not only caused serious damage to the environment but was also linked to certain types of cancers. As public awareness about these reports increased, pressure started mounting on authorities to cease all use of the chemical and in 1972 DDT was finally banned.

While for a time, many believed that DDT had completely wiped bed bugs off the face of the Earth, this could not have been further from the truth. While this bed bug treatment had certainly put a dent in their numbers, bed bugs were waiting in the dark, and multiplying fast. Now as of 2011 we are in the midst of one of the worst bed bug epidemics the world has ever seen, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. There are even some scientists who believe that the DDT bed bug treatment caused bed bugs to evolve to be stronger and more tolerant of conventional pest control products typically used today.

Modern Bed Bug Treatment

Since the banning of DDT, the focus of modern bed bug treatment has shifted away from the use of harmful toxins to natural sprays and products which are not only safe to use around children and pets but which, if used properly can be just as effective as toxic pesticides, if not more so. The poster child of natural bed bug treatment is diatomaceous earth food grade. This powder, which can actually be eaten by humans and pets as a dietary supplement, kill most bugs and insects on contact. Interestingly, it does not do this by poisoning but by physically piercing the skin of the insect. It is able to achieve this because of its make up on a molecular level.

The first step to exercising proper bed bug treatment is to be certain that you have identified bed bugs as the problem. If you have seen bed bugs in the flesh, that is good enough to be certain but if your only evidence is a bite mark, then you’ll need to dig deeper to make sure because bed bug mites look a lot like mosquito bites. If you have been bitten but haven’t seen any bed bugs, look for other evidence like little black specs or red stains on your mattress, which can be bed bug fecal matter or blood stains from squashed bed bugs.

Professional And DIY Bed Bug Treatment

Once you have identified with certainty that you have a bed bug problem and how severe it is, you can make a decision as to whether or not you want to make use of a professional exterminator or to exercise the bed bug treatment yourself. While professionals can be very expensive (sometimes up to $500 per room), most of them do a very good job and they are usually recommended for more serious bed bug infestations.

Mild to moderate infestations can usually be handled well without the need for professional pest control companies. The main advantages of DIY methods of pest control are that it they are invariably much cheaper than hiring professionals and you also have greater control over exactly what products are used in the process. The obvious downside however is that the process can be quite time consuming (usually a full day but can take a couple of days depending on how fast you work) and can also require considerable effort and often involves a steam clean of all furniture to be sure to kill bed bugs of all life stages including eggs. Again the amount of work involved will depend on the severity of the problem. If you do decide to perform your own treatment for bed bugs, it is advisable to follow our free 4-Step Guide to get rid of bed bugs in under 12 hours. In the meantime, while deciding on what method of bed bug treatment to implement, it is advisable to get a bed bug mattress cover to stop you from getting bitten at night.

]]> http://how-to-get-rid-of-bedbugs.net/bed-bug-treatment/feed/ 0 http://how-to-get-rid-of-bedbugs.net/how-to-check-for-bed-bugs/ http://how-to-get-rid-of-bedbugs.net/how-to-check-for-bed-bugs/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:00:45 +0000 http://how-to-get-rid-of-bedbugs.net/?p=845

FULL REVIEW

If you are going to do the job yourself without getting experts involved, it will of course be a lot less expensive but it will require persistence and effort. The products listed in the comparison table below are the culmination of much testing and are our top recommendations for getting rid of bed bugs.

Icon
Product	Packtite	Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade - Nature's Wisdom	Allerzip: Best Bed Bug Mattress Cover	Steri-fab Bed Bug Spray
Rank	#1	#2	#3	#4
Rating	0/5	0/5	0/5	0/5
100% Natural
Safe
Convenient
Guarantee	30 Days	30 Days	10 Years	30 Days
Kills Bugs
Kills Eggs
Prevents Bites
Prevents Infestation
Price	$312,48	$18,99	$89,49	$42,85
Ready To Use
Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review
Link	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site

There is a certain negative stigma attached to bed bugs products, particularly that they are full of harmful chemicals and not safe for human use, especially if there are children in your home. That may certainly have been the case 60 years ago, when DDT was just about the only means of getting rid of bed bugs. However, today there are some really great products available for both getting rid of bed bugs and preventing them from becoming a problem. We’ve reviewed the best products for preventing and getting rid of bed bugs right here on this site, all of which are both highly effective and totally non-harmful to humans. Bed sure to check them out – they really will make your battle against these nasty creatures a great deal easier.

So, take your time going over the review page of this site and decide what’s best for your needs. In the meantime – while you’re waiting for your products to arrive or if you don’t decide to use products – you’ll definitely want to take certain immediate steps, especially if your bed bug situation is severe. If you aren’t yet sure if you have bed bugs in your home but wish to be proactive and find the bed bugs before they find you, take a look at our chapter on bed bugs signs and learn the signs of bed bugs.

The following is a step by step action plan you should follow the moment you become aware of the presence of bed bugs in your home. Some effort will be required if you are going to do this yourself, so just be persistent – it is very important not to take shortcuts here.

1) Immediately remove all sheets, bedding and all washable clothing and place in a plastic bag. Don’t carry bedding around freely because if there are bed bugs attached to it they may fall off and set up camp in another part of your home. Remove the bedding from the plastic bags and place straight into very hot water to soak for at least an hour.

2) Any items that can’t be washed such as soft or stuffed toys, should be placed in a sealable plastic bag and kept sealed for 3 to 4 weeks. You can speed up the process here by placing the plastic bags in direct sunlight. Alternatively, If you are willing to spend some money on a really great product that will speed up the process, you should take a look at ‘Packtite’. This wonderful device ‘sealed’ the number one spot on our site for best bud bug killer. It is basically a bag in which one can place clothing, bedding, or even a standard-sized suitcase. Once items are placed in the Packtite it is sealed off and heated to a temperature of 120 deg. F. This is guaranteed to kill bed bugs of all life stages. It is certainly the most reliable way of killing bed bugs and is especially highly recommended for travelers.

3) Do a full vacuum of all mattresses and carpets. When vacuuming the mattresses you’re going to want to makes sure that you get into all the creases, tufts and folds of the mattress as this is where the bed bugs are most likely to be hiding.

4) Vacuuming the mattress and carpets will probably not be enough. You should overturn the furniture and do a thorough inspection. Bed Bugs are excellent hiders so inspect all possible secluded areas of furniture where they might hide, including door frames, closets, behind wallpaper, underneath carpets and rugs – just use common sense here and try to leave no place unturned.

If you follow the steps above you might just be in the clear. However, where the infestation is serious it can be really hard to get to all the bed bugs and their eggs. So if after following the above steps you continue to experience signs of bed bugs, you may want to consider investing in a few products. You may also consider getting a professional exterminator however in the majority of cases we do not recommend this route. aside from being extremely expensive, professional exterminations really only provide a temporary solution to the problem. We find that for lasting results people are better off by using their own products. There are some really great products available that not only last a really long time, but are both very effective and non-harmful to humans. We’ve reviewed the best ones on this site so feel free to take a look here.