Treat Bed Bugs

I found them in bed frame, rapidly spreading to photos hanged in walls,
they do die when I spray Raid.

I am trying to find a cheap way to get rid of them, not throwing away my furniture, 'cause I am sure they're clean now but they are few wandering in the room

Bed bugs can be VERY hard to get rid of…so I heartily recommend professional cleaners/ use of industrial insectides/ fumigation.

Our building was infested, and our condo became infested, and they have been a nightmare for me. And I am fastidious. They can infect ANY home…even those of clean freaks, of which I called myself before this happened. Now I'm outright paranoid, sleep deprived…etc. (So get a professional on the problem as soon as possible…the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get rid of these things for good!)

FOR THE RECORD: bed bugs infest VERY clean homes as well as those that are dirty. However, because there is a stigma of dirtiness associated with all bug infestations, a lot of people don't want to come forward…get help, or tell neighbours, which makes risk of transmission that much worse.

Also NOT EVERYONE will develop welts/ reactions to their bites. I am very sensitive, and have a ton of allergies, and the only sign of it for me was ANEMIA. My mum (I'm a university student, and live at home) got a very bad reaction - two people, same home, very different responses.

I've been getting so discouraged trying to erradicate these things without success (the fumigators come tomorrow).

We have had to get rid of a LOT of things. More for my peace of mind, since I do not want to move and infect my new home when I move out for good. (My mum is not as paranoid, but I've read up on these things…they are so hard to fully get away from!)

Anyway…

Some things to help reduce numbers:

-get good vacuum bags and vacuum DAILY…very, very well.

-caulk cracks/ areas that are loose/ open to infestation.

-remove loose wood tiles in the floor, and use an insectide on those areas before relaying. If you can locate a nest, you'll cut down on your chances of getting bitten.

-put vaseline around the end of the bed to trap them. DO NOT LET YOUR FLOORS or sheets touch the floor.

-CHUCK. YOUR MATTRESS. The largest number of them will burrow into the bed mattress. If you cannot afford to get an air mattress as a temporary measure, then coat your mattress in plastic. I would coat it in several sheets, taking great pains to seal off EVERY crevice with moving tape.

-Also, consider chucking luggage. Backpacks etc. should also be carefully examined.

-we have a steam cleaner. It is in use daily. I must clean three plus hours a day now. I am not getting bitten AS MUCH, but I still am very anemic, and my mum is still getting hives/ welts - which shows that a "cheap" do-it-yourself method isn't likely to work…

-consider duct taping vents/ common air vents and turning off ac if you live in an apartment. Also in most countries - if you live in an apartment, it is the boards' responsibility to pay for fumigation etc. However, if you need to chuck your things…you'll be out of pocket for those items.

Bed bug removal can be very costly. We've spent hundreds on bags, cleaners, steam cleaning machines, laundry/ dry cleaning alone - and probably several thousands for the fumigators, because we live in a condo. We store clothes in the freezer - so that we leave the house knowing we aren't taking them with us. I, for one, am paranoid about having anyone over, lest they contract them.

They are becoming epidemic, but like I said…they infect ANY home, not just messy/ dirty ones. However, adopting a "cleanliness is next to godliness" mindset WILL cut down on their numbers.

Also, ONLY the adults, at full maturity, can lay eggs. If you can kill and remove them before the next generation reaches maturity, and if you can continue obsessively cleaning until they are gone…you may just be able to rid yourself of them.

But overlook NOTHING. They can hide everywhere. They prefer dark areas that are soft, or wooden, and close to their victims, but they have been found in TELEVISION sets, in books, in photo frames, in computer bases, in vents…everywhere. This is why fumigation is so necessary, even though costly. But, unless you are a home owner, fumigation should be covered by your board.

EXTREME heat kills them, extreme coldness kills them - but not the eggs, which need to be removed, and covered in insectide. They also can go a year and a half between feedings, which makes them even more nightmareish.

I'm sorry you are dealing with this too. Best of luck with the exterminations!

i think i have bed bugs. how do they start and how can i know its a bed bug?
if i do have them would getting a new bed help?

Dirtiness. Unkept / Unclean house. You need to keep things clean on a weekly basis. Don’t wear dirty clothes in bed either.

I have welts and severe itching especially around the area of my feet about 7 bites. I cleaned the sheets sprayed the platform of my bed with lysol and bought a mattress cover. I have not seen any signs of bed bugs how can i determine if this is what is causing the problem without throwing out my mattress or cutting it up to see if ther are any bugs?

Call in an exterminator. Bed Bugs are very hard to get rid of on your own. They can live in other places like your curtains, sofas, and chairs and end up in your bed again.

You can also carry them from one bed to another. Everytime you lay something on your bed, such as clothing, towels, handbags or whatever, they can transfer from that item to other places in your home.

Good Luck!