As soon as you realise that you have a bed bug infestation, it is important to get the situation under control. Acting immediately can save you more hassle in the long run.

The length of time it takes for an egg to become an adult bed bug is about 1.5-2 months. Therefore, the infestations happen gradually. You can take advantage of this time to kill off the entire colony and stop the reproduction cycle from continuing.

DIY Methods

DIY methods are usually more cost-effective. However, they can be time-consuming and require a degree of patience. A benefit to using DIY methods of treatment is that you avoid the harsh chemicals found in professional treatments, which is something you may need to consider if you have a pet.

Some of the most common DIY methods of treating your bed bug infestation are the following:

Using your vacuum cleaner

Using a powerful setting on your vacuum cleaner to hoover up the bed bugs can help keep your infestation at bay. It is not considered to be 100% effective, but there are certain tricks you can employ for better results.

  1. When hoovering fabric, don’t press too hard with your attachment. You don’t want to accidentally knock off the bed bugs onto another surface.
  2. You need to immediately remove the bed bugs from the vacuum bag once you are done. Hoovering them up won’t kill them and there is a chance they might escape. You will need to seal up the vacuum bag before throwing it away.
  3. If you don’t have a vacuum bag, you should empty the contents into a bag which you can seal and then thoroughly clean the removable canister with hot, soapy water.

Wash all clothes and bedding

This is another cost-effective method. You can do this following these simple instructions:

  1. Keep the bedding and clothes which have been infested separate from the rest of your laundry in sealed bags.
  2. Dispose of these bags safely.
  3. The clothes and bedding must be washed and then dried at the highest temperature they can stand.
  4. If you are short of time, you don’t necessarily need to wash your clothes and bedding first. A 30-minute cycle in the tumble dryer will be sufficient to kill all the bed bugs and their eggs.

Professional Help

Turning to professionals for help with your problem will cost more but is likely to be more efficient, especially if the problem is widespread in your home.

Typically, a professional will first of all carry out an inspection. This may be free of charge, depending on the company you use. Once the initial inspection is carried out they will come up with a plan tailored to your needs. They will then come back to treat your home. They may use treatment ranging from heat boxes to sprays or even fumigation. Some companies may also use the vacuuming and/or steaming method before using pesticide.

So how much does a bed bug treatment cost? A one-off treatment for your bed bugs is likely to cost of £995-£2500 depending on the size of the property.

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