Bed bugs were everywhere before the Second World War, but billions of them were eradicated due to slum clearance plans in Europe, America and Asia. There was so much progress made in eradicating bed bugs that from, say 1945, until the early 1990′s, not many people ever saw a bed bug.
However, since the Nineties, bed bugs are coming back big time. They are now a huge problem in every city in the world from Toronto to New York to London, Paris and elsewhere. Bed bugs are happy to live in clean or dirty properties, they do not discriminate.
Bed bugs are sometimes said to be minute, some individuals even say invisible to the naked eye, but this is total rubbish. In fact, bed bugs are about the same size and colour as apple pips. although the colour can vary particularly depending on whether they have eaten recently.
The problem for this generation, which has probably never seen a bed bug, is the resurgence of these blood suckers. The health authorities in the United States of America is especially worried about the explosion in the number of bed bugs lately.
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of and notoriously easy to get. Bed bugs are impervious to most insect killers because they have a heavy waxy coat which is meant to prevent them dehydrating, but it is also very good at protecting them against insecticides.
The best approach to kill these particular pests is with steam. So, if you have an infestation of bed bugs in your home you have two alternatives. By far the best option is to call in a professional to clean them out for you, otherwise you will have to rent a steam cleaner.
Clearing your place of bed bugs is not an easy task at all. However, if you want to go down that path, the first thing to do is tidy up. Make certain that your reduce the number of places for them to conceal themselves under. Items like ironing, books and newspapers must all be put away or thrown out.
Next, you should wash all your clothes and bedding in the hottest water they can stand, dry and iron them and then seal them in plastic bags. Block up all the holes in your walls especially where the pipes come through. They are bugs’ super-highways from one house to another.
Strip off all your wall paper and fill any holes or cracks in the wall or ceiling beneath. Take up and inspect your carpets and the flooring beneath them.
Seal all the architraves and skirting boards in your house with silicone or mastic. Bed bugs love hiding behind these lengths of wood
Now you are finished for the steam cleaner. Steam the whole house from top to bottom. Steam your curtains, bed, mattress and furniture too and inside your cupboards and shelves. You could also buy a waterproof mattress pad to retain any bed bugs in the mattress.
Now you can relax and hope for the best. Wait a week and keep your eyes open. If you do not notice one, you can redecorate and get on with your life
Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on a variety of topics, but is now involved with decorative bed pillows. If you would like to know more, please visit our website at Modern Throw Pillows For Sale.