Discovering that bed bugs have taken up residence in your home may be frightening or disgusting, but it is important to take a very active role in eliminating the infestation. They do not leave on their own, or ‘die off' after a while. They reproduce very well and the children are very happy to put the bite on you.

Follow these steps if you have a bed bug infestation:

1. Clean up all clutter so the bugs can not hide.

2. Clean the infested room(s) thoroughly, by scrubbing surfaces that contain eggs and vacuuming even cracks to suck up bed bugs and their eggs. This includes cleaning up all furniture near the bed.

3. Caulk and seal all cracks and holes in the walls, floor, and ceiling.

4. Seal your mattress and box spring in a special airtight or insect tight ‘bag.'

5a. Contact a licensed pest control operator who is experienced with bed bugs.

OR

5b. You might try spraying pesticides in your own home. Proceed carefully and use ONLY those pesticides listed for bed bugs and ONLY according to label directions.

6. Make sure you also know the risks and safety precautions of pesticides.

While the above steps are quite straightforward there is always more to keep in mind. Here are some important ideas, cautions, and tips to remember while fighting bed bugs, or helping to prevent an infestation:

1. Never spray your mattress or bedding. Contact with the pesticide might harm you.

2. If you seal any bedding or clothes in plastic bags it is important to remember that the bed bugs are able to withstand starvation for 260 days.

3. Always read and understand the label if you want to apply a pesticide.

4. Contact pesticides are those sprayed where the bed bugs hide or walk and remain for a period of time poisoning the bugs.

5. Pyrethroids are useful contact pesticides and may be sprayed on the legs of the bed, because they are also repellent to the bugs (make sure the bed is not touching the wall or furniture for this to be most effective). Bed bugs crawl - they can not jump.

6. Bed sheets or blankets that hang onto the floor provide easy access for the bugs to crawl into bed with you.

7. Neem oil is considered a natural insect repellent and may be sprayed on the legs of the bed or other ‘furniture' to prevent bed bugs from crawling up.

8. If you are returning from a house or hotel room that was infested with bed bugs you need to check your luggage carefully. Wash all clothes in hot soapy water, check all appliances carefully, and check the luggage. Leaving the suitcase closed up in a car for several hours on a hot sunny day is effective for killing the bugs.

9. When traveling you should check your room when you first enter. Pull back the sheets and blankets checking for red spots on the blankets, mattress, box spring, and bed head board. Then check all seams and folds in the mattress for the presence of the bugs.

10. When staying in hotel rooms, always remember to keep your luggage and other personal materials away from the bed. Bed bugs will normally be close to the bed and will search for a nearby resting site after taking a meal.

Good luck!