A Little Advice For Bed Bugs

A few of the staff at Fred Leeds Property Management have read some nightmare stories online about bed bugs—while they were not written by tenants of any Fred Leeds Properties, the staff at Fred Leeds Property Management want to share some tips for eliminating a bed bug problem.

Bedbugs are a rusty red color about the size of a lady bug. They live in the cracks and crevices in floors and walls, as well as folds and creases of mattresses, sofas, chairs and other soft furniture. They can actually dwell in a wide range of areas, from picture frames to electrical sockets—you simply cannot afford to leave anything unchecked.

The first sign of a bed bug problem usually is the appearance of bites—they can be very itchy and may appear in the form of a red rash or welts.  Be careful—scratching can lead to infection and may require a doctor’s visit and prescription. The best thing to do is to plan immediate treatment to eliminate the bed bug infestation.

To determine that you actually do have bed bugs, closely inspect your mattress and box spring, paying close attention to the areas around creases, folds, seam lines, buttons and handles. If your mattress or box spring has rips or holes in the fabric, you may want to consider buying a new one, as bed bugs will undoubtedly be living and breeding inside.

Often, the best treatment is to hire a professional to get rid of the infestation. Good housekeeping and general awareness is also essential in the prevention and detection of bed bug infestations, and in the preparation of treatment. Here are some tips for doing a heavy cleaning to help eliminate your problem:

1. Remove all infested bedding and coverings from soft furniture. Items that can be washed should be laundered at as high a temperature as possible. If you must throw them away, seal them in plastic bags to prevent the spread of bugs to other areas of the building.
 
2. Items which cannot be laundered can be put in a tumble dryer on a high setting for 10 minutes or more. Another option is to have them steam cleaned.
 
3. All furniture should be vacuumed inside and out to eliminate eggs and nymphs, which are very small and hard to spot. Use a steam cleaner to kill any remaining eggs or nymphs. Bed bugs cannot withstand heat above 450 degrees Celsius.
 
4. Clear out any cracks and crevices and seal them up for good! Vacuum thoroughly and then steam clean the carpeting. Make sure to seal and dispose of the vacuum bag.
 
5. Now apply your chosen treatment, whether it’s spray, fossil shell dust, bed bug traps—or the presence of a professional.

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