Bed bugs are insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans, most commonly living on furniture or bedding. Their bites can be itchy, but do not usually cause any other problems, according to the NHS. However, it is best to get rid of them if you spot any signs.
Signs you have bed bugs include bites, blood on bedding, as well as small casing shells on or around your mattress. Taking to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, one user asked for urgent help. An anonymous group member wrote: “My daughter has come back from travelling and I think she’s brought bed bugs back.
“I’ve continuously cleaned, wiped, vacuumed, and bought spray. Washed everything, but can’t seem to get rid of them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.”
Bed bugs can and do multiply rapidly, making them a serious pest control challenge.
A single female bed bug can lay a significant number of eggs, and under ideal conditions, populations can double quickly, sometimes in as little as two weeks.
This makes getting on top of them incredibly important, and one way to do this is to put all bedding and blankets into the wash.
Anita Parker replied: “I’m a pest control officer. Steaming is great if you want to use a natural method.
“You should wash everything at 60C. Using baking soda is fine but the strength of the ingredient will be lower than if you were to call a professional in.
“If you are steaming, move the nozzle slowly to ensure the steam kills the eggs. They look like small grains of clear rice with a tunnel in the middle.”
Bed bugs, including their eggs, die when exposed to high heat, which means 60C can “effectively” kill them.
For optimal results, wash and dry items for at least 30 minutes at a high temperature.
Whilst your bedding and blankets are in the wash, try steaming the mattress as well as vacuuming it.
Make sure to look behind the mattress and under the bed too. Once bedding is dry, return it to the bed and observe results.
