Bedbugs have been a public nuisance for most of human history, but they were largely eradicated in the 20th century. Unfortunately, they have come back with a vengeance in recent years for a variety of reasons, including the ban on DDT and other toxic insecticides, and the increasing mobility of people everywhere. This article will cover tips on how to keep bedbugs out of your home.
As soon as you see evidence of bedbugs, you should attempt to contain the critters. Bedbugs have a way of spreading throughout an entire house. For this reason bedbugs should be confined and treated like a highly infectious disease to prevent them from infesting your entire home. But the point is that you don’t want to subject other people to your problem, or you won’t be very popular. For example, if you have a serious infestation of bedbugs, don’t ask a friend or relative if you can stay at their place for a few weeks -you’ll only spread the problem to their house. It should also be noted that you should not donate or give away furniture which have been exposed to bedbugs.
There are certain natural substances that can repel bedbugs. Typically used in aromatherapy, lavender oil is one such repellent. Most people enjoy the smell of lavender and therefore it is great for keeping bedbugs away. If you are ironing, or rinsing your clothes, you can use lavender oil. Adding lavender oil to water in a spray bottle is a great way to do this. Lavender based body lotions are ideal for using on your skin opposed to concentrated essential oils.
You cannot eliminate bedbugs with the strategies presented thus far, however they will help you prevent a serious infestation from occurring.
Preventing an infestation of bedbugs in your home can be stopped by simply not buying and utilizing secondhand items. Though it may save you a few dollars, bringing a used piece of furniture into your home, without inspecting it, may lead to an infestation. Remember that, although bedbugs are small, they are large enough that they can be seen with the naked eye. One infested item can cause a major problem due to the fact that bedbugs can lay eggs and spread very quickly. It is best to avoid purchasing used upholster furniture, mattresses, or couches.
The small size of bedbugs is misleading as they are one of the most difficult pests to deal with because of their hardy nature. By monitoring habits that may lead to an infestation, and making a concerted effort, you should be able to eliminate bedbugs from your home. The above measures can be helpful in eliminating these pests, but in some cases a professional pest control service is the only solution.