DO
- Hot wash and/or hot dry everything (bedding, clothing, shoes, soft bags, etc.) that can tolerate it. Encase clean items in sealed plastic bags to prevent them from becoming re-infested.
- Clean your mattress and box spring (steam clean or vacuum), then encase them in bed bug-proof mattress encasements. Isolate your bed by moving it away from walls and placing moat-style traps underneath the feet.
- Seal all cracks and crevices in the affected rooms, including furniture joints, around wall trip, loose wallpaper, edges of flooring, etc. This will limit their hiding places.
- Make sure you get information from reputable sources. You can not trust everything on the internet! Federal, state and local agencies and universities are generally reliable sources of information.
- Finally, contact a Pest Management Professional (PMP) who is trained specifically for bed bugs. While it is possible to treat on your own, your chances are much better with a PMP. A list of trained PMP's in your area may be found at the National Pest Management Association website, www.pestworld.org
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DON'T
- Don't use pesticides that are not labeled for indoor and bed bug use, especially on your bed. They can have severe consequences if not used properly, especially for pets and small children.
- Don't move to another sleeping area. If you move to a couch or another bedroom, the bed bugs will follow you, spreading and making the problem more difficult to treat.
- Don't use flammable home remedies such as gasoline or alcohol. Any spark or ignition source (such as a cigarette) can easily ignite the fumes. Such treatments are dangerous and generally ineffective.
- Don't immediately discard everything. Carrying infested items out to the trash can spread the problem. Most items can be encased or treated. If things such as mattresses are too heavily infested to be treated, completely encase them in plastic and clearly label them as infested with bed bugs before removing them from your home.
- Don't forget to empty the vacuum cleaner! Once you are done vacuuming cracks and crevices, immediately remove the vacuum bag, wrap it in plastic, and dispose of it outside.
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