Bed Bug Cleanup 

If you have been unfortunate enough to get bed bugs in your home, you likely realize how difficult, and expensive, they are to get rid of.  The thought of bed bugs make some people’s skin crawl.  And the thought of having to do work to prepare your house for an exterminator doesn’t appeal to most people.  Don’t worry.  Here are some tips to help you get started with your bed bug cleanup project.

Bed Bug Cleanup

1.  Look Up

Female bed bugs generally crawl up walls during the day time.  It is common to find them at the top of curtains and/or drapes, behind picture frames, and in the crack between the ceiling and top of the wall.  Look in these areas to see if you can spot them.  This is a great first step in locating the bugs and eliminating them.  If you find bugs in these areas, use a vacuum cleaner to trap them.  Vacuum all crevices, walls, drapes, curtains, and behind pictures to reduce the number of live bugs and eggs in your home when you perform bed bug cleanup.

2.  Pull Everything at least 12″ Away From the Walls

Your exterminator will generally need to apply a pesticide to the base of the walls to all affected rooms.  Items such as desks, chest of drawers, vanities, beds, chairs, bookcases, and other large pieces of furniture should be pulled away from the walls to allow enough room for the pesticide to be applied properly.  When the female bugs descend the walls at night, they will generally pass over the pesticide and ingest it.  You should vacuum the areas left by the gap thoroughly as well.

3.  Remove All Switchplate Covers

Bed bugs can get into very small areas.  The open areas behind electrical outlet covers can provide excellent protection for bed bugs.  It isn’t uncommon for the bugs to breed in these areas.  Removing the covers will allow you to vacuum the contents and will allow your exterminator to apply the pesticide to the inside of those areas.

4.  Laundry

Bed bugs can get onto clothing, both hanging in the closets and inside chest of drawers.  Some of the clothing will have eggs on it, which may hatch later.  Plan to dry all of the linens in the home on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes to kill the bugs and eggs on them.

To find advanced biohazard remediation companies that can assist with bed bug cleanup, visit ABRA at https://www.americanbiorecovery.org/.  To find advanced biohazard remediation companies specializing in bed bug cleanup in Columbia, South Caroina, visit Palmetto Commercial Services at  https://www.palmettocommercialservices.com.