August 31st 2024.
It may come as a surprise, but getting rid of bed bugs is not as complicated as one might think. Last year, there was an outbreak of bed bugs in London and Paris, causing everyone to feel itchy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the reign of these pesky insects is not over yet. Councils have received numerous calls reporting bed bug sightings, and it seems that the main issue is their growing resistance to the pesticides that have been used to eradicate them in the past.
But fear not, as Nigel Bearmen, the owner of cleaning company Daily Poppins, has shared a simple and inexpensive solution to get rid of these pests. The secret lies in baking soda, which dehydrates and kills the bugs. According to Nigel, the small granules of baking soda can also cause internal bleeding in the bugs by cutting through their shells. All you have to do is sprinkle some baking soda around your mattress or any other suspected areas, and let it work its magic. Make sure to regularly clean and vacuum your surroundings and reapply the baking soda periodically to keep the bugs at bay.
If you're wondering how to tell if you have bed bugs, the NHS has listed some common signs. These include bites on exposed skin while sleeping, blood spots on your bedding or furniture, and small brown spots on your sheets or mattress. Another useful solution is lavender oil, which can be mixed with water and sprayed in areas where bed bugs are present. Nigel suggests combining 10 to 15 drops of lavender oil with 50ml of water in a spray bottle for optimal results.
But what do bed bugs actually look like? They are about the size of an apple seed with flat bodies, allowing them to hide in tiny spaces. After feeding, their bodies swell and turn reddish in color. Female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs during their lifetime, which are the size of a speck of dust. As mentioned before, they leave behind dark or rust-colored excrement on your beddings, which can easily be mistaken for mold or mildew. You may also find their egg shells and shedded skin in hiding spots, along with a musty odor from their scent glands.
In addition to using baking soda and lavender oil, there are a few steps you can take to treat a bed bug infestation. First, wash all your bedding, linen, and clothing in hot water and dry them on high heat. For items that cannot be washed, such as shoes and stuffed animals, you can put them in the dryer for 30 minutes on high heat. Use a stiff brush to scrub the seams of your mattress and then vacuum your bed and surrounding areas. Remember to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in an outdoor bin.
In severe cases, it may be necessary to get a new mattress. However, make sure that all bed bugs are completely gone from your room before bringing in a new one. And if all else fails, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional pest control expert to carry out an extermination.
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