How to Get Rid of Bed-Bugs from a Mattress

Preeti tells us the effective way of getting rid of bedbugs. A Different Truths exclusive.

Cimex or the common bed bug belonging to Phylum Arthropoda is found all over the world. Though it is an ecto-parasite it has a great affinity for human-beings as its meal consists of human blood. It is a nocturnal dweller inhabiting dark, damp human dwellings. Their infestation is from roof to floor. Wall cracks, beds, clothing, bedding, luggage etc are wonderful dwelling places for the slim bodied bed bugs. They are attracted by odour, breath and warmth of the human body. Warm blooded animals are also a tasty meal for these blood sucking pests. They are nocturnal. They attack a human being in sleep and cause discomfort and spread several diseases.

They can’t fly but can crawl and occupy every nook and cranny of the house. Bed being the main area of refuge we have to find ways to get rid of these nasty pests from our clothes and bedding. These blood suckers love the feel of fabric and hide in our bedding. Sheets can be washed, sun dried to kill these pests but getting rid of them from a mattress is a cumbersome affair.

Invasion by these blood sucking pests on our sanctuary, the place where we give our tired body some rest, let our grey cells rejuvenate is not acceptable. So we have to take stringent measures to destroy the army of bed bugs, so let’s make a strategy to get rid of them from our bedding i.e. our mattress.

# Create a bug free zone:

Beds must be moved away from the walls and heavy furniture

Legs of the bed should be raised to prevent the bugs crawling up

Bed bug traps to be placed under every leg of the bed

The bugs will get trapped inside the trap and won’t be able to reach the bed.

# Give them heat treatment:

Sheets and pillow covers are stripped and washed at 118*F for 90 min and the buggers will meet their end.

Now comes the mattress which is not simple to wash, as it can’t be loaded in a washing machine

*A steam treatment can be used- a home steam cleaner can help by killing the bugs and eggs.

An expensive affair but does the work well.

*Food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE)- a second natural way to get rid of bugs. This is made of fossilised Diatoms whose body composition is of Silicon dioxide, which dries up the body of a bug coming near it. So DE can be used on the mattress to get rid of them.

* Mattress is first dried

* The DE dust is sprinkled all over the mattress

* The mattress is sealed with a mattress cover to prevent them escaping

* DE will kill them in just 24-48 hrs

* The mattress should remain sealed for 4-6 weeks this will help get rid of them.

*Heating a room with thermal mediation:

Bugs will get killed with the heat, it is highly effective but very costly.

*Natural bed bug sprays: which contains plant extracts like coconut, Mentha, etc.

The spray is used on the mattress and this kills the eggs and bugs. It is a safe method.

*Essential oil Spray:

Tea tree oil spray:20 drops of this essential oil+ water is sprayed from a spray bottle and a follow up with DE can help get rid of bugs from a mattress easily.

*Vacuuming of the mattress: all bugs are sucked in the bag and the bag can be further disposed in a polythene bag.To prevent re infestation.

*Freezing: Carbon-dioxide under pressure can be used to kill the bugs in a mattress. A safe and non-toxic method

*Baking soda: spray the powder on the mattress and keep for a week and then vacuum clean the mattress

*Cayenne pepper+ Ginger+ Oregano Spray: 1 tsp Cayenne+1 tsp grated ginger+1 tsp Oregano essential oil mix in a cup of water and boil mixture for 7 min and then strain. Spray on the mattress every few days to get respite from bug menace.

*Peppermint leaves: crushed leaves can be strewn on the mattress and can be repeated every week till the bugs clear out.

*Black walnut tea: used walnut tea bags put on mattresses helps to eradicate these bugs

*Neem oil spray: 1 ounce of concentrated neem oil+4 ounce water+1/2 tsp soap spray is made and sprayed over the mattress and this will help in eliminating the bugs

*Bean leaves: kidney bean leaves are placed under the mattress and leaves are changed every day, bugs get stuck to the leaves so the change of leaves must be done, to get rid of them.

*Clove oil: 1 tsp clove oil+ 1 cup water is mixed and sprayed on the mattress which helps to remove the bugs

*Nettle cure: Last but not the least people in mountain regions use the nettle to get rid of these pests. Mattress is put under a water stream for 3-4 days and a nettle plant is kept upstream to help the water disinfect the mattress and after 4 days mattress is sun dried and voila no bugs

Photos sourced by the author

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Dr. Preeti Talwar

Dr. Preeti Talwar is a science doctorate, freelance writer and blogger. She is passionate about writing and has made her mark on print and digital media. She has published in The Chicken Soup Series. She has worked as an online proofreader with Thakur Publications. Her passion is to write and become a prolific writer. Her other hobbies are painting, reading and cooking. She is a perfectionist and wields the pen and ladle with elan.

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