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Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

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Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#51

Post by ThrowawayR2 »

lm28469 wrote: post #11
Gys wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read once they get into beds by crawling up the bedposts and by putting something smooth like aluminum cups around the posts, the bugs cannot crawl up. What do you think of that?

Might as well use this https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

There are caveats to using diatomaceous earth. If inhaled, it'll do to your airways what it does to insects. You'd want to avoid disturbing it or placing any where airflow from heating ducts, fans, etc. might blow across it to prevent it from floating around in the air.

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#52

Post by philihp »

sdwr wrote: post #7
Gys wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read once they get into beds by crawling up the bedposts and by putting something smooth like aluminum cups around the posts, the bugs cannot crawl up. What do you think of that?

I'd assume that works for local bedbugs, but is no defense against ones tracked in on clothing, furniture, etc.

Not much can stop a lone bedbug carried in. What you're trying to do is prevent your mattress from becoming a nest.

The problem with DE is it's so inexpensive and effective, and that makes it difficult to sell as a product. I got a 2kg bag of it for $10, and it's enough to last decades.

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#53

Post by newsclues »

fbdab103 wrote: post #31
jamesjuicy55 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I fought bed bugs once with DE, heat, and dry ice traps or you can use a co2 fish tank pump to attract them into a trap. We also placed containers filled with oil at the bottom of each bed post. It took a year but we were successful

Dry ice is an interesting idea. I want it to work, because it is just so deliciously different. However, I assume the harsh reality says that it is nearly impossible to suffocate the entire infestation, and more than a few survivors or eggs would remain after the treatment.

Both heat and cold kill, it just takes a long time at certain temperatures.

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#54

Post by FirmwareBurner »

idlewords wrote: post #46
Gys wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read once they get into beds by crawling up the bedposts and by putting something smooth like aluminum cups around the posts, the bugs cannot crawl up. What do you think of that?

If the infestation is heavy enough they will climb the walls and drop from the ceiling.

Like special forces bed-bug airborne commandos?

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#57

Post by beej71 »

dirtyhippiefree wrote: post #13

Heat treatment is the only sure way to eradicate bedbugs. A neighbor fumigated five times and they still remained…until heat treatment. Diatomaceous earth just scatters them, compounding the problem.

> Diatomaceous earth just scatters them

I'm pretty sure that's not all it does to them.

When I had bedbugs in an apartment I was renting, I caulked up all the spaces by the baseboards where they could get in, inspected the bed and wrapped it in a bedbug-proof liner, washed and thoroughly dryered all the linens and pillows, and then spread DE all over. I put lids under the bedposts with DE in them. And I moved the bed away from the wall.

That was the end of them. Didn't get another bite.

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#58

Post by caesil »

tiltowait wrote: post #3

I worked pest control for a few years until 2021. We all knew that pesticides basically don’t work on bed bugs—it was old news. The article glosses over heat treatments, which is odd, because it really does work, and usually in a single session. It’s a very labor-intensive and invasive procedure, though. The residents must leave the house for 8 hours while the techs bake each room and throw everything around. By the…

Here's how we got rid of them ourselves for cheap:

1. Bought a bedbug-proof encasement for every mattress and pillow. Seals them in and they starve.

2. Bought a handheld steam cleaner and steamed every seam on every piece of furniture.

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#59

Post by ametrau »

cassepipe wrote: post #39

If you ever have bed bugs, do yourself a favor and buy water vapor gun, with a large tank. Adults and larvae die at 60 degrees so vapor is like the nuclear option to them. Also it's non-toxic to you, it doesn't stain and the vapor can penetrate anything anywhere. For example : https://www.kaercher.com/fr/home-garden/nettoyeurs-vapeur/sc...

Do you mean steam? The link is to a steam cleaner. That’s a cool idea.

Re: Getting rid of bed bugs: trickier than ever

#60

Post by adventured »

FirmwareBurner wrote: post #54
idlewords wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the infestation is heavy enough they will climb the walls and drop from the ceiling.

Like special forces bed-bug airborne commandos?

Ceilings can be tougher for them. One assumes with enough bed bugs, the numbers are such that one of them is going to inevitably hold onto the ceiling long enough to get position. However it's recommended to move beds away from walls because they can easily climb walls and fall from there.
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