Bedbugs can be termed as the most difficult and stubborn pests. For you to get rid of them then it is important to understand them.
- Do not underestimate them; bed bugs take a lot of knowledge, experience, time, and effort to deal with successfully.
- You need to keep a heightened level of vigilance to assure you are properly prepared to detect and deal with bed bugs.
- Bed bugs can last a long time without feeding. Some references indicate bed bugs can survive about one year without feeding under ideal conditions. Of course we are dealing with live entities, and longevity is based upon local conditions. As such, your mileage may vary.
- In a bed bug video session conducted recently, we witnessed an adult bed bug successfully scale a one cup Pyrex glass bowl not once, but twice. Subsequent inspection of the bowl under magnification revealed that the bowl may have been slightly dirty or dusty and there were small ridges in the glass invisible to the unaided eye. As such, be sure your pitfall-type traps are clean and suitably smooth. Additionally, place a small amount of a suitable dust/powder such as talc as this will help to prevent bed bug escape.
Sourced from: http://www.acacamps.org/resource-library/camping-magazine/over-201-things-know-about-bed-bugs
Dealing with bedbugs effectively requires that you identify the areas in the house where they have infested. If you find them then let the landlord know in case your neighbor’s house is also infested. Develop a strategy and ensure that the bugs don’t spread to other areas in the house.
Identify the Problem
Inspect infested areas, plus surrounding living spaces, to determine extent of infestation.
Correctly identify the pest.
Collect a sample to show an extension agent Exit or other reliable expert in entomology.
Extension agents are trained in pest control issues and know your local area.
If you have bed bugs and live in an apartment, notify your landlord, because the units surrounding yours should be inspected.
Landlords may have a responsibility to participate in treatment. Check the housing codes and laws in your area.
Develop a Strategy
Using a calendar, map out each stage based on the recommendations in the following sections.
Plan to keep records through the whole process – including dates and locations when pests are found.
Leave time for long-term monitoring to make sure all of the bed bugs are gone.
Keep the Infestation from Spreading
Take steps to have infested items picked up as soon as possible by the trash collection agency.
Sourced from: https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/do-it-yourself-bed-bug-control