Do you suspect that you have bed bugs? Are you going to exterminate bed bugs on your own or call a pest professional? First, you need to confirm bugs identity.
There are several different kinds of insects that resemble bed bugs.
Thus, specimens should be carefully compared with good reference images to confirm their identity.
If you have any questions concerning the identity of your samples, then submit them to a competent entomologist for evaluation.
Once you are sure that you have bed bugs on hand, devise a good plan how to exterminate them in a way that would guarantee success while limiting unnecessary costs and exposure to insecticides.
Don't treat and don't discard furniture until and unless you have a strategy.
Infested furniture can be cleaned and treated.
Placing infested furniture into common areas or on the street simply will spread bugs to the homes of other people.
Infested furniture intended for disposal should be defaced to make it less attractive to other people.
Don't panic, bed bugs can be exterminated safely and successfully if you adopt a well-considered strategy.
Exterminating a bed bug infestation can certainly be a big task but you should not delay it as the colony can multiply.
If you are like most people, you probably want to save some money and try to exterminate bed bugs on your own.
You can search for the products that can be utilized for pest control and then spray and apply them yourself.
Be careful and don't apply pesticides unless you fully understand what you are applying and the risks involved.
You are legally liable if you misapply a pesticide, or apply it without a license to the property of another (including common spaces in apartment buildings).
Only use over the counter sprays and powders that are designed especially for bedbug extermination.
Clean each room and remove anything that can be washed.
Spray everything else down with your spray and wipe clean.
This will help to kill any bugs left over as well as their eggs.
Once you have everything wiped down, you should go over everything again with a vacuum cleaner.
Do not do a quick vacuuming of the area.
Run the vacuum slowly over every surface several times.
It can be a time-consuming process, and in addition, certain sprays are harmful to breathe in because of the chemicals that are used.
This would be rather impractical especially if you have children or pets at home.
You could cause harm or damage to them if you don't know what you are doing.
If you want to be safe and don't have the time to really clean everything and treat your infested rooms, you may want to hire an exterminator.
A professional and licensed exterminator has knowledge and experience in managing bed bug infestations.
Check a company's reputation.
Ask the them for references, and ask at least a few clients about their experiences before you agree to any contract.
Request a written integrated pest management plan from the professional exterminator.
This plan should detail the methods and insecticides to be used by the pest control operator.
Most people buy sprays to kill pests and after their use they think that the pests or bugs won't come back.
But it doesn't happen.
The pests come back leaving you angry and frustrated.
It's up to you what to do: to exterminate bed bugs on your own or call a professional pest control operator.
But keep in mind the proverb: "Miser pays twice".
You can save money exterminating bed bugs on your own, but if you fail you will only increase expenses in the future.