Looking for a Low Cost Solution for Bed Bugs

Dealing with bed bugs has been such a nightmare. Every morning, I wake up covered in bites, and hiring a professional is just too expensive for me right now.

I started by vacuuming up the bugs I saw daily, but it hasn't solved the problem. I've even moved my bed to the centre of the room, but I'm still finding bites and bugs around my pillow and bed corners.

I’ve got a mattress and pillow cover for bed bugs, which makes spotting them easier, but it hasn't stopped the bites.

I've heard about bed bug climb stoppers for bed legs. Do they work?

I've been steaming my sheets, clothes, and small carpet to kill any eggs, but the problem persists.

Can anyone recommend products that are effective in killing or stopping bed bugs, especially when I can't figure out where they’re hiding? I'm really struggling here and could use some advice.

Comments

  • +8

    Ick, I've dealt with them twice (different apartments) and wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy! If you have the money, I'd deal with it professionally. But I didn't have money so this is what I did incase it helps:

    • Diatamateous earth - bugs that walk on it die because it cuts them up and dries them out, I place this around the legs of my bed, chair etc.
    • a bed bug cover - over the mattress and wash/dried blankets. I would NEVER sit on my bed without checking myself and clothes first. Being able to sleep knowing there for sure isn't any bugs is mentally freeing.
    • Vaccum, wash and dryer! As much as you can everywhere
    • Bayer 25g Coopex Insecticide Sachet - Its a powder you mix with water, I put it in a squirt bottle I got from the 2 dollar shop and sprayed the shit out of everything. Floors, walls, tables, chairs, everything. All over my bed frame. I don't think its healthy, but after 2 weeks I was only seeing 1 bed bug and after a month I couldn't find any. This stuff is my favourite when I need to nuke bugs. https://www.bunnings.com.au/bayer-25g-coopex-insecticide-sac…
    • Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of diatamaceous earth, want to avoid chemicals because the kids are young. The bed cover sounds like a good idea. Thanks

  • +1

    Here is the best source of information I've ever found on bed bugs, this guy goes deep on it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAOTJxYqh8

    • Thanks, thats a great video

  • Looking for a Low Cost Solution for Bed Bugs

    Why did you create another account to post this?

  • Just gas the whole apartment

  • Aerosol can and a lighter

  • +3

    fire

    • box of matches are pretty cheap
      .

  • sounds extreme

  • one way ticket to mars
    solves hayfever too!

    • too many joints for breakfast mate?

  • +2

    Another way to make good is to use the hot clothes iron and move it around the edges of the mattress and pillow and small crevices. the heat will kill the egg as well as the legged creature.

    One of the quick and chemical-free treatments.

    • Thanks Darayus. I've got them on my bed frame as well.

  • +1

    With the bed bugs you have to do all the treatments all at once otherwise they will cross contaminate. May want to write off the mattress - buy a new one and keep it wrapped in plastic for a month so that one missed bug doesnt re establish.

    Do a mass hot wash at a laundromat (if you are kind make sure you dont infect the laundromat with bugs)

  • +1

    The Diatomaceous earth you can put in a saucer or plate strong enough and put the legs of your bed on that plate that way they have to cross the substance if trying to get to you. I don't think it kills them straight away but it dries them out. Also if you can get a hand-held steam cleaner cheaply enough you could use it to go around nooks and crannies in the room to kill them. Edite: Basically what is in the Mark Roper video but I can see that the Diatomaceous earth should be a light dusting.

    • Thanks for the link Andy. Have you tried it yourself to get rid of bed bugs?

  • +1

    Every room in your house cleaned and hot wash anything clothing and bedding. It’s a nightmare. Many years ago my brother brought them home. My poor mother…I think she was cleaning for days. Check bags, backpacks, shoes too.

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