Bed bugs may be lurking in your CARPET – how to check and get rid of them once and for all

Bed bugs are nasty critters that, although they are usually found in mattresses, can also find their way into any long fiber carpet.

And, just as they do on a bed, the nocturnal animals can live in the folds and crevices of a carpet without you knowing it, hiding during the day and coming out at night to bite any people or pets unfortunate enough to be around. to be them.

Some bites will itch and cause some pain, while others, according to the CDCcan lead to skin rashes and allergic reactions.

And if you do spot them, it is important to get rid of them immediately – before the females lay eggs.

Bed bugs are commonly found in mattresses, but can also be found hiding in carpets - especially those with long fibers

Bed bugs are commonly found in mattresses, but can also be found hiding in carpets – especially those with long fibers

It is important to get rid of bed bugs immediately after one is spotted because of the risk of infestation.  This includes cleaning rooms, spraying down surfaces and washing clothes

It is important to get rid of bed bugs immediately after one is spotted because of the risk of infestation. This includes cleaning rooms, spraying down surfaces and washing clothes

Bed bugs often bite people and animals that are near them at night and can cause itching, pain and in some cases rashes and allergic reactions

Bed bugs often bite people and animals that are near them at night and can cause itching, pain and in some cases rashes and allergic reactions

Bed bugs are hard to spot because they are so small.

The oval-shaped, red-brown, wingless pests are flat and on average only 1-7 millimeters long.

Immature bed bugs are even more difficult to spot because they are not only smaller but appear to be a translucent white-yellow color.

If a whitish-yellow bedbug has recently fed, it has a better chance of being spotted due to its color changing from whitish-yellow to bright red.

If you think you’ve spotted one in a mattress or carpet, confirm your thoughts with a magnifying glass or any camera with a zoom.

You can too place carpet tape in straight lines or to trap the length of furniture around the crawling pests.

Bed bugs also emit dark mist, which gives people with light-colored carpets and walls a decent advantage.

Once caught, they should be placed in airtight bags and sent to a professional to confirm if they are bed bugs or another creature.

These oval-shaped pests are a reddish-brown color and measure only about 1-7 millimeters in length.  Baby bed bugs can also be whitish-yellow, and are even smaller in size

These oval-shaped pests are a reddish-brown color and measure only about 1-7 millimeters in length. Baby bed bugs can also be whitish-yellow, and are even smaller in size

Bed bugs hide in the folds and crevices of carpets - making them harder for people to spot with the naked eye

Bed bugs hide in the folds and crevices of carpets – making them harder for people to spot with the naked eye

When it comes to eliminating bed bugs, it is not as simple as cleaning, spraying and vacuuming the rooms where they are found.

To get rid of the bloodsucking creatures, you must first clear the rooms where they are found.

After cleaning the room, spray it with tea tree oil or any other bed bug killer spray that can be purchased at most retail stores.

Once the spraying step is complete, wash clothes and other washable items immediately and place them in the dryer to kill any bugs or their eggs that are still hiding.

Apply a diatomaceous earth powder to the carpet or any other carpet material while wearing a mask, and let it sit for 24 hours.

The powder will be an effective bed bug killer, but it may take 7-17 days to show the results homeowners are looking for.

You must take several steps to ensure the death of bed bugs and potential eggs that may have been laid.  Powder is an excellent way to ensure their death, but it can take 7-17 days for results

You must take several steps to ensure the death of bed bugs and potential eggs that may have been laid. Powder is an excellent way to ensure their death, but it can take 7-17 days for results

Once those steps are completed, vacuum the affected carpet to prevent the bed bugs and powder from moving away from the area.

This step is crucial to pest removal, and it’s best to vacuum two or three times to make sure the bugs and eggs are gone.

A heated vacuum gives the pests an even better chance of going away, and constant exposure for at least 90 minutes will kill them.

If these steps don’t work, don’t be shy to call in a professional to fix the problem.

Per the EPAa pest management professional (PMP) should be involved as soon as possible to stop the spread of infestation.

They will likely need to make several visits, as infestations usually require more than one treatment.