Bed bugs can be a particularly nasty pest. In addition to looking unsightly, bed bugs can cause you sleepless nights and itchy mornings. Luckily, there are a few ways to get rid of bed bugs. Read on and discover just a few of the most effective ways of ridding your home of these awful little beasts. If a number of these methods don't work for you, or if the infestation is far too great, it is in your best interest to call on the services of pest control.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomacaeous earth is a fine powder that is made from fossilized diatoms. It is unharmful to humans and pets, but can truly destroy any would-be insect invaders. This is due to the fact that, on such a small level, the edges of the fossilized phyloplankton are razor sharp. Being coated in diatomaceous earth can also suffocate bed bugs by coating their exoskeleton and not allowing them to breathe. Simply spread a bit of diatomaceous earth around your bed each night before you go to sleep, and within a few days, the bed bug invasion is sure to taper off.

Wash And Dry All Fabrics

Anything that possibly could have come into contact with bed bugs – clothes, linens, bed sheets, etc. – should be washed in hot water and dried in a dryer, immediately. This is due to the fact that, while bed bugs do prefer warmer environments, they cannot live in conditions of extreme heat. The combination of hot water and being sent through a dryer oftentimes wipes them out completely.

Vacuum Cleaners

This method works great in conjunction with washing and drying your clothes. After they have been adequately dried, lay your clothes down flat and, using the suction add-on for your vacuum cleaner, begin giving them a good once-over, front and back. This will suck up any stray bed bugs that are still making their home on your clothes after being sent through the hot heat of the dryer. It will also pick up any stray bed bug corpses that are still situated on your clothes. It's also good to give your mattress and corners of offending bed-bug-infested rooms a good vacuum, as well.

Bed bugs can be a maddening experience, but getting rid of them isn't the complete impossibility that you may have heard it is. These methods should work quite effectively. For more information, contact a bed bug control service in your area.