How To Get Bed Bugs Out Of Carpets

5 Easy Steps To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs From Carpets And Rugs

When you’re looking at how to get bed bugs out of carpets, be sure to take your time and educate yourself before starting. This will ensure you are not just spreading the issue from one section of your home to another. It’s an important process to understand not only how to get rid of them but also where did they come from. This will help you end the transmission process by not allowing them into your house again, or allowing them to leave. (Here is a quick list of all the places that bed bugs typically come from.)

Do not sweep a floor you suspect has bed bugs. Wiping a floor that has suspected bed bugs will only spread the issues. This is because the eggs, nymphs and larvae can be pushed into other areas. If you’re moving out of your home or apartment DO NOT JUST ROLL UP CARPETS AND RUGS WITHOUT CLEANING THEM.

Checklist for removing bed bugs from carpet, rugs or flooring

Please note all the flooring should be done at once. Do not do this process in sections over long periods of time.

• Step 1 – Clear all items from the flooring as if you were going to clean the floor. This includes all furniture, beds, mattresses and dressers. You will have to take them apart if need be. Be sure to remove everything and follow proper prepping procedures.
• Step 2 – Bag all rugs in clear plastic bags. Follow the procedures for handling linens by washing, drying or leaving the items in bags. If you are laundering your rugs use the highest settings possible on your machines.
• Step 3 – You can use a professional rug or carpet cleaning company if you feel the need or have concerns about how to handle the process. Be sure to use carpet shampoo and use a charitable amount, and cover as much surface area as possible.

Quick Fact: Bed bugs bite in groups of three (3). Researchers are still trying to figure out why.

• Step 4 – After shampooing the carpet or rugs you can apply Borax powder or Diatomaceous earth to the carpets, rugs and flooring. This can be spread over all surface areas and left to sit for about 3.5 hours. Both products can be irritants so be sure to read the labels and follow the directions for application and use. Kids and pets should be kept out of the area. The reason for this application is to break down the exoskeleton of bed bugs.
• Step 5 – Vacuum the entire surface area of the home and be sure to vacuum up all the powder and debris thoroughly. Empty the vacuum or vacuum bag into a garbage bag and take directly out to the trash. Do not empty in an indoor trash bin, inside or anywhere near the home.

Quick Fact: Bed bugs only come out when it’s dark. This is learned behavior.

Area Rugs can be put into the dryer if they fit in the machine, are able to be dried and run on the heat setting as references in the laundry posts. You can also use a streamer or heat treatment on wall-to-wall carpet, rugs or area rugs but you must be very thorough. The small size of bed bugs, eggs, nymphs and larvae can make them invisible to the naked eye so missing a spot could result in infestation.

Bare Floors such as hardwood, tile or linoleum are best cleaned with a steam cleaner. Make sure you’re getting into all the cracks and crevices. Steam cleaners can be used in a variety of areas when treating for bed bugs.

If you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner and need some recommendations here are some of our picks.

If you discover bed bugs in your home, contact EnviroPest Exterminators for immediate relief. Our certified team is educated in the most advanced bed bug protocols and equipped with the state-of-the-art resources necessary for complete eradication of these pests. We’re the exterminators NY trusts and we look forward to discussing your issue.