How to Keep Bedbugs From Biting Me

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Things You'll Need

  • Metal bed frame

  • Petroleum jelly

  • Vacuum

  • Long-sleeved shirt

  • Pants

  • Socks

  • Mosquito netting

Sleep on a metal bed to keep bed bugs from biting you.

If you've noticed small, itchy welts on your body when you wake up in the morning, you could have bedbugs. To know if the little pests have definitely moved into your home, check your mattress. Bed bugs look like small black discs that are about the size of a bell pepper seed. Once you've spotted the bugs, getting rid of them is the only way to get them to stop biting you. Talk to your doctor before eradicating the bugs to make sure your bites are from bedbugs.

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Step 1

Wash all clothing, curtains, sheets and other washable items in your house in the washing machine on the hottest setting. Temperatures of 120-degrees Fahrenheit and higher will instantly kill the bedbugs. Dry the clothing in the dryer on high, or allow the clothes to dry outside on a hot summer day. Place all of your clean clothing in garbage bags until you are sure the bugs are gone.

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Step 2

Swap out your wood bed frame for a metal one. Bed bugs are unable to climb up a metal bed frame, so they're less likely to bite you. If you can't afford a new bed, apply petroleum jelly to the bottom of the bed posts to prevent them from climbing up and having a snack.

Step 3

Vacuum your entire house from top to bottom. Bedbugs like to hide in dark corners and crevices. Use the hose attachment to get into hard-to-reach areas. If you are unable to get the vacuum hose inside of a crack in the wall or floor, seal it up with caulk.

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Step 4

Wear long sleeves and long pants to bed. While you're battling against the bedbugs, save your skin by covering every area you can with clothing. Wear tight-fitting clothes and socks to keep the bugs away.

Step 5

Place mosquito netting that contains permethrin over your bed. Permethrin may help keep the bugs from biting you temporarily, but it won't permanently solve the problem. If you don't take any other measures to eliminate them, the bedbugs may develop a resistance to the pesticide, which may make your problem even worse.

Tip

Do not sleep on the couch to avoid bedbug bites. They will follow you to the next room.

Warning

Consult a doctor before using permethrin or other pesticides in your room to get rid of bedbugs.

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