One of the biggest problems in the pest control world in the United States these days are bed bugs. One of the biggest problems in the pest control world in the United States these days are bed bugs. These pesky creatures were once thought to be completely gone, and any pest exterminator will tell you that the numbers for these annoying pests are continuing to rise. Worst of all, once your home is infested, it is very hard to get rid of them.

Unfortunately, as the number of households infested with bed bugs has increased, so, too, has the number of DIY products on the market claiming to work. Do any of them actually eliminate bed bugs?

- Bug Bombs and Sprays: There are lots of different sprays on the market both online and through your local home improvement store that claim to be able to eliminate bed bugs from your home. While some of them do actually have the power to kill bed bugs, the simple reality is that none of them can help you find all of the bed bugs that might be hiding inside your home. Once a bed bug infestation begins, they’re not just going to stay in the mattress.

They’re going to hide near the headboard, in that tiny crack in your wood floor, or even behind that loose flap of wallpaper. A bug bomb or spray can’t possibly kill all of them, and misused, it can have serious consequences.

- Encasements: There are a number of products that promise to keep bedbugs out. They’re a bit like zippered covers that go around the mattress and box springs of your bed. While these can keep the bed bugs out of your mattress, they can’t keep you from getting infested. Bed bugs can live on top of them, then they can hide in all of the other usual places. They’re a good idea, but they’re not a complete solution to the problem.

- Steam Treatments: There are a variety of steamers on the market today that claim to have the ability to kill bed bugs. While some of them can, the drawback here is not only cost, but also a couple of other dangers. First, steam is very hot, and the potential for serious burns is quite high. Second, though, steam can create a mold problem within your bedding that may be just as bad as the bed bugs.

New at-home bed bug treatments are being developed and marketed every day, but not all of them work. Your best bet is always going to be working with a qualified pest control professional to help keep bed bugs out of your home.

A qualified bed bug exterminator can help. They’ll not only eliminate the infestation, but also give you the tips you need to make certain it doesn’t happen again because a good education can be bug-free.