How to get rid of bed bugs in the UAE
Bed bugs are unwanted, sneaky household pests. They enter your house undetected, then spread and make themselves at home. They can also potentially pose health risks for you and your family. Wondering how to rid your home of these pesky trespassers? We’ve put together a complete guide on how to get rid of bed bugs in the UAE.
WHAT CAUSES BED BUGS?
The unwelcome arrival of bed bugs can be caused by a number of varying factors, but international travel is amongst the most common causes of an infestation. During travelling, bed bugs can hitchhike on luggage and belongings, unbeknownst to the traveller themselves. Used furniture, changes in pest control practices and insecticide resistance can also be problematic.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO REMOVE BED BUGS IN THE UAE
PRE-REMOVAL STEPS
IDENTIFY INFESTATION
The first step in removing bed bugs is to search for areas infested with said bugs. You can either do this yourself or hire a pest control company in Dubai. If you’re doing it yourself, look for bugs in small, narrow spaces like the piping of the curtain, bed frame, electrical outlets, underneath paintings, furniture joints or in mattress seams.
DETECT BED BUGS
The next step is to confirm any insects you’ve found are indeed bed bugs. There are five basic things to take into account when attempting to identify bed bugs – size, colour, shape, smell and wings:
- Colour: Reddish-brown.
- Size: Adult bed bugs are roughly 5-7mm long. Similar size to an apple seed.
- Shape: They have an oval-shaped and elongated body.
- Smell: Musty.
- Wings: They have wings but cannot fly.
You can spot these signs using a magnifying glass or flashlight. Other important things to look for are:
- Dark dots – could probably be shed by bedbug
- Yellow eggs and/or eggshells
BED BUGS REMOVAL
CONTAIN BUGS
Now once you find a bug, try to contain it in a sealed jar with desiccant dust (drying agents) such as silica gel or a soft, crumbly sedimentary deposit (formally known as diatomaceous earth) to hydrate these little creatures. If you’re not sure whether you have captured the right culprit (pun intended), seek help from an entomologist or exterminator.
EXTERMINATE THEM
So you’ve found them and now you’re wondering how to get rid of bed bugs in the UAE. Well, if you’re looking to exterminate them, you can vacuum or apply steam slowly to the infested areas. Another way is to use silicone or paraffin oils directly on them. If you want to opt for a more chemically sound solution, try using insecticides like pyrethrins or pyrethroids.
POST-REMOVAL STEPS
CLEAN INFESTED ITEMS
You’ve got rid of the bed bugs. Good job! The next step is to clean items affected by them. Run vacuum on all the suspected places like bed, carpets, or dresser and put vacuumed contents into a plastic bag. Wash them thoroughly. If any item is not washable, keep it in a dryer for half an hour.
PACK UP INFESTED ITEMS
Put the affected clothes, curtains, or bedding in a plastic container and wash them. Once washed/dried, put them up in a bag and leave them at hot temperature or in your closed car.
CHECK THE INFESTED AREAS
The next step is to fully ensure that you’ve wiped out bed bugs. Check the affected areas once every seven days. Place bed bug interceptors under the bedposts to capture and retain bugs.
LOOK FOR BED BUG BITES
Since you have de-bugged your bedroom, chances are you’ve got a bug bite. There could be a small, puffy blister on your hands or feet. If so, don’t worry, it will go away in a while. If it persists longer, consult a doctor. There are many reputed hospitals in the UAE.
HOW TO PREVENT BEDS BUGS IN THE UAE?
- Remove clutter from all nooks and crannies from your house.
- Ensure your home is extremely clean. It might be worth hiring a deep cleaning company in Dubai.
- Don’t throw magazines or books on the floor. They make a good home for bed bugs.
- Wrap a hypoallergenic cover around your mattress and box spring so bed bugs can avoid sneaking in.
- Clean bedding, curtains, carpets and furniture on a regular basis.
- Fill cracks around baseboards, electrical sockets and baseboards.
FAQs
WHERE TO BUY BED BUGS KILLER POWDER IN DUBAI?
There are a couple of places to buy bed bug killer powder in the UAE. In Dubai, you can search for bed bug spray in Lulu, Carrefour, or other popular Dubai supermarkets.
HOW TO PERMANENTLY REMOVE BED BUGS IN THE UAE?
- Check all the potential infestation areas in your home.
- Trap bed bugs and disperse of them.
- Wash affected items like curtains, bedding or clothes.
- Check the previously infested sites once a week.
WHERE DO BED BUGS HIDE?
Bed bugs mostly hide in the crevices of:
- Mattresses
- Box springs
- Headboards
- Objects or dirt near beds
HOW DO BUGS SPREAD?
Bed bugs are fast! They move swiftly from one place to another by crawling as fast as a ladybug. They can also easily travel on luggage, clothing, furniture and bedding.
And that’s a wrap on our guide of how to get rid of bed bugs in the UAE. If you find these methods helpful, it’s worth having a read of our article on tips for pest control in Dubai. You can also check out mattress maintenance tips in Dubai to contain infestation more effectively.
If you live in the capital and are looking for support in detecting or removing bugs, reach out to these pest control companies in Abu Dhabi.
