Bed bugs are very unpleasant contemporaries that nobody likes at home. We present effective home remedies that you can use to combat bed bugs.
For bed bugs, our sleeping places are a particularly attractive habitat. They are so small that they are difficult to recognize with the naked eye and feed on human blood. They are often an undesirable souvenir from hotels, which then spread out in their own bed after their vacation. But you can also get into the apartment via used items or clothing.
Wance stitches are uncomfortable and itchy. If you suspect an infestation in your bedroom, you should take measures as soon as possible to combat the bed bugs.
Nevertheless, you don’t need to be afraid that bed bugs could be a health risk for you. The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) provides all -clear: So far, there is no evidence that bed bugs transmit infectious diseases. In some people, however, the bites of the animals can cause allergic reactions.
Fighting bed bugs: You can see them from that
You can see that your bed linen is affected by bed bugs in various signs:
- Bed bugs are small, brown and have an oval shape. If you absorb food, you can increase so that you can also recognize it with your naked eye.
- Small black or dark red dots on the bed linen or on the mattress can be faithful for bed bugs.
- If the bug infestation has already progressed, you notice an uncomfortably sweet smell.
- To ensure that you get double -sided adhesive tape on your bed frame. If there is a bug infestation, some of the animals will stick and thus bring clarity.
- Bugs leave reddish bites, which are usually arranged in a row and are referred to as the “bugest road”. These red spots are often slightly swollen and have a diameter of a few millimeters to centimeters. The bug bites or thresholds often itch to whisper, but sometimes they do not cause any symptoms. They mostly find themselves on the arms and legs or on the head and neck. Cortisone ointment can help with strong allergic reactions.
Fight bed bugs with cold and heat
Colds like bugs just as little as strong heat. You can freeze smaller items and textiles according to the federation of at least five days at least five degrees to combat the bed bugs. To do this, you can simply put the infected textiles in the freezer. The bed bugs and their eggs do not survive the low temperatures.
Likewise, bed bugs do not survive temperatures above 50 degrees. To kill them, objects should be heated at over 50 degrees for at least two hours – for example in the oven.
Treat and wash affected textiles

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / StevePB)
If you determine a bug infestation, according to the company, you should make all the washable textiles in the washing machine.
- You have to wash pillow covers and Co. at least 60 degrees and for at least 30 minutes to effectively combat the bed bugs.
- For safety, you can treat the clothing at high temperatures in the washing dryer. The high temperatures reliably kill the bugs and their eggs.
- Another way to combat and kill the bed bugs is the steam -cleaned mattress, carpets or furniture with 70 ° C hot steam. However, not all objects are suitable for such treatment.
- Wear the infested laundry in a bag to the washing machine. This is how you avoid that the bugs are distributed in other rooms.
- In addition to your bed, check other textiles on bed bugs, for example curtains or your wardrobe. If you find an infestation, you must also wash thoroughly here.
- You can suck out little infested furniture and floors with a vacuum cleaner.
Fighting bed bugs: relying on professional help in an emergency
As soon as you have discovered bed bugs with you, you should not only try the home remedies mentioned above, but also contact professionals.
Bed bugs can survive up to 18 months without food. So they are very resistant and it is difficult to get rid of them completely. It also does not help to leave the affected apartment for a few days or weeks.
The German pest control association explains that some bed bugs no longer react to home remedies. The experts: Inside, speak of a “so -called resistance formation”. If you have a permanent problem with bed bugs, you urgently need professional pest control.
Typical hiding places of bed bugs
Bed bugs not only hide in bed linen, but can live in many areas of your home. You feel particularly comfortable here:
- Mattress
- Cushions and blankets
- Backpacks
- Clothing
- Wardrobes
- Pockets
- Carpet
- Skirting board
- Laundry basket
- Shoes
- Upholstered furniture
- Sails and bags
- unused boreholes
- Sockets
So you prevent bed bugs

(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / Engin_akyurt)
It is best not to have to fight bed bugs at all. You can take the following measures preventively to prevent you from appearing from you:
- Clean your bedroom regularly and thoroughly. Suck the floors and change the bed linen. You should examine your bed for a possible bug infestation. You can combat bed bugs the more effectively, the sooner you recognize them.
- Glue the feet of your bed with double -sided adhesive tape. Alternatively, you can put your mattress on the floor (in the middle of the room) and attach double -sided adhesive tape around the mattress. The animals then stick to it and you will discover the infestation.
- Check used objects for vermin before you put them in your rooms. The UBA advises not to take used furniture from the road or from bulky waste.
- If you are on vacation, you should check your vacation room on bed bugs. If you find bed bugs, pack your clothes in lockable bags. So you avoid dragging the animals into your own four walls. Wash your clothes at least 60 degrees after vacation. The same applies to used clothing, for example from the flea market.
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English version Available: Getting Rid of Bedbugs: The Best Household Remedies
Revised by Philipp Multhaupt
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