Top Ten Tips to Prevent or Control Bed Bugs 10 consejos útiles para eliminar las chinches de cama en español You can compare your insect to the pictures on our Identifying bed bugs Web page or show it to your local extension agent. (Extension agents are trained in pest control issues and know your local area.) Think through your treatment options -- Don't immediately reach for the spray can. Be comprehensive in your approach. Try other things first. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques may reduce the number of bed bugs and limit your contact with pesticides. If pesticides are needed, always follow label directions or hire a professional. There is help available to learn about treatment options. (4 pp, 480 K, About PDF) Reduce the number of hiding places -- Clean up the clutter. A cluttered home provides more places for bed bugs to hide and makes locating and treating them harder. If bed bugs are in your mattress, using special bed bug covers (encasements) on your mattress and box springs makes it harder for bed bugs to get to you while you sleep.
Leave the encasements on for a year. Be sure to buy a product that has been tested for bed bugs and is strong enough to last for the full year without tearing. Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor. This reduces the number of bed bugs. Bed bugs and their eggs can hide in laundry containers/hampers Remember to clean them when you do the laundry. Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bed bug control. While freezing can kill bed bugs, temperatures must remain very low for a long time. Home freezers may not be cold enough to kill bed bugs; always use a thermometer to accurately check the temperature. Putting things outside in freezing temperatures could kill bed bugs, but there are many factors that can affect the success of this method. Kill bed bugs with heat, but be very careful. Raising the indoor temperature with the thermostat or space heaters won’t do the job. Special equipment and very high temperatures are necessary for successful heat treatment.
Black plastic bags in the sun might work to kill bed bugs in luggage or small items, if the contents become hot enough. Bed bugs die when their body temperatures reaches 45°C (113°F). To kill bed bugs with heat, the room or container must be even hotter to ensure sustained heat reaches the bugs no matter where they are hiding Don't pass your bed bugs on to others. Bed bugs are good hitchhikers. If you throw out a mattress or furniture that has bed bugs in it, you should slash or in some way destroy it so that no one else takes it and gets bed bugs. Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites. Thorough vacuuming can get rid of some of your bed bugs. Carefully vacuum rugs, floors, upholstered furniture, bed frames, under beds, around bed legs, and all cracks and crevices around the room. Change the bag after each use so the bed bugs can’t escape. Place the used bag in a tightly sealed plastic bag and in an outside garbage bin. Turn to the professionals, if needed.
Hiring an experienced, responsible pest control professional can increase your chance of success in getting rid of bed bugs. If you hire an expert, be sure it’s a company with a good reputation and request that it use an IPM approach. Contact your state pesticide agency for guidance about hiring professional pest control companies. Also, EPA's Citizen's Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety provides information about IPM approaches, how to choose a pest control company, safe handling of pesticides, and emergency information.Best Camping Mattresses and Pads of 2017 Extra thick and luxurious, today’s camping mattresses are supremely comfortableHow do we keep this site running? This post may contain affiliate links — the cost is the same to you, but we get a referral fee. Compensation does not affect rankings. You might think finding a good dog bed is an easy task, but it’s not as simple as driving to the store and picking out the first “cute bed” you see. Dog beds come in all shapes and sizes and there are literally thousands out there to choose from!
Dogs, just like their owners, have different needs when it comes to a comfortable place to catch their zzz’s.So, what should you consider about your dog’s needs? The most obvious factor is the right size, but you also should factor in her personality, agility, health issues and even the available space in your house. We’ve broken down your options into different categories to make it easier for you to find just what you’re looking for, and we give you some of our best dog bed recommendations based on our research.Here we review the best dog bed types based on a variety of factors: breed, coat type, and temperature sensitivity.If you own a smaller or medium-sized breed, you have a wide variety of dog bed selections since they are more compact. Be sure to keep the bed in proportion with your dog’s size. Buying a bed that’s too large for your dog can leave her feeling insecure, so look for a bed that’s just large enough for your dog to stretch out on. Smaller dogs are also much more likely to get chilly, so it’s important to find a bed that keeps drafts to a minimum.
Nest dog beds are a popular choice for small and medium-sized breeds. Typically they’re round or oval with lots of cushioning and raised sides to help your small pup can feel contained and comfortable. Pay attention to the quality of the filling material to ensure protection from hard surfaces. Our choice is the Big Shrimpy Nest Bed.Editor’s Choice: Big Shrimpy Bed on AmazonIt’s harder to find more of a variety and better quality dog beds for larger breeds than for smaller dogs. Most of the good ones are thick and made of memory foam to give your dog plenty of cushioning against the hard floor. Extremely large dogs can cause the foam to flatten out over time, so you may need to buy a replacement at some point. Or consider choosing a crib mattress with spring coils to provide greater support over a longer period of time.Editor’s Choice: Overstuffed Orthopedic Foam Bed on AmazonIs your dog always cold? A concern for owners of hairless dogs or smaller breeds is their dog’s desire to stay warm.
Simple padded beds just don’t cut it. Consider a bed that allows for burrowing like the Cozy Cave, which gets excellent customer reviews. Nesting beds and slumber beds are also a good option for these dogs because dogs can sink in to the softer filling material of the bed. Some dogs love the feeling of “burying” themselves and feel more secure in these beds.Editor’s Choice: Snoozer Cozy Cave Bed on AmazonThick haired or long-haired dogs have an unfortunate tendency to overheat, and beds that emphasize “snuggling” only add to the amount of heat trapped by your dog while they are sleeping. If your dog tends to overheat while they sleep, the best bed choice for you would be a cot style bed. A cot bed usually features a mesh material for the dog to lay on in addition to legs that elevate the bed off the ground. These two features allow for plenty of air circulation around your dog as they sleep. These beds are also great for older dogs with incontinence issues because of the ease of cleaning.
We recommend the Coolaroo for its excellent durability and excellent customer reviews. And it also makes a great outdoor dog bed!Editor’s Choice: Coolaroo Elevated Pet Bed on AmazonDepending upon the individual needs of your dog, you may be looking for a bed that meets certain criteria rather than a bed that falls in to a specific category. Below we will take a look at beds that suit various situations.If you have an especially smelly dog or just hate dog odor in your house, a cedar filled bed could be just what you need. These beds are particularly odorous and can significantly cut down the dog odor in your house — and your dog’s own body odor, particularly for pups with the instinct to disguise their scent. These dogs will often roll around on their beds so they smell like cedar. Cedar filled beds aren’t as comfortable as cotton filled beds and don’t offer as much padding, and certain dog allergies don’t gel well with cedar filled beds. Otherwise, they’re a great way to keep your home odor free.
Editor’s Choice: Dallas Manufacturing Co. Weatherproof Bed on AmazonRead about How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of CarpetRecycled Materials: With increasing levels of eco-awareness some dog owners are interested in purchasing only eco-friendly products. There are a number of dog beds available that are made from recyclable materials. For instance, the P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle bed is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. These bed options are often more expensive than other options; however, they are usually built for durability and contribute towards an eco-friendly lifestyle.Editor’s Choice: P.L.A.Y. Eco-Friendly Bed on AmazonOrganic: If you’re committed to organic materials, you’re in luck. There are a number of organic, all-natural dog beds on the market that are high quality, comfortable and earth-conscious. Some are made using 100% organic cotton or eco-fleece and filled with all-natural rubber. Other options are dog beds made from hemp grown without any chemicals. Even the dyes used to give you color options to match your home’s décor are chemical-free.
Editor’s Choice: Pure-Rest Organic Rubber Pet BedFor some anxious dogs, burrowing beds like the Cozy Cave (see above) are an excellent option; however, other dogs that suffer with anxiety may be afraid of the darkness or the concept of being hidden or covered. Another good option for anxious dogs is a nest bed or bolster dog bed that features raised sides without the covering over the top. Bolster beds are generally more expensive than simple padded beds, because most are better made and filled with more durable stuffing. Bolster beds also tend to be bulkier than other types of dog beds, so you need to make sure you have the space at home. We think your dog will love the additional support and feeling of having their own “couch”.Editor’s Choice: PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed on AmazonRead about Thunder Jacket’s for DogsElderly dogs and dogs that have arthritis and other joint concerns need beds that are supportive. This means that their beds should be thick and provide plenty of push back rather than simply sinking or relocating filling when the dog lies on the bed.
The most popular choice is the orthopedic memory foam bed, which conforms to your dog’s shape but provides support for aching joints. If your dog is elderly and more prone to bladder leakage, look for a waterproof orthopedic bed or a waterproof cover. Memory foam holds in odor, so keep this in mind when searching for an orthopedic bed for your elderly pup.Editor’s Choice: Go Pet Club Orthopedic Bed on AmazonFinding beds for allergy prone dogs can be tricky, and the answer will depend upon what your dog is allergic to. It is always best to avoid beds that contain fillers like cedar, since they can cause skin irritation. A good alternative is a hypoallergenic dog bed cover, like Teton Dog’s DIY Cover. The cover itself is made of 100% waterproof Nanopore fabric (no chemical waterproofing) and is a barrier against dirt, dust, mites and fleas. And there’s no toxic, allergenic or cedar filling — you stuff the cover with whatever works best for your dog.Editor’s Choice: Design-It-Yourself Dog Bed Cover on AmazonIf you’re striving for space in your home, chances are you have a small to medium-sized dog and need a compact dog bed.
Corner beds are a great option to save space because they fit where most furniture items don’t, making use of unused space. Another option for smaller dogs is a dog bed that also serves as a crate and end table with a removable door.Editor’s Choice: Snoozer Corner Pet Bed on AmazonEditor’s Choice: DenHaus TownHaus Dog Crate on AmazonEven dog owners need their space. If your bed is your alone (or couple) time, it’s important to invest in a dog bed so your pup doesn’t get too cozy and accustomed to sharing yours every night. In fact, a Mayo Clinic sleep study found that a large number of pet owners who suffer from sleep problems have their pets sleep in their bed every night. We’re sure a lot of you dog owners out there will appreciate the following video of dogs refusing to get out of your bed!There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to picking the best dog bed for your pup. Whether you want to go for comfort and expense, comfort and affordability, or have special needs, there are so many varieties of dog beds on the market — the good news is you have options to ensure that your dog is happy and your wallet isn’t completely empty.