Have a friend battling fleas and bedbugs..and like most cant afford to

Mary
by Mary
  12 answers
  • Nan W. Nan W. on Apr 15, 2020

    Mary: big issues like this --- call in a pro!

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 15, 2020

    Hi Mary,

    For the bedbugs, call in the professionals, they do this for a living and have the training, tools, knowledge, and chemicals to get rid of these pests. Plus a warranty, they know where to look and treat. Most people do not have this skill and I would advise against any home remedy.

    While they are there, they can take care of the fleas. Your friend may want to give the animals a flea treatment while the pro's take over the house.

    Best to you and your friend.

    Have her get on this immediately, bed bugs spread like crazy if they haven't already.

    Sorry it will cost, but more than worth it. They may take a payment plan. NO home remedy here.

  • Gk Gk on Apr 15, 2020

    Home remedies can be just a bandaid for battling fleas and bedbugs. They may work temporarily but not for the long term. A professional would be the best bet. Perhaps friends could gather together some cash and contribute to the bill. This is a hard time for everyone and we need to take care of each other in the ways we can.

  • William William on Apr 15, 2020

    Home remedy's may work for the short term but may or may not work


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/furniture/quick-tips-for-keeping-your-home-bed-bug-free-4097313


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/keep-bed-bugs-out-of-your-home-5178951


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/homemade-flea-repellent-for-home-13368995


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/pet-stuff/diy-fleas-repellent-for-dogs-12609481

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 15, 2020

    Hello there,

    If a Rented property - tell the Landlord. If Private - call in the professionals,

    otherwise ask you Local Authority - Pest department if they can help! Best wishes.

  • Dee Dee on Apr 15, 2020

    You also need to treat the yard. I use Amdro Flea killer. It is on sale at Lowes right now 1/2 price $5.88. For the inside I use Home Defence spray. It really does a great job.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Apr 15, 2020

    Bedbugs are not a DIY job unfortunately.

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Apr 16, 2020

    Hi Mary, OMG......we thought we had bedbugs right before the coronavirus stuff broke out. Stressful to say the least!!!! First....


    You want to make sure by checking the bed and mattress. This is where I didn't see any evidence. If no evidence can be seen there, then I think you probably don't have them. I was convinced we had them because I woke up with a few bug bites a couple nights in a row. But without any evidence in the bed and mattress, I had to determine that maybe it was something stuck on my clothing before I went to bed.


    You would be seeing something inside the seams and zippers of the mattress. Look in the corners. You want to be sure you see something before you go to all the trouble.


    If you do see something.....You will want to clean EVERYTHING!!! We did this anyway because I was so freaked out. Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum. That means taking the mattress off the bed and vacuuming the bottom of the mattress, the bed frame, underneath the bed(while the mattress is off).. Behind the bed, in every corner, nook and cranny. Behind furniture! EVERYWHERE!!!


    Then we bought a gallon of alcohol. This will be hard to come by right now though. But whenever you do get a hold of it, also buy a new bug spray container that sprays out in a mist. You can get it at Home Depot! We put all the alcohol in the bug sprayer and sprayed the entire mattress underneath and on top. Let it air dry! Repeat every few days.


    Bedding.....wash everything and keep changing the sheets every day or as often as you can. If you have ever had lice in the house with the kids....this is similar. Bag whatever bedding you don't need and let it sit out for over 2 months. Only put bedding on your bed that you can wash often. Your sheets and a blanket or quilt is all you need....something that is easy that you can wash consistently multiple times per week. Sleep on a rolled up towel that you can wash multiple times per week as well. Also put all pillows in the dryer on high heat and leave those pillows out for over 2 months if you can.


    So far we are good but like I said, I wasn't exactly sure we had them. I did this process just in case.


    As for fleas, I would imagine things are similar but I am not sure how you would handle that. Good luck!

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Apr 16, 2020

    We have used bug bombs to rid house, garage, and crawl space in the past to get rid of spiders and other bugs. These are set onto newspaper of cardboard. Then you open the top and lock nozzle open. The aerosol sprays into the area and kills bugs. You have to leave the area for a while and not have open food or pet dishes out. Follow instructions on the can.

  • Suzy Suzy on Apr 18, 2020

    Diatomaceous Earth vacuum everything then dust with diatomaceous earth, if they are on your bed get a bed bag and cover your mattress and pillows. Check every day and every night before going to bed. You can get canning lids and put the earth around the legs of the bed and or sofas and chairs.