Green Your Pest Control: Bed Bugs Begone

Sooner or later everyone has a pest problem. Whether you're contending with a small ant colony or a rat the size of your schnauzer, this week's tips will help you get rid of household vermin in humane, eco-friendly ways.

Tip #2: Make it Hot

Bedbugs are hard to get rid of, so prevent an infestation by checking all secondhand purchases, storing luggage on provided racks in hotels, and encasing mattresses in a protective cover. If you've woken up with the dreaded red bumps, take action quickly. Though there are more than 300 EPA-registered pesticides, use chemicals only as a last resort. First, bag all the affected items to keep the bugs from spreading. After removing any visible bug or egg, wash all linens and dry them; heat higher than 113 ºF for an hour can kill the critters. If your own efforts don't work, hire an Integrated Pest Management exterminator.

Tell us: How have you dealt with bedbugs?