Brandon Runyon
Entomology and Pest Control Expert
Education
- MBA, Western Governors University
- MS, University of Nebraska, Entomology
- BS, Purdue University, Entomology
Certifications & Organizations
- Board-Certified Entomologist
- Licensed Entomologist in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois
- Top 20 under 40, 2020, Evansville Indiana
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Forum Comments (9)
If you don’t see them there, check the headboard, especially where the seams come together. They prefer wood over metal, so they’ll often hide in small cracks. You can also check nightstands, books, and even dresser drawers. In homes, you should also inspect baseboards since bedbugs spread as the population grows.
If you’re bringing in second-hand furniture—especially upholstered pieces—inspect the seams, zippers, and hidden crevices. That’s a common way they get introduced into homes.
A simple solution is soapy water. A mild detergent spray can be effective because it dries them out. Neem oil is another great natural treatment. My wife and I use it on our houseplants—it works well against mites and other pests like scale insects.
If mites are found in non-plant areas, use sticky tape to physically remove them. I generally don’t recommend applying pesticides inside homes for spider mites since they aren’t harmful to humans. Simple moisture control and regular plant maintenance should keep them in check.
If you don’t see them there, check the headboard, especially where the seams come together. They prefer wood over metal, so they’ll often hide in small cracks. You can also check nightstands, books, and even dresser drawers. In homes, you should also inspect baseboards since bedbugs spread as the population grows. If you’re bringing in second-hand furniture—especially upholstered pieces—inspect the seams, zippers, and hidden crevices. That’s a common way they get introduced into homes.
To get rid of them in your home, you have a few options. If you relocate within the house—say, from your bed to the couch—you risk spreading them. Instead, stay in the affected room so treatment can be effective. Chemical treatments work by allowing the bugs to come in contact with the pesticide, while heat treatments kill them outright. Either way, you are the food source, so they will seek you out.
For DIY treatments, you can buy liquid or dust applications at home improvement stores, but always follow the label instructions. However, I strongly advise against attempting a heat treatment yourself. Too many people have burned their homes down using propane heaters or other unsafe methods. If you opt for heat treatment, hire a professional. Steaming can also be effective for targeted areas. It won’t burn your house down, but you do need a steady, high-temperature steam output for it to work effectively.
Here are some tips for both treatment and prevention:
– Exclusion helps—sealing up any open areas in your attic, for example. You also want to time any pesticide applications to when they’re about to enter and when they start coming out. If you’ve lived in your home long enough, you probably know when they show up every year. Treating the exterior of your home before they enter is key—especially around rooflines or anywhere they can crawl inside.
–For DIY treatment, there are always options for homeowners. You can use borate-based insulation in your attic—it helps deter them when they crawl in. A homeowner can use over-the-counter products as long as they are properly labeled. For example, Ortho Home Defense Max is an indoor barrier treatment. Seven and other over-the-counter insecticides are also options. The key is to apply treatments in the right areas—around windows, under eaves, and near loose siding where stink bugs tend to enter. The other key is to check the label before buying an at-home treatment. Both homeowners and professional operators are legally required to follow the product label instructions. Labels change periodically due to EPA regulations, so it’s essential to stay updated. Some pesticides are also restricted in certain states, so it’s important to check that the product is allowed where you live.
– Hire a professional. You can buy over-the-counter products, but efficacy depends on your knowledge, application timing, and location. It’s like plumbing—you can watch a YouTube video and attempt it yourself, but it’s usually cheaper in the long run to hire a professional. You’re not just paying for the chemical, you’re paying for expertise.
– Prevention: as far as preventing more from coming in, you need to pay attention to the behavior of the insects so you know their timing for the future and can time treament correctly. For example, if you know you start seeing stink bugs every October or November, you should treat beforehand. Either call a pest control company or apply the treatment yourself before they start moving in. Overall, exclusion, proper insulation, and well-timed treatments all play a role in reducing their numbers.
–American Cockroach: Large, usually found in wet areas like basements and boiler rooms. Reducing moisture and sealing entry points can help.
–Oriental Cockroach: Similar to the American cockroach, thrives in damp environments.
–German Cockroach: The most common household pest, particularly in apartments and kitchens. Identifiable by two black stripes on the pronotum.
For German cockroaches, sanitation is key. Clean food spills, remove clutter, and use bait traps rather than sprays for better targeting. If you live in an apartment, cockroach infestations can spread between units, so contacting building management or professional pest control is often necessary.
Co-authored Articles (41)
How to
Care for Blue Death Feigning Beetles
Blue death feigning beetles, sometimes also called ironclad beetles, are native to the American southwest. These beetles secrete a wax-like substance that protects them from the sun and gives them their blue color. When ...
How to
Care for Millipedes
Unlike centipedes, millipedes are docile, harmless, and gentle creatures, despite how creepy their segmented bodies and hundreds of legs look. Contrary to popular belief, millipedes are not actually insects and are inste...
How to
Make a Millipede Habitat
The millipede is a long and narrow invertebrate that you can find living under rocks and in decaying logs in all parts of the globe.. 13 February 2024. The millipede is from the same biological family as the centipede, b...
How to
Catch and Care for a Jumping Spider
Spiders have earned a bad reputation for being creepy and crawly. But they can actually make really fun and interesting pets. The jumping spider is a good bet. It is not considered dangerous, and it can entertain you wit...
How to
Use Castor Oil As an Insect Repellent
Castor oil has been used as a natural insect repellent as far back as Greek antiquity. To take advantage of castor oil's natural insect-repelling properties, mix it with another essential oil. Pour the mixture into a sp...
How to
Use Mint As an Insect Repellent
Mint plants are one of many aromatic herbs that have been used for centuries and have been passed down for generations. Although the plants' main uses are for culinary and medicinal purposes, the mint plants are also kno...
How to
Make a Praying Mantis Habitat
Praying mantises are interesting and interactive insects that live in rainforests and grasslands all over the world—and they can also be kept inside with the right habitat. Making their habitat is a quick and easy pro...
How to
Make a Worm Habitat
A worm habitat is a great place to keep your pet worms, and unlike a worm farm, it will allow your worms to thrive and live a long lifespan. Worm habitats are relatively simple to make, but will take a little bit of prep...
How to
Care for a Centipede
Centipedes can be fascinating pets, but can be dangerous. They are strong and venomous to humans, though not deadly. In order to best care for a centipede, it's important to find the right habitat for your centipede, fee...
How to
Keep a Praying Mantis As a Pet
One of the most beautiful and unusual creatures in the world of bugs, the praying mantis makes a great pet. Catching and keeping one is fun and easy. Just grab a jar large enough to accommodate a mantis and drop it in....
How to Eliminate Scale Bugs
Deal with this pesky insect and promote plant growth by following these simple tipsScale insects (Hemiptera spp.) are small, about 1/8 inch long, oval and flat. They are members of the “true bug” insect family, along...
How to
Identify a Yellow Sac Spider
Yellow sac spiders are common spiders throughout Europe and North America. While they are venomous, their bites rarely result in serious medical consequences.. 1 May 2024. Yellow sac spiders are also relatively easy to i...
How to
Clean a Tarantula's Habitat
Tarantulas are not only nifty pets to have, but they’re also relatively easy to take care of. This is especially the case when it comes to cleaning their habitats. Tarantulas aren’t generally very messy, so their hab...
How to
Take Care of a Huntsman Spider
Huntsman spiders are a common species of spiders that hunt on foot and are found all around the world. If the species are native to your area, you can capture one to care for inside; look under bark and rocks to find the...
How to
Breed Isopods
Grow healthy isopods to feed your reptiles or clean vivariumsIsopods are common crustaceans often referred to as pillbugs or woodlice. They make great treats for pets, like geckos and frogs. Isopods can also be used to e...
How to
Breed Superworms
Superworms are the larvae of darkling beetles. These large worms resemble mealworms and can grow up to or longer. They are an excellent source of protein for large reptiles as well as some species of fish and birds (inc...
How to
Breed Worms
Breeding worms is a fantastic way to save money on bait if you’re a fan of fishing. They’re also an excellent way to get rid of food waste and paper organically. To breed worms, set up a plastic or wood bin with drai...
Catching Bloodworms - How to Dig Up the Best Fish Bait
Don’t you wish you could catch a lot of fish without having to spend money on bait? If you live near the coastline, you might be in luck because you can find some large bloodworms in the wild. Bloodworms are marine ani...
Why You Keep Seeing Maggots in Your Rice & How to Get Rid of Them
Learn how to prevent maggots in your favorite pantry staples You’ve been craving some warm, fluffy rice for dinner. It’s finally time to prepare your meal but… you see some small maggots crawling around the rice b...
How to Get Rid of Cicadas (And, When Do They Come Out?)
Can cicadas bite? Are they harmful? Your questions, answered Some cicadas emerge from the ground every year, while others operate on a 13- or 17-year cycle. There’s no way to totally stop cicadas, but they don’t bite...
