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)
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