Can Double-Sided Tape Really Help Get Rid Of A Bed Bug Infestation?

Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate once they take up residence in your home and while several DIY methods can help fight against them, double-sided tape might not be the best choice. Sticking double-sided tape around your bed frame, headboard, and mattress likely won't catch very many of the insects. Because bed bugs are so small and weigh so little, they're sometimes able to walk over the tape without becoming stuck. In other instances, the bugs may avoid the tape altogether, finding other ways to get into your bed. If the tape does catch any bugs, it'll likely only be a few, which will be more helpful for identifying a bed bug infestation rather than treating one.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, adhesive traps, which double-sided tape is a DIY version of, aren't effective for getting rid of bed bugs, though they work for spiders and cockroaches. As for methods that do work, the agency recommends steamers and other heat-based treatments, along with interceptor traps. It should be noted that for interceptor traps, tape is a useful supply in building and stabilizing the DIY traps. However, using (double-sided) tape on its own is not a solution for catching and eliminating the tiny, biting bugs.

While it turns out that double-sided tape won't help you much when dealing with a bed bug infestation, using a steamer can. Heat is effective for killing these insects, and steamers allow you to reach tight areas where bed bugs like to hide. Make sure the temperature is set to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit and apply the steam around your mattress, box spring, bed frame, or any other spaces where bed bugs could be. One downside to this method, however, is that if the steam comes out with too much pressure, it could cause bed bugs to run and hide. Luckily, this issue can be combated by using a diffuser with your steamer.

Putting your bedding and clothing in the dryer on a hot setting will also help to kill bed bugs. Once your fabrics have been treated, seal them inside plastic containers or bags to prevent more insects from reinfecting the objects. Depending on the severity of the bed bug infestation, these measures could take a long time and may not totally eradicate the bugs in your home. To get rid of bed bugs permanently, it's best to call in a professional pest control agency.