I am interested to know if there shall be any respite immediately when I use the Naphthalene Balls to eliminate the Bed Bugs. I have an idea of making powder of the naphthalene balls and stuff the same in small plastic pouches and spread the same in different parts of the bed and cover it with bed spread. Also it may be spread in different area between the bed and surface area of the cot. Naturally this may cause suffocation and believe that the bed bugs may be killed. Does my idea work effectively? Please help by replying me through e-mail.

Regards.

SWAMINATHAN

I would not use naphthalene in the way that you mention. Besides the terrible smell that would leave on your bed that you sleep on, there are health issues with its use.

Naphthalene | Technology Transfer Network Air Toxics Web site | US EPA

I have never had to deal with bed bugs, but reading about them, and with my education and experience, I would say that bed bugs have similarities to roaches in that they like to hide in cracks and crevices, come out at night, and the control methods are similar in some respects.

If this applies, your box spring mattress might be most problematic. It would be great if you could start with a new bed, but I can understand how that might not be possible. See the link below for how to set up your bed so that bed bugs can't crawl up the bed posts. Look for their hiding places. Look for their evidence = fecal blood spots and odor. I would bet there are some hidden spots where you will find many of them lurking in one place. Treat those hiding places with a legitimate crack and crevice insecticide. Use the same insecticides that are used for roaches. Seal up all the entrances to your bedroom as best you can. Use tight fitting screens on the window. Get rid of all the animal nests that might be infesting the rafters, etc. Good luck.

Bed Bug Management Guidelines--UC IPM

Pyrethrins in a dust formula would work much better applied the way you describe and not be as dangerous to humans. If pyrethrins are unavailable, boric acid roach powder sprinkled all over the beddng might work.

The bed is not the only place to treat. They can hide in flooring cracks, behind baseboards and paneling, and just about anyplace close and dark.