Reddit mentions of HARRIS Bed Bug Killer, Diatomaceous Earth (1/2lb)

Several years ago I had a bed bug problem. Not nearly as bad as some others I've seen, but a regular problem. I got rid of it myself with about six months of work.

Because bed bugs are attracted to your breath while you sleep, most of your work will be in and around your bed.

First you have to wash your sheets every week. Strip the bed and put the sheets in a plastic garbage bag to prevent spreading the bugs or eggs around your house or apartment, then throw the bags away once you get the sheets in the wash.

While the bed is stripped, inspect the box spring and bed frame for bugs and eggs. I used strips of scotch tape to gently lift any bugs I found without crushing them and spilling their blood all over my walls.

Twice a week, move the bed out from wherever it sits and clean the area under it. If it's carpeted, use a handheld steam cleaner to slowly blast steam all over the carpet to kill any eggs that may be buried there, then vacuum the entire area. Then spray the carpet with a bed bug spray.

Examine the ceiling, walls, and baseboards around the bed. Bed bugs love to hide in any little crack in your paint, or dent in your wall, or crevice between your baseboard and the dry wall. Again, use the scotch tape to lift any visible bugs off and throw them away. Run a vacuum cleaner hose attachment over the baseboards and the point at which two walls meet, or the wall and ceiling meet. Spray the bed bug spray on these areas.

Carefully examine any electrical outlets near your bed. This is where I found quite a few bugs hiding. Unscrew the outlet cover and look on the back side of it for any bugs there, and look in the outlet wall cavity for bugs. Don't stick metal back there or try to spray liquid. Instead, I used a powder twice a week.

Buy a bed bug mattress cover and one for your box spring if you have one.

While you're doing all this it's important to not change where you sleep, even though you may be getting devoured at night by bed bugs. They're attracted to your breath so if you try sleeping in another area of your home they may just follow you there and infest other furniture.

These are the steps that worked for me. Again, I did them once or twice a week for a solid six months. I never called an exterminator. My landlord tried to use some "bug bombs" from Home Depot but I found they did not work.

Long post incoming!

Not sure what you tried but here's what I did (sorry if you've already done these). Full disclosure, I'm not a professional in the slightest, but this worked for me.

1. Dry everything on high heat for 45 minutes (if it can handle it), wash it, then dry it again (I may be paranoid, but I'm thorough).
   
   
2. If it can't be put in the dryer, double bag it and put it in the freezer for several days. I mean SEVERAL days, don't short change yourself! Don't bring anything back into the room after it's been dried/frozen.
   
   
3. After pulling off the bedding, get a vacuum and vacuum the hell out of everything. If you see a bug (any bug. I commited a full-on insect genocide.), vacuum it up!
   
   
4. Get matress, boxspring, and pillow encasements. Make sure they are rated for bed bugs!!!! We sealed the seams and the zippers with duct tape because, again, I'm paranoid.
   
   
5. Pull the furniture off the walls, or at very least the bed. Get some [cimexa] (https://www.amazon.com/CimeXa-Insecticide-ounces-bottle-Rockwell/dp/B0085HRWI8) or DE earth. Sprinkle it around the baseboards, around furniture... Hell put it everywhere. However, if you have bad lungs I'd recommend not running a fan while the powder's down.
   
   
6. We used a spray as well, but I can't remember what it's called. When I get home I'll look. Before putting the powder down we sprayed the various nooks and crannies.
   
   
7. Keep sleeping on the bed!!! I know it sucks, believe me! You may not be able to sleep, but you are bait. If you move they will look for you. You're their food. Before going to sleep, inspect the bed. If you see any bugs vacuum them up. It's exhuasting, but it's important.
   
   
8. If you want to isolate the bed go ahead. I heard mixed things from the pest control officers that I talked to, but if it makes you feel safer do it. I used something like these and put the powder in wells.
   
   
9. Please don't ignore your mental health! If you're feeling upset it's totally understandable. You will probably be tired, frustrated, itchy, paranoid... It's totally fine. Keep up with all the checks, vacuuming, drying/freezing, spraying and you'll get there! Just keeping on fighting. If it makes you feel better, think of this as away to reorganize, redecorate, or redo your home once they're gone.

I care