No, painting the walls will not get rid of bed bugs. However, they can be on your walls if you are dealing with a bed bug infestation. These tiny bugs are experts at hiding and can be challenging to remove once they’ve taken up residence in your home.
But does painting the walls help get rid of bed bugs? Unfortunately, paint is not an effective way to kill bed bugs. However, it can help to seal up any cracks or crevices where bed bugs might be hiding. And while painting alone is not enough to get rid of bed bugs, it can be part of an effective treatment plan.
If you’re dealing with an unfortunate bed bug infestation, talk to a pest control professional about the best way to eliminate these unwanted guests from your home.
Will Painting Kill Bed Bugs?
You may wonder if painting will kill bed bugs if you have a bed bug problem. Unfortunately, bed bugs are resilient and can survive in various environments, so painting over them is not likely effective.
Bed bugs are small and agile, so they can easily hide in cracks and crevices. They can also go without food for long periods. So even if you starve them by painting over the gap, they might exit for a blood meal; if it’s a wall, they’ll find another way out.
So does painting kill bed bugs? No, it does not; however, if you paint over a bed bug, it may get stuck in the paint. However, this is not a suitable method for getting rid of bed bugs.
Does Painting the Walls Help Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
No painting of the walls will not get rid of bed bugs. However, it may help seal up some cracks and crevices in the wall, therefore preventing the bed bugs from being able to feed on your blood.
The fumes from paint may also cause the bed bugs to scatter. Bed bugs will not like the smell of the paint fumes and will begin to migrate out of the room with the fresh paint. The fumes from the paint will not be strong enough to kill any bed bugs.
What Do I Do if I See a Bed Bug on the Wall?
If you happen to see a bed bug on the wall during the day, it may mean the bed bug is wandering around. If you live in an apartment building, here’s what to do if you see a bed bug on the wall during the day.
First, figure out if your neighbors have an issue. You can ask them if they have seen any bed bugs. If they say “no,” it’s still not 100% that the bug did not come from their apartment. Many people do not want to disclose their bed bug issues to their neighbors.
Next, send a photo of the bed bug to your landlord. Ask them if they can send a certified bed bug sniffing dog to search the surrounding apartments. At least you will know whether or not the bed bug on your wall came in from an adjoining apartment.
Lastly, if no bed bugs are found in your neighboring apartments, then it’s time to do the following preventative and monitoring techniques:
- Encase your mattress by using a mattress and box spring cover for bed bugs.
- Check all of the typical hiding places and make sure you check for bed bugs on the curtains. Flip the mattress, box spring, and bed frame and look for bugs.
- Use some bed bug lures and traps to see if you catch anything.
- If you find any bugs, save them or snap a clear photo and send it to a pest control company for a proper ID. There are so many bugs that look similar to bed bugs that you don’t want to panic if it’s something else.
What to Do About Bed Bugs Living in Your Walls?
If you have bed bugs on your walls, you need to call a pest control professional to get rid of them. Trying to do it yourself is not recommended, as bed bugs are challenging to find and eliminate.
A pest control professional will have the tools and experience necessary to get rid of the bed bugs in your walls and home for good.
Sometimes, doing DIY treatments will cause the bed bugs to scatter deep into the walls. Once the bed bugs are in the walls, they can migrate and move in between apartments.
5 Reasons Why Painting Might Be Part of a Bed Bug Treatment Plan
- Bed bugs leave behind unsightly evidence like bed bug poop in the form of blackish ink stains. Using paint will help remove and cover the black fecal stains on the walls and moldings.
- If your walls have a lot of areas where the paint is chipping and cracking, then bed bugs can set up harborages in these cracks. Using a paint can help minimize hiding spots.
- If your molding meets the wall has a large gap, it is a perfect place for a bed bug to hide. Painting the molding will help eliminate the hiding spots behind the molding.
- Often bed bugs cause a lot of psychological trauma for those with the unfortunate event of going through a bed bug ordeal. A fresh coat of paint can help brighten up your space and give you a better outlook on your living situation.
- If there are any bed bug eggs on the wall, then the paint will seal them up.
How to Get Rid of a Bed Bug Stain on the Wall
If the stain is from their dropping, you must first wipe it away with diluted bleach. Next, you’ll need to paint it.
Bed bug stains are usually permanent and are not easy to remove. This is why you must wipe down the walls, then paint over the stains.
Final Thoughts for Does Painting the Walls Help Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
So does painting the walls help get rid of bed bugs? Unfortunately, the answer is no. While painting may temporarily cover the problem, it does nothing to kill the pests or remove them from your home. In fact, because bed bugs are so tiny, they can easily hide in areas with no paint.
If you have bed bugs, your best action is to call a pest control professional. They will have the experience and tools necessary to eliminate the problem.
Here are More Interesting Articles on Bed Bugs
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Learn how to effectively use a steamer for bed bugs.