Protect Your Outboard Motor with an Outboard Motor Stand
It’s a good idea to protect your outboard motor with a durable and high quality outboard motor stand. This type of stand is used to mount and transport your outboard motor for your convenience. The stand is basically made up of wheels and a cart that can be installed before delivery, or you can install it yourself.
How useful is it?
Aside from easy transport of outboard motor, a stand is also used to help drain water from your boat by holding it upright. It also keeps water away from the engine and other mechanical parts of your boat.
Want to customize your boat? A stand is also great for propping it up so you can print your designs on the boat. Finally, an outdoor motor stand can also help you secure your boat and keep it protected against possible theft and break-ins. You don’t want to leave your boat lying around in your shed, right? You can secure your boat to the stand and keep it locked away in a safe place.
How to buy
There are basically two kinds of stands for your outboard motor. These are:
Standard – The standard type can hold an outboard motor that weighs up to 485 pounds and up to 135 horsepower.
Large – This is made for large outboard motors and can hold for up to 900 pounds and up to 300 horsepower.
When looking to buy an outboard motor stand, make sure to choose a stand that has pneumatic air tires with stainless steel castors for easier and glide-like movement. These kinds of tires also make traveling across asphalt, grass, concrete, and even light gravel possible and easier. Finally choose a stand that comes with a mounting board that you can place your logo through silk screen.
How to Setup File Sharing in Windows 7
If you have multiple computers at home and want to network them together to share files and devices then this article is for you! In this article I’ll show how to setup file sharing in a mixed environment consisting of Windows 7 and Windows XP.
The computer that will be sharing (serving) the files will be the Windows 7 computer. The computer that will be accessing the shared files on the Windows 7 PC will be a Windows xp computer. This article assumes that you either:
A: have your internal software firewalls disabled since they can often obstruct network access. Only do this if you access the internet through a router (or a wireless router).
or
B: know how to allow network access to your internal subnet. Since you’re reading this article it’s pretty safe to assume that you have no idea what I’m talking about in point B. Just go ahead and turn off your firewalls (for now at least).
On your Windows 7 computer:
1. Click the Windows globe on the bottom left (the old start button).
2. Right-click “Computer” and click properties.
3. Take note of the Workgroup name.
On your Windows XP computer:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-Click “My Computer” and click properties.
3. Click Computer Name.
4. Click Change.
5. Select Workgroup.
6. Type in the same workgroup name.
7. Click Ok twice.
8. Reboot.
Back on your Windows 7 computer lets share your documents folder to everyone in your workgroup:
1. Click Start.
2. Click Computer.
3. On the left window, under libraries, right-click documents and click share with: specific people
4. Click the drop down.
5. Select Everyone.
6. Click Add.
7. Click Read and change it to read/write
8. Click Share
9. Select My Documents
10. Click Next.
11. Sharing your documents may take awhile depending on how many have.
12. Click Done.
Back to your Windows XP PC:
You may now access documents on the Windows 7 computer by
1. Opening your “My Computer”.
2. Click “My Network Places” on the left.
3. Click “Entire Network”.
4. You should now see the name of your Windows 7 computer.
5. Double click the Windows 7 computer and you’ll see any shared files plus any shared devices.
You can follow the steps above to share any other files or folders on your Windows 7 computer.
How to Build Your Own Cricket Trap
When I was a kid, my father would choose a weekend for a catfishing trip to Lake Texoma, giving me ample notice to catch lots of trotline bait. The pond I liked to get bait from was full of black perch and bluegill from 3 inches to 3/4 pound each. They liked crickets. Lots of crickets.
It took me an hour after dark to chase and catch a dozen crickets to fish with the following morning. Then the perch ate them so fast that I ran out within a half-hour or so. I had to figure out a better way to supply myself with enough crickets to catch enough perch to run a 100 hook trotline at least four times. That takes a lot of perch and even more crickets.
I noticed that the crickets I needed were on the ground, dead, at the gas station on the corner every morning. They were piled up under the light that stayed on all night. Nowhere else were they so numerous.
That gave me a brainstorm. I went down to the grocer’s and begged an orange crate from him. Don’t laugh… oranges came in wooden crates in the mid 1950′s. The slats failed to cover the entire box bottom, but it allowed air flow. I covered the box with window screen wire on the bottom and sides in order to keep the crickets from escaping. Then I made a tight-fitting frame covered with the same screen wire for a lid and hinged it to the box.
The box was half-filed with torn up lettuce leaves from the grocer and placed outside against the wall of the garage with the lid propped open. This was the trap.
The lure was a simple invention… an extension cord with a garage trouble light plugged in. The key was the red lightbulb. The red light was positioned so that the light fell on the lettuce bed in the box.
The crickets swarmed the red light at night, falling into the lettuce where they remained chomping merrily away all night. All I had to do was quietly remove the light and close the box lid at daybreak and I had thousands of crickets free of charge.
My live tank at the pond was filled on schedule and many church fish fries were supplied with fine catfish from that Lake Texoma trotline.
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Best Laptops and Best Laptops Brands in 2011
Laptops have become an essential accessory for work and for entertainment. But with all the laptop brands currently available on the market, finding the perfect laptop can be daunting. To help you, here is a short survey of the best laptop brands.
Acer is a Taiwan-based electronics multinational that is best known for its computer products, although it also produces other consumer electronics such as personal digital assistants and mobile phones, as well as computer-related products such as servers and storage devices. Acer was not a well-known brand in the US until 2008, when it introduced its Acer Aspire One line of subcompact netbooks to great success. At present it remains dominant in the affordable netbook market, although it has also released high-end netbook models in June 2010.
One of Acer’s most popular high-end netbooks is the Ferrari One. The bright red netbook sports the distinctive “Scudetto Ferrari” logo that has come to dominate Formula One racing. Ferrari One is a high-end netbook that boasts of the following features:
· A full-size Fine Tip keyboard which provides for comfortable typing even for prolonged periods.
· An integrated Crystal Eye webcam with PrimaLite technology that ensures crystal-clear images.
· Third-generation Dolby home theater provides an exceptional viewing experience when you watch movies and other prime content on your laptop, with the best sound and picture quality.
· Full connectivity over a variety of networks, including Gigabit Ethernet, 3G and Bluetooth.
Some of the Acer’s best selling models are: Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop, Acer AS5742-7653 15.6-Inch Laptop and Acer Aspire AS5741Z-5539 15.6-Inch HD Wi-Fi Laptop.
ASUS is another Taiwan-based company that has become known as one of the most innovative in the consumer electronics market. Apart from its popular line of Eee netbooks, ASUS also produces mobile phones as well as computer components such as motherboards and servers. The Eee line was considered a pioneer since it helped launch the low-cost netbook market. Two of the most notable Eee netbook models are the 1018P and 1016P, two highly-portable laptops that are run by the Intel Atom N455 processor with highly energy-efficient performance. Other noteworthy features of these two netbooks:
· A 10.1″ WSVGA glossy monitor that displays crisp, clear images whether you are surfing the net or watching a Blu-Ray DVD on your netbook.
· Long-lasting battery life of as long as 10.5 hours to ensure maximum productivity before having to recharge.
· High portability through the netbook’s lightweight construction. The netbooks weigh just 2.4 pounds and have a thickness of less than one inch.
· Wireless N and Bluetooth v3.0 ensures high-speed connectivity wherever you are.
Top 3 best selling models from Asus are: ASUS N61JQ-XV1 16-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop, ASUS U35JC-XA1 Thin and Light 13.3-Inch Laptop and ASUS G73JW-XA1 Republic of Gamers 17.3-Inch Gaming Laptop.
Apple is one of the most famous PC brands, most notable for its Mac line as well as, more recently, the iPod, iPhone and iPad. Since its founding in 1976, Apple has grown into one of the most admired companies in the US, with a devoted customer base. Its MacBook has become one of the most iconic laptops in the industry. Here are some of its most notable features:
· A 13.3″ glossy LED-backlit widescreen display that provides vivid color and exemplary image quality, with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.
· The NVIDA GeForce 320M graphics processor provides a performance boost of 80% from the previous generation, delivering highly-responsive action for your gaming or viewing experience.
· The exclusive Multi-touch trackpad has no separate button, allowing you to conveniently click anywhere on its surface. And the trackpad supports Multi-touch gestures, letting you use one or more fingers to access the applications.
· Built-in connectivity features include AirPort Extreme 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR technology.
· Built-in iSight video camera with microphone and iChat software allows you to chat with anybody anywhere in the world or give a business presentation with excellent image and sound quality.
· Long-lasting battery life of as long as ten hours on one chage.
The best notebook models sold by Apple are: Apple MacBook Air MC505LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop, Apple MacBook Air MC506LL/A 11.6-Inch Laptop and Apple MacBook Air MC503LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop.
Alienware is a fully-owned subsidiary of Dell that mainly assembles third-party components into custom-made laptops and desktop computers. Their laptops are notable for supporting graphics-intensive applications such as video editing, audio editing and high-performance editing. Alienware laptops are available in 11″, 15″ and 17″ models with featured options including NVIDIA graphic cards as well as the latest mobile Intel processors.
Three of the most wanted laptops produced by Alienware are: Alienware AM11x-826CSB Gaming Laptop, Alienware m15x-472CSB 15-Inch Gaming Laptop and Alienware m17x10-1847DSB 17 Inch Gaming Laptop.
Lenovo is a computer technology multinational based in China, which has become the fourth largest PC vendor in the world. Lenovo laptap brands include the ThinkPad, which was originally produced by IBM until Lenovo bought their personal computer division in 2005, and the IdeaPad which is entirely a Lenovo product. Lenovo laptops have gained a reputation for their excellent ergonomics, helping users avoid repetitive movement injuries, as well as stylish design. ThinkPad laptops are designed for professional users, offering 57% faster booting, Intel core processor technology and a wide range of connectivity and multi-media features, while IdeaPad netbooks are ideal for those looking for a lifestyle PC, since it offers multi-media applications and features such as OneKey theater, Dolby surround sound and high-end discrete Switchable Graphics and even 3D (with polarizer glasses included).
Top 3 best rated laptops from Lenovo: Lenovo G550 Series 2958XFU 15.6-Inch Laptop, Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 Series 064654U 15.6-Inch Laptop and Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 Series 064653U 15.6-Inch Laptop.
Sony Corporation has grown into one of the world’s largest conglomerates since its founding in 1946, and is currently one of the leading consumer electronics manufacturers in the market. Sony’s VAIO notebooks have become known for their luxurious designs and high performance, although their models are in the higher-end of the price range. Its EA series offers users the following exemplary features:
· A widescreen 14″ display with Wireless Display technology (on selected models) that allows you to stream content onto your notebook with stunning image clarity.
· The Media Frenzy suite of applications allows you to easily organize your videos, music and photos by time and event and even get recommendations as to what to listen to or watch based on your preferences.
· Access all the applications quickly with just one push of a button, even without booting the operating system.
Sony’s best selling models are: Sony VAIO VPC-EB37FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Laptop,Sony VAIO VPC-EA31FX/BJ 14-Inch Laptop and Sony VAIO VPC-EE31FX/BJ 15.5-Inch Laptop.
Toshiba is another iconic Japanese brand which is currently the fifth largest PC vendor in the world. Its Toshiba netbook line has become extremely popular among PC users for their stylishness and high functionality. Some of the features that make Toshiba netbooks extremely popular include:
· A 10.1″ display that is extremely easy on the eyes and provides excellent image quality.
· A full-sized keyboard and touch pad that is very comfortable to use and allow you to easily work or surf even in the tightest of spaces.
· Extended battery life of eight to eleven hours (depending on the model).
· Exclusive features such as Hard Drive Impact Sensor to protect your netbook and PC Health Monitor to check your computer’s performance.
· Eco-friendly features such as the power-saving Toshiba Eco Utility to help you monitor your battery usage, and an energy-efficient LED backlit display.
Toshiba’s best noteboks models are Toshiba Satellite C655-S5119 15.6-Inch Laptop, Toshiba Satellite C655-S5118 15.6-Inch Laptop and Toshiba Portégé R705-P41 TruBrite LED 13.3-Inch Laptop.
How to Clean a DVD Player Laser in 8 Steps
Whether your DVD player is malfunctioning or you get a no-disk error you may need to clean out the player. Inside your player is a laser pickup which reads your DVDs and allows you to access or view the content. To make your DVD player functioning again you simply need to properly wipe the laser pickup clean following these simple steps.
Before following these steps let us just look at what we are basically need to do. We need to basically remove the DVD head and electronics out of the player case to have easy access to the actual laser pickup enabling us to clean it properly. Once cleaned it is just a matter of putting everything together again.
Before following the steps, make sure the laser pickup lens is the actual problem. Inserts a few DVD is into the DVD player to confirm the problem is actually the lens. If some DVDs work and others do not, the problem is clearly not the player. If none work, there can be a wide variety of reasons why a DVD player is not functioning properly anymore. But, it is highly likely that the laser pickup lens has simply become dirty.
What You Need to Clean the DVD Player
lens cleaner disc
screwdriver
cotton swab
isopropyl alcohol
flashlight (optional)
How to Clean DVD Player Laser
Step #1 – Lens Cleaner Disc – The first thing you need to do is to get or borrow a lens cleaner disc to try and clean the laser pickup. These lens cleaner discs usually do a terrific job cleaning the laser pickup. Next, try out a few more DVDs to see if the problem is resolved or not and if you have to take further steps to clean out to the pickup up manually or not. If the player still does not work follow step 2.
Step #2 – Removing the Outer Casting – Unplug the player from the power supply and remove the screws of the outer casting. You will now see the plastic head of the DVD player which can be actual electronics attached to it.
Step #3 – Opening the DVD – The next thing we need to do is get the plastic head with electronics out of the DVD player case. In some cases the tray of a plastic head has a tiny other casting attached to it. To remove it, simply plug in the power supply, power on the DVD player, open up the player, power off the DVD player and unplug the power supply. Now, simply detach the tiny outer casting from the tray.
Step #4 – Detaching the DVD Head – Next, we are going to unscrew the DVD head with electronics from the main board. Thanks to step 3 we can easily remove the head by unscrewing it from the main board and unplugging any and all cables going from the head to the main board.
Step #5 – Detaching Electronics from Head – Now you will have the DVD head in your hands, being the plastic mechanism, a clamp and the actual electronics. Remove the clamp. Look for the actual laser pickup which has a blue tint to it. If you have trouble finding the laser pickup, you go to shine a light to detect any reflections. If you can now see and easily access the actual laser pickup for cleaning already, there is no need to detach the electronics from the head. If not, you need to first simply detach the electronics from the head and then follow step 6 on how to properly clean the laser pickup.
Step #6 – Cleaning the Laser Pickup – Now that you have easy access to the laser pickup, use a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the lens. Use the other end of the cotton swab to dry it. Now wait a few minutes and let it dry.
Step #7 – Putting Everything Together Again – Now that the laser pickup lens is clean again we can partially put everything together again and test the efficiency of the lens. Attached the electronics to the head again, attached the clamp, attached the head to the board again, attach all the previously detached cables onto the main board again, and plug in the power supply to test a few DVDs. Power on the DVD player, insert a DVD and test the disc reader’s efficiency. If the DVD works you have effectively cleaned your DVD player. If not, follow the steps again and try to clean the laser pickup a bit more thoroughly.
Step #8 – Attach the Outer Casting – Put the power off again, unplug the power supply in screw all the outer casting parts back onto the DVD player.
You DVD player is now cleaned and ready to be used again!
How to Write Your First Ebook
Writing your first ebook may seem like a daunting task. But like many projects, it won’t seem so bad when it’s broken down into manageable chunks. Not all projects are successful, so don’t be too disappointed if your first ebook isn’t a best seller. Whatever the outcome of your first ebook, you can at least say ‘You did it’.
Like many things in life, what often seems impossible can be attained with the right attitude and the right equipment. It could be a marathon run, climbing a mountain or finding parking space at the supermarket.
If you want to play golf, you will need clubs, balls and some practice. There’s no guarantee you will become another Tiger Woods but you will become a golfer.
If you want to write an ebook, you will need a computer, software and some directions. Assuming you have a computer and software or access to them, here are some directions.
Establish Your Reasons
Your reasons for wanting to write an ebook will have a major impact on your success. It may be for financial gain, promoting a business, advancing your career, education, self satisfaction or something entirely different. Whatever your reasons, write them down. It will help to motivate you if the going gets tough.
Choose Your Subject
There are countless subjects that you can write about. It’s wise to choose something you have an interest in or knowledge of. It is worthwhile spending time on this. The more you know about your subject, the easier it will be to write about.
Choose Your Title
After you’ve chosen your subject, you’ll need a title for the ebook. It’s worth writing down a few different ones before deciding on the one you’ll use. This will help to keep your focus and may give you some other ideas. The title should give a clear indication of the content in your book. A catchy title may help to sell it, but remember to balance this with clarity to keep it in context. I’ve written down two examples. Feel free to use them if you have a sense of humor.
A Clubbers Paradise – Golfing in Ibiza
20 Minutes Late – The Future of Trains
Choose Your Audience
The subject and style of your writing will determine your audience. Decide who your desired audience will be. Age, gender, culture, social background and education are factors you may want to consider. What you write should be targeted at your desired audience.
Write Your Thesis Statement
Although it’s possible to write your ebook without a ‘thesis statement’, it is not recommended. If you are unfamiliar with this term, there are many sources available that will provide you with all the details you need. Unfortunately, there are some differences of opinion that may lead to confusion.
The ‘thesis statement’ deserves a separate article of its own but for now I have written a general definition of a thesis statement for ebooks. This may leave the door open for criticism but is a small price to pay if it removes some of the confusion. More importantly, it will give you a base on which to start. Only use it as a guideline. If you want a more specific definition, Google is a good place to start your search.
A thesis statement is a sentence or two written to clearly show the reason(s) for your ebook and what you expect to write about.
Although I have referred to this as a general definition, keep in mind that your actual statement should be as specific as possible.
Think of it as the foundation for your ebook. It should contain the following:
1) Your subject
2) Your opinion on the subject
3) A supporting reason for your opinion
4) The significance of 1), 2) and 3)
Create Your Document
Now that you have the foundation, you can begin writing.
A standard application like MS Word is a good choice.
While you are writing your document you can revise your thesis statement at any time up until it is published. This provides a good degree of flexibility.
Choose the format and layout of your document, including chapters, headings and introductions. Dependent on your subject, you may wish to add photographs, anecdotes or testimonials that keep the reader’s attention.
Since an ebook is generally read from a screen, you may want to break up the text more than in a printed book. Experiment with a few different fonts and look at other ebooks for ideas you can use. Spell check and save your document regularly. MS Word has an auto recovery feature. This is useful if you don’t save the document on a regular basis and later experience a system crash. Always backup your document. As a precaution you should also keep a copy on another media such as CD.
Choose Your Ebook Format
This is a personal choice. You may decide to create an executable (.exe) file or a Portable Document Format (.pdf) file. By no means an exhaustive list, here are some points to consider before you choose.
EXE files are compiled using an ebook compiler
EXE files may offer features that are not available with PDFs
EXE files can only be read on a PC
EXE files don’t require any other software to be read
EXE files are easy to open, easily branded, and good viral marketing tools
EXE files may be susceptible to viruses although some compilers offer virus protection
More information on the better compilers can be found at
http://www.ebook-site.com/ebook-compilers.html
PDF files can be created using Adobe Acrobat
PDF files can be created with several other 3rd party applications
PDF files are an industry standard
PDF files can be read by both PC and MAC
PDF files require Adobe Reader to be read
PDF files are highly unlikely to become infected
More information on PDFs can be found on the Adobe website
Create Your Ebook
Create your ebook in your chosen format.
Congratulations you are now an author.
Custom Motorhome Interior Design
When it comes to creating a custom interior design for your home on wheels the possibilities are endless! When considering a home remodel or renovation the first step is to talk to a contractor who understands buildings codes and local regulation. Likewise, when you decide it’s time to give your motorhome or RV a new face, the best option is to contact someone with years of experience in custom RV renovation.
Time to Renovate:
Now that you’ve made the big decision to keep the RV that’s taken you on so many great trips and created so many amazing memories, you’ll need to make a plan of action for remodeling. Three of the biggest components to any remodel are floors, cabinets, and furniture. By updating any or all of these items you will drastically alter the appearance of your RV.
RV’s can be fitted with beautiful wood flooring that will look just as good in your RV as it does in your kitchen at home. For those who prefer tile, that’s no problem at all! All types and patterns of tile can be installed whether it be sleek modern look or a floor fit for a king, you decide how grand the appearance.
Next on the list to be remodeled are cabinets and furniture. Undoubtedly technology has changed substantially over the past few years. This means that there is a good chance that your RV is sporting a TV that isn’t quite up to par with today’s standards. By remodeling your cabinets you will not only be able to fit a new flat screen TV, but will simultaneously create more cabinet space! There are just as many options for furniture. You can choose to reupholster your existing furniture, or outfit your RV with all brand new seats to match your new floors and cabinets!
Installation:
Picking out all of the new materials that you wish to use in renovating your RV is the easy part! Installing floors, cabinets, and furniture will most likely be a lot more work than you will want to tackle by yourself. The best way to ensure that your new custom items are safely and properly secured is to have a professional service complete the work. Those who set out to do the work themselves on a Saturday morning may find themselves a little discouraged at how daunting the work load can be. If you want something done right, have a professional do it! You have come too far to cut corners now, so make sure to have your new custom interior completed by a qualified professional.
How To Put Movies On Your Iphone – The Quick Way
If you want to learn how to put movies on your iPhone, this article will strive to show you how. The Apple iPhone is a fantastic piece of hardware, following hot on the heels of the phenomenally successful Apple iPod.
The iPhone has the capability to be a one stop entertainment center, as well as giving you access to the internet, and of course a cell phone as well. The ability to play movies on the move will be great for film fans, and save them having to carry a portable DVD player.
To be able to watch movies on an iPhone, they will need to transferred from a computer. What you need alongside the computer will depend on where the movie is going to be taken from. If it is a DVD movie, you will need some software which can read the movie from the disc, and convert it to the type of file that the iPhone can handle. This format is called mp4. Downloading from the internet will mean that you will need a decent internet connection, but no conversion software.
The first lesson in how to put movies on your iPhone is to download some special software onto your computer that can change the movie into the .mp4 format. This software is very easy to find, but there is a lot of choice. A lot of this software is quite expensive, as much as $50 in some cases, but some of it is cheap, and you can even find free downloads. Some of the expensive programs have a free trial period should you only have a few movies to convert. Place your DVD into the computer’s drive, and use the software to rip the movie and convert it. Use iTunes to copy it to your iPhone.
Once you have copied your DVD collection to your iPhone, you may want to expand by downloading more movies from the internet. This will work out much cheaper than buying DVDs in the long run, if you are someone who watches a lot of films. It is possible to download films without paying any money, using P2P sites, but this is very risky. These sites are illegal, and if you are caught you could be facing prosecution. There are other dangers, as these files are put up by anybody they can contain anything. Often, they are just excuses to spread viruses and spyware.
There are legal sites which offer unlimited downloads, but you will have to pay a small upfront fee. This will prove to be a bargain as time goes by, and you get ever more for your money.
You now know the basics of how to put movies on your iPhone, so hopefully you have found this article useful. Check out the links below to find the best places to download the movies from.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Yourself
Although a licensed pest control operator will probably perform these tasks more effectively, safely and legally, they can be expensive, especially for a whole house.
If you want to do it yourself, these steps to getting rid of bed bugs will help you:
Start off by finding the bed bugs. Sometimes easier said than done; their flat shape enables them to fit into barely noticeable crevices the width of a credit card.
Instead of ineffectual generalised spraying, arm yourself with a bright flashlight and target their nests. Search for adults, juniors and eggs, noting that sometimes individual eggs are scattered all over the home.
Dismantle bed frames and stand the components on their edges. Look for the bugs themselves and the light-brown molted skins of the nymphs. Remove the gauze fabric under the box spring in order to inspect and treat because there is a good chance they are inside your mattress. Check under the fabric stapled to the frame in the box springs.
Holes or tears in the gauze or fabric of the mattress probably means bed bugs and eggs will be inside. Because restrictions apply to treating mattresses with insecticides, pest control firms recommend infested beds be thrown out. But even if you do that, you need to get rid of the bed bugs already in your home, otherwise the new mattress will become infested too.
Cracks and crevices of bed frames, attached side railings and supports, head and foot boards all need to be closely examined, especially if the frame is wood. Bedbugs prefer fabric, wood and paper more so than metal or plastic.
If you cannot afford to replace the bed, vacuum it thoroughly. Brushing also helps. Try treating your bed with a portable steam machine. It helps but will not kill the bugs and eggs hidden inside the box spring or mattress.
Apply insecticide on the mattress, box springs and bed components without spraying the mattress surface, bed sheets, blankets or clothing.
After spraying and dusting, encase your mattress in one and the box spring in another sealable cover. If you just cover your mattress and box spring with plastic, the bed bugs will chew right through it. Cloth is probably more comfortable and more secure. Allergy supply companies sell zippered encasements for dust mite prevention.
Keeping the mattress covers sealed for a year or 18 months ensures you destroy the bug’s life cycle. Inspect the bag regularly for damage; if you find any holes or tears, seal them with permanent tape and any trapped bugs will eventually die.
Only apply insecticide to a mattress if the product label specifically mentions it, and very few do. Should you find one, apply it as a light mist to the entire mattress, opening seams, tufts, and folds so the chemical penetrates these hiding places. Allow it to dry completely before using. Never sleep directly on a treated mattress without bed linen and do not treat mattresses of infants or ill people.
To stop bed bugs from crawling onto a bed, pull the bed frame away from the wall, tuck sheets and blankets in so they are off the floor and stand the legs of the bed in little dishes of mineral oil, or water with a drop of dish washing liquid.
Remove and inspect headboards secured to walls since this is one of the first places the bugs head for. They also hide among stuff stored under the bed.
Empty night stands and dressers, remove drawers, examine them inside and out, then turn them over to inspect underneath, looking for cracks, corners, and recesses.
Check upholstered chairs and sofas, carefully inspecting seams, tufts, skirts, and crevices beneath cushions, especially when used for sleeping.
Bed bugs like crawling upwards to hide in pictures, wall hangings, drapery pleats, loosened wallpaper, cracks in the plaster and ceiling-wall junctures.
Other common places to find bed bugs:
- Electrical boxes
- Floor cracks
- Cracks in wood molding
- Wall paper seams
- Beneath loose wallpaper near the bed
- Inside radios, phones, clocks, television sets and smoke detectors. When open, tap the smaller appliances into a bag or on sticky tape so the bugs do not jump and hide
- Under the tack board of wall-to-wall carpeting, especially behind beds and furniture.
- Amongst clothing stored in closets
- In laundry
- Within wicker furniture
- Secondhand beds, bedding and furniture; newer mattresses offer less hiding places.
Since infested bedding, curtains, pyjamas, garments and soft toys cannot be treated with insecticide, they need to be bagged and laundered in hot water, 120 degrees Fahrenheit minimum and dried using the hot setting, or discarded. When fully dry and very hot, dry them for another 20 minutes in the dryer and not naturally on the clothes line.
Dry cleaning works too but either tell the dry cleaner they are infested, or before you take the items to him, place them dry into a clothes dryer at moderate setting which will be below 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
The same with toys, shoes, backpacks and items not washable; heat them in a clothes dryer for 20 minutes. Or wrap them in black plastic bags and expose them to direct sunlight for at least a few days.
After washing, drying and dry cleaning, bag the items in sealed, airtight bags until you next use them.
Bedbugs also die when exposed to below freezing temperatures for at least two weeks. So if you have the space you can put some items in the freezer. Raising or lowering the thermostat is not good enough.
Overall cleanliness is key, so start by thoroughly cleaning the infested rooms as well as adjoining ones. Vacuum accumulated dirt and debris. Dislodge eggs by scrubbing infested surfaces with a stiff brush and reduce clutter to limit places they can hide.
With a powerful suction to remove bed bugs from cracks and crevices, vacuum along baseboards, around bed stands, headboards, footboards, mattress seams, tufts, buttons, edges of the bedding, edges of carpets, especially along the tack strips to remove bugs and eggs. When finished dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag by sealing it in a trash bag.
Steam clean the carpets to kill bugs and eggs which vacuuming may have missed. Steam cleaning does not work for mattresses though; it can lead to mold, mildew and dust mites.
Treat your home with a product whose label specifies bed bug control and it must have a long lasting residual effects, otherwise they will return.
Carefully read the label and apply only if you fully understand the instructions. Do NOT apply any insecticide or pesticide to mattresses or surfaces which are in direct contact with a person unless the label specifically says so. Some products contain chemicals not safe for people and pets.
Bug treatment products are usually one of three types:
1. Insecticidal dusts
Contain finely ground glass or silica powder and cause the bugs to dry out. Apply only to cracks, crevices, wall voids, attics and hollows, for example a tubular bed frame; these are places where bed bugs hide. Do not spread dust over carpets or under carpets where people or animals tread.
2. Contact insecticides
Contain one or more pyrethoids which knock down and kill bugs shortly after contact. Should be applied as spot treatments to cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide.
3. Insect growth regulators
These affect the reproduction cycle of insects and reduce populations. They do not kill quickly so often supplement other insecticides as part of the overall bed bug treatment plan.
Products available to consumers with the ingredients pyrethrin, resmethrin (0.3% spray) and allethrin are effective. Others even more potent may only be used by professionals.
Protect all food and eating utensils from insecticides. After ten days, apply a second treatment to kill the hatching nymphs. And after another ten days, a third treatment.
Changes you need to make around your home
Caulk and seal all holes. Fill all cracks and crevices in the walls, around baseboards and moldings. Repair cracks in plaster and glue down loosened wallpaper.
For your protection, remove nests or roosts of birds and bats in and on the home, and seal all screen openings.
As a home remedy you can try sprinkle boric acid powder in their nests but not directly on your mattress.
Inorganic materials, such as diatomaceous earth, also known as silica dioxide or silicone dioxide, and silica aerogel may kill them but are unlikely to sort out your whole problem. Try spreading this non-toxic powder you buy from feed and supply stores, around the perimeter of your room and when the bed bugs cross the powder, they coat themselves in it, become dehydrated and die. Also insert in crevices and cracks.
Baits and adhesive-based traps do not work for bedbugs. Neither do foggers, bug bombs or total release aerosol insecticides; they actually scatter the bedbugs and make extermination more difficult.
Natural remedies like undiluted tea tree oil may give limited relief but are unlikely to eliminate a bed bug infestation.
Some home remedies include applying bleach which kills on contact and spraying hot steam from a high powered steam cleaner into cracks for three seconds at a time.
But bed bugs are persistent, resilient insects. They can withstand the heat up to 100 degree temperatures, a short spell in your freezer, multiple pest control treatments and can live for a year without eating. If you want to completely get rid of them, you need to aggressively persist until you no longer get bitten and there are no longer any signs of habitation.