I HATE using chemicals around my home. Sometimes it makes sense, but I avoid it anytime I can. Some chemicals can linger for a very long time e.g. insecticides.

I HATE using chemicals around my home. Sometimes it makes sense, but I avoid it anytime I can. Some chemicals can linger for a very long time e.g. insecticides. I've found that using a steamer is an excellent way to kill / clean / sanitize just about anything. I haven't had to deal with bed bugs specifically, but I've read that using a steamer or clothing iron (best with steam) will effectively kill them. You can steam most carpets, floors, beds, etc. I live in a very humid area and bugs are a huge issue during the summer. I've sprayed the inner frame of one problematic window with insecticide (deltamethrin - lasts months), steam just about everything in my home every week or two, and regularly run all blankets and upholstery through my dryer's "sanitize" cycle (steam + 165F air). There's an occasional spider, but rarely see anything else... no mites, nothing. Of course there are plenty of things I don't see, but I do my best to keep it all at bay.