Article: The focused beam of illumination will make it easier to catch sight of pests tucked away in dark spaces. Whenever possible, hold your flashlight close to the surface you're inspecting at a parallel angle. This will cause bugs and their eggs to cast a more noticeable shadow. While you're at it, turn on all of the lights in the room to maximize your visibility. Contrary to popular belief, light usually doesn't do much to keep bed bugs away. When you spy a cluster of bugs, insert your tool into the infested space and slowly drag it towards you to scrape them out. Hold the edge of the tool firmly against the surface and angle it to cover more ground and ensure that none of the bugs have a chance to scurry free. Ideally, the tool you use should be relatively durable. That way, you won't have to worry about it breaking accidentally. You probably won't be able to fish out every last pest like this, but it can be a good way to thin their numbers. Mash the tape or cloth directly into the pests, aiming to pick up as many as you can. Due to their size, they'll have a hard time escaping from the adhesive or moist, textured cloth. Stickier types of tape, such as duct or packing tape, will offer the best results. If you decide to go with the damp cloth approach, keep a small container of hot, soapy water nearby where you can deposit the bugs you collect. If you're using tape, fold the piece over on itself to make absolutely sure the bed bugs will stay stuck. If you're using a cloth, submerge it in your bucket of water and wring it out thoroughly to loosen the bugs. Throw the tape in a sealed trash receptacle outside and dump bug-filled water a safe distance from your home. After doing battle with bed bugs, always wash the clothes you're wearing as a precautionary measure. You can also heat-treat clothing and accessories in the dryer for 30 minutes if you don't have time to do a full load of laundry. Be sure to scrub your bucket with hot water and a powerful detergent to kill bacteria left behind by bugs or their skin castings or droppings.
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Grab a flashlight to aid you in your search. Force encamped bugs out of hiding with a card or similar thin object. Trap the exposed bugs with a piece of tape or a damp cloth. Dispose of the trapped pests securely outside of your home.