8 common mistakes people make when trying to get rid of bedbugs

It's understandable that you'd find the idea of bed bugs invading your personal space alarming and disturbing. However, going into full-on panic mode usually means you aren't thinking clearly, and your decision-making skills regarding how to get rid of the little blood-sucking pests will be compromised.

Whether you've actually experienced bugs crawling on your body — or your imagination is so strong that you felt them even though nothing was there — applying pesticides directly to your skin is never a good idea.

Sadly, insect repellents such as the ones we all commonly use for mosquitoes don't work on bed bugs, according to Dr. Dini M. Miller of Virginia Tech's Department of Entomology.

Typically mosquito repellents are only active for a couple of hours at most — so by the time the bed bugs come out between 3 am and 5 am, those repellents are no longer doing much to deter any insects at all. If that's not discouraging enough, by that time of night, the repellents are probably all over your sheets instead of on your skin.

This goes for any pesticides you use in areas where your family — humans, and pets — spends any time. In the US, any pesticides that target bed bugs are legally required to be registered with the EPA.

Even if the product you're examining is properly registered, you also need to make sure that it's approved for use in the area where you intend to use it. Some products should only be used outdoors and can cause harm to yourself, others in your household, and your belongings if you use them indoors. Exercise caution when deciding what products to bring into your home.

Unfortunately, every situation and infestation is different — and some may take longer to solve than others. Factors such as whether an entire apartment building is affected or whether some residents of an infested area are sensitive to certain pesticides will affect what pest control methods can effectively be used.

Getting upset about your bed bug problem is completely understandable — and at first, sleeping somewhere else might seem like an ideal solution.

Unfortunately, that's also how bed bugs can most easily spread. If you've been sleeping in one place every night, then notice you've been bitten by bed bugs and suddenly move somewhere else — your resilient insect pests have probably also hitched a ride. They can hide unseen in plenty of places — so try not to give them any free rides to new feeding and breeding grounds if you can help it.

They can hang out behind picture frames, in carpet, in papers, picture frames — all around the area where you like to sleep.

Numerous resources that offer detailed instructions for getting rid of bed bugs say you should vacuum — because it's a great way to suck up both the bugs and the mess they've made.

Vacuuming helps, but it doesn't kill the bugs — and they can still escape and infest someone else's living space if you don't take a minute to change your bag and also tie it up when disposing of it, according to the EPA.

In fact, it's very difficult to get rid of bed bugs on your own — so consulting professionals who conduct a thorough assessment of the situation before formulating a treatment plan is essential. Bed bugs have been around and co-existed with human populations for a long time — so it should come as no surprise that they've developed resistance to some treatment methods.

Also, be aware that according to the National Pest Management Association, a skilled pest control professional who deals with bed bugs on a regular basis should be able to effectively treat your mattress and other belongings — and in most cases, you shouldn't have to throw them away and get new ones.

Sign up here to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox.