Bed bugs might be in your space without you knowing it. They bite at night, are very small and their bites look like mosquitoes bites so you might not realize you have them. I looked online to figure out what’s the deal with bedbugs.
The saying ‘’good night don’t let the bedbugs bite” is a well-known phrase told to little children at bedtime. It seems silly but these pests can become a real problem at night. They’re parasites that feed on human blood but usually don’t transmit diseases. Unfortunately because of their feeding times they can be an issue. They can cause a lack of sleep and the bites can be very irritating.
Bedbug bites can cause itching that can last about a week or two. These bites look and react similarly to mosquito bites. Because itching leads to scratching this can lead to a risk of puncturing the skin, even causing infection and organisms entering it.
How do bedbugs look?
Bedbugs are reddish brown in color, they’re tiny insects that are a quarter of an inch long. You can compare them to the size of a small apple seed. They have a small head and thorax and a large flat abdomen
If you cannot see them you might be able to see their skin after shedding or the bedbug droppings in your bedroom, also look out for small stains of blood in your bed
Eggs and larvae have transparent skin and if you are not looking for them you might not notice them, once they are adult size they are easier to see. If your house is cluttered then you will not be able to see them but they can appear in all kinds of habitats. Note that if your house is clean then it’ll be easier to see and get rid of them but you can still get them.
What is the main cause of bedbugs?
It is widely thought that bedbugs are caused by filth in your house but this is not true as they can set up camp in your house as long as there is a supply of their food source namely blood
They are attracted to blood similarly to mosquitoes and ticks but cannot live on the host or fly. Thus they settle in a location where the host frequency occupies i.e. the bed, waiting until you rest for them to feed.
They can travel into your house from infested furniture, backpacks, purses, luggage and anything soft. They can crawl rapidly, this enables them to travel between rooms in your house even apartments in your building.
How did I get bedbugs?
Different varieties of blood eating creatures are drawn by your body heat as well as the carbon dioxide on your breath
They are attracted to human skin and blood so regardless of where you are you can come in contact with them. If you use public transport be on the lookout as many people use public transport
Even if a hotel is well kept it still might have bed bugs
If guests visit there is a possibility that they can bring bed bugs on their luggage from travelling, be sure to check and wash linens in hot water after visitors leave.
If you buy used furniture that has been stored outside you might be bringing bed bugs into your home. Look out for insect shaped skin, blood streaks and eggs
What keeps bedbugs away?
If you want a natural repellent against bedbugs use essential oils such as lemongrass, cloves, cinnamon, pepper or eucalyptus. All these are a great way to get rid of them
To avoid infestation steer clear of places outside your home that can leave you prey to bedbugs. If you can’t avoid this be sure to check your luggage when coming back to your house.
Soap and water will repel and kill bed bugs as well as steaming your bed. You should to wrap your mattress in plastic after you’ve gotten rid of them
If you have rubbing alcohol and an atomizer mix one part of each with two parts of distilled water. This mixture can kill bed bugs on contact and it dries very quickly if sprayed on sheets and mattresses
Neem oil is a great natural insect repellent that is beneficial and won’t irritate your skin. Be sure to rub it all over your body before getting under any covers
Diatomaceous earth is a great insect killer as it is non-toxic to humans but the tiny rock like remains of skeletons will cut up the insect from the inside
If you prefer you can get a variety of over-the-counter pesticides, insecticides and repellents online or at your local pet store.
For a more thorough clean we suggest getting professional pest control services as they usually are the best way and the most thorough way to get rid of pests. They are convenient if you have the money.
Do bedbugs fly?
Bed bugs to not jump or fly but are known to be able to crawl very fast from one location to another. Their legs aren’t strong enough to noticeably jump and they don’t have wings.
Where do bedbugs hide?
Bed bugs hide during the day as they are nocturnal. They sometimes can be found in the crevices and cracks of walls and floors but mostly in furniture
Bedbugs can be found anywhere where humans live, they are most exclusive to humans. Bed bugs can come from theaters, family members, workplace, office buildings, day-cares, police stations, colleges, universities, schools, fire stations, nursing homes and anywhere really.
How to control them
If you want to get rid of them yourself then be sure to use techniques which will not harm you
Ensure that you have no clutter in your room and especially in your bedroom
Keep beds and other furniture away from walls
Be sure to treat your bedding, pillowcases and blankets in a hot dry tumble dryer for 30 minutes. An option is to use box spring covers.
Prevent them from entering by sealing crevices and cracks where wires and pipes enter your property
Warnings for when using pesticides
If you’d prefer to use pesticides make sure not to use indoor pesticides outside and vice versa.
Only registered human safe pesticides can be used directly on your skin. Be sure to read the instructions and do not apply incorrectly.
Ensure that the pesticides that you were using are safe for you to use and are registered with the US environmental protection agency
Signs of an infestation
If you cannot see the bed bugs you might notice signs of infestation which can include:
- Bites all over your skin that are red and itchy, they are flattened in appearance and are in a zigzag or straight line formation.
- If your nights are suddenly difficult to bear, especially after being out and possibly sleeping in a new environment, you might have caught some.
- You will notice the marks on the exposed parts of your body. Bedbugs usually bite into any skin they can find unlike fleas which tend to bite along the ankles
- You might smell an unpleasant “wet towel” musty be like odor in the bed. This is because of the feces of that bed bugs leave especially when they’re in large numbers
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