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Bed Bugs disturbing your sleep! Find ways to eliminate them

Most people have heard of the phrase "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" but they don't actually realize that this statement is quite true without knowing" what are bed bugs?" Some characteristics of the bed bug include:

They are wingless bugs
They have Six legs
Large antennae
A Squat head
Large mandibles, or mouth parts
They have a Complex life-cycle involving many stages of development
They have the ability to survive without feeding for months at a time
Susceptible to extremes of temperature.

They generally grow to less than an inch in length, usually around a quarter of an inch, and they can run really fast. They are extremely hard to spot and they are brown in color which changes dark when they are feeding, like fleas.

Bed bugs used to be really common in the past for example, during the Second World War. This was because hygiene wasn't as good as it is today. However, today, although hygiene standards are really high, bed bugs can still be quite common and they are stronger now than they ever were before. Although they do not pass on any diseases, they can be really troublesome to people who have a bed bug allergy.

The two main types of bed bugs are Cimex Lectularius which is the most common bed bug, and the Cimex Hemipterus which is a tropical bed bug. They both feed on blood from warm blooded mammal including humans. They mainly target shoulders and arms and after they have bitten you it could potentially lead to a bed bug allergy.

How will you know if your bed is infested with bugs?

The main way to tell if you have bed bugs in your home is to check daily for any bites that you or any family members may have received overnight.. Some bed bug symptoms include:

Large wheals which reduce to a red mark and then gradually fade over a few days
Itchiness
Reddening of the skin
Localized swelling
Blisters around the bites
Small loss of skin tissue in some cases

If you do find bite marks on you but you have not yet developed any symptoms, here are a few ways to check for bed bugs:

The bed bugs are quite hard to see because they hide in small cracks and crevices. So a thorough examination is needed to find them.
There may be small bloodstains from any crushed bugs on the bedding.
Rusty or dark spots of bug excrement can be found on mattresses, bedding and walls.
If you notice an offensive, sweet, musty odor it may be from their scent glands which may be detected when infestations are severe.

Causes of an infestation

Bed bugs will go to places that have a high occupancy rate. These places could include hotels, hostels, apartments and motels. They travel place to place as they hide in clothing, bedding and luggage. As long as there are plenty of things to feed on, they will thrive.

How can you Prevent, Control and Eliminate Bed Bug Infestation?

If you have a bed bug infestation, a high standard of hygiene is not enough to control the problem. However, it will reveal the true extent of the problem, allowing you to clearly see the bugs.

It is recommended that you do some of the following:-

Wash all bedding using hot water
Clean surfaces thoroughly
You can empty the mattress then seal in some dark plastic leaving it to dry in the sun as long as possible.
steam cleaning carpets it can help to get rid of any bed bugs living there
Look for common places for these bugs and spray with a surface of insecticide but remember not to treat any bedding with this.

If the problem is out of control it is best to hire a professional pest control operator. The correct insecticides will be used after a careful examination to see the extent of bed bug infestation.

Other ways to control bed bugs

Mattresses and box springs can be permanently encased within special mattress bags. Once they are installed, look over the bags to see if they are undamaged. If any holes or tears are found, Seal these completely with some permanent tape. Any bugs trapped within these sealed bags will eventually die.

To prevent bed bugs from crawling onto a bed, pull the bed frame from the wall, tuck sheets and blankets so they do not come into contact with the floor, and place the frame legs into dishes or cups of mineral oil which will stop any bed bugs climbing up them.

If you are serious about pesticides for treating bed bugs there are few things that you should know first. You should always follow the instructions and if you don't the pesticide could be a health risk. Even pesticides that are of low risk to humans can still have damaging consequences to the environment.

Whichever way you choose to treat your bed bug infestation, make sure you know what you are doing and remember to keep hygiene in order to prevent them as much as possible.

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