Bed bugs are pesky creatures that can steal not just your sleep but also your peace of mind. It is necessary to keep them out of your property so they do not interrupt your day-to-day life. They are creatures that come out at night when everyone is asleep.
Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide that is given out during exhalation. They are also attracted to the body heat of humans. Owing to their tiny size it is hard to catch them. This blog will help you with ways to identify, detect and prevent these pests from infesting your home:
How do you identify bed bugs?
- Adult bed bugs are around the size of an apple-seed.
- They are small, flat, oval-shaped insects with 6 legs and 2 antennae. Their eggs are white and tiny.
- Bed bugs have small vestigial wings but cannot jump or fly. They can run and they live in groups.
- Their eyes are big and protrude from either side of their heads.
Some signs of bed bug infestation
- If you experience reddish, itchy bumps on areas on skin such as arms, hands, and legs those could be a sign of bed bugs in your home.
- You may find 1 mm-sized white and oval-shaped eggs in some common hiding spots such as areas around the bed, seams of the mattress, in folds of curtains etc.
- Homes with bed bug infestations have a musty, and unusual smell due to the presence of pheromones giving out smells similar to raspberries or cilantro.
- Finding bloodied spots on bed sheets, pillows and linens is another sign of a bed bug infestation.
- Bed bugs also leave small, dark brown spots that can be found on sheets mattresses, headboards, and clothes and are faucal marks.
Identifying Hiding Spots of Bed Bugs
- Blankets, comforters, pillows and pillowcases are some common spots bed bugs use for hiding.
- They also hide inside mattresses, in the piping, along seams and folds.
- Bed bugs also use the portions inside the box spring.
- They can also be found in seams and folds of chairs, couches and sofas
- Bed bugs can also be found in cracks and crevices in walls, in clothing, closets, luggage, bags and backpacks.
- You can also check your nightstands, dressers, bookshelves, tables, rugs, doors and window frames, headboards etc. for active bed bugs and eggs.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs from Infesting Your Home?
Alterations to the environment
- Keep the bed at a distance from the walls so that it doesn’t touch the walls.
- Seal any cracks, crevices and gaps present in your home as they are used by bed bugs and other pests to come into your house.
- Do not bring couches, upholstery, bed frames, mattresses, box springs or any other piece of furniture lying on the street into the house. Also avoid buying second hand mattresses and beds for your home.
- Discard bed bug-infested couches, mattresses or any other furniture if they are heavily infested. Do so in a responsible manner as that will prevent someone else from taking it up for their own use.
Non chemical methods
- Use mattress cases and wash it along with the sheets, linens, pillowcases and blankets in hot water regularly. Dry these articles on the highest setting of the dryer.
- You may also use the freezer for killing off bed bug eggs and larvae. For that you just need to place the infested items inside the freezer for 3-4 days.
- Use a steam cleaner to access cracks and openings, carpets, couches, drawers, baseboards, bed frames, and other furniture. Ensure that the steam temperature of the device is at least 130 degree F. Take care not to scatter the bed bugs due to strong airflow.
- Bed bug interceptor traps are efficient non-chemical agents which can be beneficial in eliminating bed bugs. You need to place them under the legs of furniture to catch bed bugs and keep them from climbing the legs. You can buy one from the market or you can make your own DIY traps. Check the interceptors once in every 10-12 days.
- Check the hotel rooms thoroughly which you would be using during travel. Bed bugs are hitchhikers and they travel effortlessly by latching onto backpacks and luggage.
Chemical methods
- Bug bombs or foggers can also be used with due precaution for getting rid of bed bugs.
- Bed bug-specific pesticides are also a good idea if used with proper caution. Make sure to use the least-toxic ones. Also make sure to read and follow all the safety instructions and warnings given with the product.
- Desiccants like diatomaceous earth on areas commonly used by bed bugs. You can get rid of bed bugs easily only by applying this chemical onto cracks and gaps in walls, bed frames, behind furniture, spaces around the bed and other such spaces.
Hire a bed bug control service provider
- Make sure to find a pest control company that has proper licensing. Find one with the help of relevant directories, or professional associations.
- Speak to a few pest control companies offering bed bug control services before selecting one. Inquire about their experience and bed bug management strategy.
- Trained bed bug professionals have the experience, tools and knowledge of product usage necessary. Hence it is better to rely on professionals for handling a bed bug infestation.
- Finalize on a particular bed bug service after finding their costs. They will decide on the number of treatment sessions depending on the scale of the infestation. They may also suggest another follow-up consultation to make sure that the entire bed bug infestation has been removed. Apartments and residences with a large-scale infestation will take multiple sessions to remove bed bugs.
Do not put the wellbeing and peace of mind of your family at risk due to the bed bug infestation. It’s completely probable that you won’t be able to get rid of bed bugs on your own. Ensure hiring a pest control company for the bed bug infestation in your property.
