Bed bugs have been invading the homes ofhumans and feasting on their blood for thousands of years. In the mid 20th century, cases of bed bugs decreased as pesticides and other chemicals were introduced, however over the last 2 or 3 decades reports of bed bugs have been steadily increasing to the point that some experts believe we may be on the verge of of pandemic. If you have an infestation, you will already know how difficult they are to control, so in this article I will show how to get rid of bed bugs.
What are Bed Bugs?
They infest human habitats and usually come out to feed at night. When they are sucking blood, they inject a local anasthetic and anti-coagulant into their victim’s bloodstream, which prevents them from feeling the bite and waking up and ensures that the blood flows freely and doesn’t clot.
What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bug bites can vary from person to person – some people may develop sore, patchy red spots on their skin, whilst others may show no visible symptoms at all. The photograph on the left shows an example of how bed bug bites may manifest.
Also, the time between gettin a bed bug bite and the symptoms appearing on the skin can vary, so the symptoms may not develop until a day or two after the host has been bitten.
On rare occasions, bed bug bites can result in allergic reactions that may require medical attention. Fortunately, bed bugs are not known to transmit infectious diseases although it is possible that a secondary infection can develop due to the skin being damaged.
Also, the time between gettin a bed bug bite and the symptoms appearing on the skin can vary, so the symptoms may not develop until a day or two after the host has been bitten.
On rare occasions, bed bug bites can result in allergic reactions that may require medical attention. Fortunately, bed bugs are not known to transmit infectious diseases although it is possible that a secondary infection can develop due to the skin being damaged.
Causes of Bed Bugs
A bed bug infestation is usually caused by someone unwittingly bringing them into the home via objects such as antique or second-hand furniture, second hand clothes or luggage after an overnight trip.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to hire a specialised pest control contractor to take a look at your specific infestation and advise accordingly.
If you would like to try and tackle the problem yourself, the following 5-step process has a high success rate of getting rid of bedbugs in the home without using any pesticides or chemicals.
If you would like to try and tackle the problem yourself, the following 5-step process has a high success rate of getting rid of bedbugs in the home without using any pesticides or chemicals.
- Take Action – Firstly, you need to take action. Do not ignore and the issue and change your sleeping area as this will just compound problem by spreading the bed bug infestation.
- Locate - Identify the areas where the bed bugs are located. This will probably mean dismantling your bed and other nearby furniture. Inspect each piece carefully, looking for telltale signs of bed bug activity such as reddish-brown larvae, blood spots and bed bugs themselves.
- Bedding and Clothing – Wash all bedding (sheets, quilt covers, pillowcases etc.) and clothes that have been stored near areas where the bed bugs have been active on a high setting. All bed bugs, from larvae to nymph to adult, will be killed if exposed to temperatures above 45 degrees C for longer than 7 minutes. Clothing that cannot be washed on high temperatures should be put in the freezer before washing as temperatures below -32 degrees C willkill bed bugs after 15 minutes. Finally, dry the clothing / bedding in the dryer on a high heat setting.
- Vacuum - Whilst the washing machine is running, return to your sleeping area with a vacuum cleaner (the higher the suction, the better) and vacuum the entire area. Pay particular attention to underneath skirting boards, and crevices in the walls, floor and ceiling. Next clean the area with a damp cloth with warm soapy water before applying the vacuum treatment for a second time.
- Seal - Obtain sealable plastic covers for your mattress and pillows and put them on. Any bed bugs that are left over will be trapped within the covers and unable to feed and eventually die of starvation (this can take between 12 and 18 months).
Avoid using bug-killing chemicals and pesticides to get rid of bed bugs unless you are sure you know what you are doing. Bed bugs have developed a resistance to many pesticides and some chemicals can be carcinogenic to humans and should not be used in areas that will have contact with your skin (such as your bed). And, finally, always read the directions on any chemicals before you use them.
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Pests And Diseases
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