Collaborative Post
The truth is that bed bugs are surprisingly common. They are wily and tough, not to mention the fact that they multiply quickly. As a result, they can often go undetected for months on end between meals. If you have bed bugs in your home, then it is imperative that you do everything you can to get rid of them. Read on to learn more.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Obviously, one of the biggest clues that you have a bed bug problem is seeing the bugs. However, the bugs are often small, and so they can be easy to miss. Bed bug bites are another great way to tell if you have an infestation. The bites leave small, itchy red marks on the skin. The bites often clear up on their own, but they can be incredibly uncomfortable while they are doing so. Patient Info has some great advice on how to deal with bed bug bites while you are trying to rid them from your home.
Identify the Areas of Infestation
You need to find the bed bugs early to stop them from reproducing; dealing with a smaller infestation is far easier and cheaper. That being said, smaller infestations can be harder to detect. Use a torch and a magnifying glass if necessary. Obviously, you should look for live bugs. They are often quite small and reddish, brownish in colour. Dark spots on your mattress about the size of a full stop which are the bed bug’s droppings, any reddish staining on the mattress, which are signs of dead bedbugs that have been crushed and the small eggshells from hatchlings. Ideally, you should try and catch one of the bugs for closer inspection to ensure that it is indeed a bed bug.
Killing the Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can be killed with extremely hot or cold temperatures. Wash any affected bedding or clothes in a hot wash before putting them on a high heat in the dryer – if you have one. Steam clean the mattress, curtains, carpets or any other places that they might be hiding. Seal any infested items in plastic bags and leave them for up to six months to ensure that they are all dead. Or conversely, you could put the bags in a freezer for a few days or outside in a hot car for a few days.
After you have done everything you can to get rid of all visible bed bugs, you need to then make the area of the home inhospitable for any bugs that are still lurking. You can find a bed-bug-proof mattress cover. Encase your mattress completely, the bugs won’t be able to get out, and new ones can’t get in. If your other methods have failed, then you might need an insecticide.
In Conclusion
Bed bugs are quite hardy little creatures. If you do have an infestation, you need to do everything you can to deal with it before you move back into your home. Otherwise, it will become a cycle of getting rid of visible bed bugs, leaving some lurking behind that will grow in numbers to reinfest your home. You do not have to deal with them alone; if you find yourself out of your depth, then seek professional help to deal
Leave a Reply