Bed bugs are especially well-known for their propensity to hide in beds and prey on humans as they sleep. Bed bugs have lived on the planet for thousands of years.
Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped, wingless parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other animals. Adult bed bugs are about as big as an apple seed and have a brownish-red color.
During the day, they hide on beds (mattress seams, box springs, and bed frames) and in cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and furniture. They are nocturnal and usually bite people while they sleep.
They consume blood but are not known to transmit disease to people. Some people may develop allergies to their bites that are itchy and painful also.
Bed bug infestations are common in homes, hotels, and other buildings. According to Forbes, and with data suggesting that one in every five Americans has either experienced bed bug infestation or even knows someone who has encountered them, you may have to deal with these bothersome pests at some time.
It is difficult to get rid of a bed bug infestation, but there are actions you can do to avoid importing bed bugs into your house.
Before we get started, it’s critical to know how they get into your home and their signs of infestation to prevent future infestations from occurring there!
From Where Do They Enter Your Home?
As we know, bed bugs adore humans and love to gather in areas with a high population density. They might come from other affected regions or through worn furniture.
They may travel in bags, purses, backpacks, and soft or upholstered surfaces. They may move between rooms in multi-unit structures like apartment buildings and motels.
They often enter through doorways or windows, especially if there’s a crack in one of these areas.
So your next question is, what are their signs of infestation?
Signs of Infestation
Are you unsure whether you have bedbugs or anything else? If yes, Here are several indicators of bed bugs to look for:
First, If you wake up with itching and reddish regions which weren’t there before you went to sleep, you may have bed bugs, especially if you purchased a used bed or other used furniture around the time the bites began.
Sheets might potentially have blood stains. Infestation can also be identified by looking for their shed skin, dropping, and bed bugs (themselves) around the bed.
Note: If you detect an infestation, remove all mattresses and thoroughly inspect them for evidence of bugs or waste. Examine the area around the bed, including inside books, telephones or radios, the carpet’s border, and even electrical outlets.
If you see evidence of an infestation, take immediate action to eliminate the bugs and keep them from returning.
How To Control Bed Bugs? ( 4 Ways To Control Them)
It is possible to control bed bug infestation, but it typically necessitates an “integrated pest management” (IPM) strategy. IPM is an environment-friendly approach that relies on pest knowledge and a combination of basic logical practices such as inspection, monitoring, clutter reduction, crack sealing, non-chemical methods, and careful use of pesticides, if necessary.
Here are a few methods for preventing bed bugs from reproducing and infesting your house.
- Clear the clutter
- Vacuum regularly
- Non-chemical treatment
- Use insecticides
1. Clear the Clutter
Clear up all the clutter around your bed. If bedbugs are hiding beneath areas in your bedroom or house, they may soon relocate to a new position where you may eliminate them effortlessly.
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Vacuum Regularly
Vacuum regularly helps to minimize bed bug populations. Look for gaps and crevices around your carpet, flooring bed, box spring, or bed frame where they can hide or reside.
When you’re through, dump away your vacuum contents to keep them from coming back out.
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Non-Chemical Control Methods
Another effective way to control bed bugs is using specialized equipment for steaming, heating, or freezing infected items that cannot be cleaned or dried. Using a thermostat or space heater to raise the interior temperature will not kill the bed bugs.
Launder bed linens and garments regularly. Set drying time for 25-30 minutes on the maximum heat setting.
Place tiny objects in the freezer for four days. Treat infected furniture with hot steam.
Replace badly contaminated things.
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Use Insecticide (Diatomaceous Earth)
Diatomaceous Earth is a white powder-like material found in nature that kills insects. Follow the guidelines and only use DE designated for insects.
Apply Diatomaceous earth to cracks and crevices in walls, bed frames, places surrounding the bed, behind wall plates, and at the wall-floor junction.
Wear a mask before applying DE. During follow-up inspections, apply DE_dust to any new harborages discovered.
Be patient while using DE because it can kill bed bugs in one to two weeks and remove an infestation in two months.
Make Your Living Space Bed Bugs Free
No doubt, fighting bed bugs is an intimidating and challenging job. Hopefully, we’ve covered a lot of what bed bugs are and how to prevent them from getting into your home.
Follow the above guide for keeping these hitch-riding creatures away from your home. The most important thing is to keep your home and belongings free from clutter so that there are fewer places for them to hide (and bite).
Be wary of allowing bed bugs to get in, and follow these strategies if you’re worried about coping with a bed bug infestation. All you need is a little knowledge to become bed bug-free!