Getting Rid Of Bed Bugs

Itchiness can be the bane of one’s existence. If you’ve experienced going to bed worry-free and then waking up the day after with a bad case of itchiness, then you may have a bed bug infestation in your hands. Bed bugs are a problem you should confront head on. Don’t allow the infestation to worsen, and definitely don’t allow it to spread to neighboring rooms and apartments.

Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped, brownish insects which live on the blood of animals or humans. Adults generally have flat bodies the size of an apple seed. After feeding, the color of these insects become red. They’re active mainly at night, and their bites can lead to itchy welts.

Bed bugs live in groups, though they don’t nest. You can find them hiding in mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. All of these locations give the bed bugs easy access to their meal –you.

But bed bugs can also scatter throughout the room and even nearby apartments. As long as the nook or crevice is warm, bed bugs can thrive.

The key to getting rid of bed bugs is through knowing how they spread. Bed bugs can enter your home through luggage, clothing, used beds and couches. It can be easy to overlook them. Bed bugs can fit into tiny spaces the size of a credit card.

There are two things you can do: first, confirm the source of itchiness, and second, decide on a treatment.

Itchiness can be caused by a number of things. To confirm that bed bugs are the cause, check if you feel itchy only after sleeping on a particular bed or furniture. Blood stains on that furniture can indicate the feeding of bedbugs. Dark or rusty spots of bedbug excrement, egg shells or shed skins are also clear indicators.

Make sure to be thorough in checking. Remove all bedding and check for the signs, same with box springs, other furniture, your carpet, closets and even book shelves.

If you are unsure of what you’re looking for, it’s best to consult a pest professional. An exterminator would reliably know the signs of a bed bug infestation.

The second thing you need to do is to decide on and start the treatment. Getting rid of bed bugs can involve different techniques.

There are heat or non-chemical methods. You can simply clean your beddings, linens and any other washable surface in hot water and then dry. You can scrub the mattress seams with a stiff brush, and vacuum the mattress seams, your bed and surrounding area, and so on.

Just remember to bring the vacuum trash outdoors, as you don’t want the bed bugs simply going back inside.

You can also use pesticides carefully, to ensure comprehensive treatment. It’s best to hire a pest management professional to do it for you.

After treatment, be active in preventing the re-entry of bed bugs. Keep your mattress and box springs in a zippered cover to prevent the migration of bed bugs. Repair cracks in your house fixture to get rid of hiding places, and get rid of your clutter. With these in mind, keep out the bed bugs for good.