How to Battle Bed Bugs
Suspecting or discovering a bed bug infestation can be a nightmare. Bed bugs are tiny, they suck blood, and can quickly multiply, making the problem even worse if you don’t address the issue as soon as possible.
In this guide, we’ll look at some practical tips on prevention, identifying a problem and general bed bug treatment…
What You Need to Know about Bed Bugs
Also known as Cimex lectularius, bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals.
Despite their name, they are not just limited to beds, and can be found in various places such as furniture, luggage, and clothing.
Bed bugs are nocturnal but due to their tiny size, are very good at hiding in cracks, crevices, and other tiny spaces during the day, So it’s difficult to find them and exterminate them whilst they are hiding or sleeping.
How to Identify Bed Bugs
In order to confirm that you’re dealing with bed bugs, you’ll need a keen eye for detail. Here’s what characteristics to look for:
Size, shape, and colour
Adult bed bugs are about 4-5 millimetres long. Their bodies are flat and oval shaped. Their colour ranges from translucent white as young bed bugs (aka nymphs). Young bed bugs will shed their skin several times before maturing. Red-brown is the colour of an adult bed bug, they’ll swell and turn a darker, more reddish-brown after feeding on blood.
How do bed bugs behave?
Bed bugs are active at night. They are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide. They will feed on any exposed skin, leaving behind itchy red bumps, often in clusters or rows.
Looking for evidence of an infestation:
If you don’t see the bugs themselves (which can be hard given their tiny size), look for signs of activity such as tiny blood spots on your bedding, furniture, or clothes.
You may also notice dark faecal stains that look like pepper flakes or even shed exoskeletons.
How to Treat and Remove Bed Bugs
If you’ve confirmed that you have a bed bug problem, then it’s time to take a multi-step approach to hopefully get rid of them for good. Here’s a step-by-step:
Inspection: check your home thoroughly and try to identify areas of infestation, whether that’s bedrooms, sofas, or other rooms. Use a torch and magnifying glass to look for the bugs, their eggs, and blood and faecal stains.
Laundry Time: Hot wash all bedding, linens, and clothing. Up the temperature to at least 60°C and, if you have a tumble dryer, dry your items on the highest heat setting for at least half an hour. Doing this will help kill the bed bugs, as well as their eggs.
Vacuum Everything: That includes carpets, upholstery, and everywhere you possibly can to maximise the chance of removing bugs, eggs, and droppings. Empty the vacuum remains into an outside bin immediately afterwards to prevent chance of re-infestation.
Try Steam Cleaning: High temperatures kill bed bugs and their eggs, so you may want to try steam cleaning hiding places such as cracks and crevices.
Try Anti Bed Bug Covers: These covers can be put on mattresses and pillows to prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping.
Preventing Bed Bugs
There are several steps you can take in order to prevent bed bugs, here are some tips:
Check Secondhand Furniture: Nothing wrong with being thrifty, but before you bring previously used furniture, whether that’s a sofa or a bed, into your home, you should inspect it for signs of bed bugs. Avoid buying items from questionable sources, opt for legitimate resellers instead.
Use Caution When Travelling: If staying in certain hotels, hostels, and other accommodations, give the bed a quick check for signs of bed bugs. Otherwise you’ll be in for an uncomfortable night.
Seal Cracks and Gaps: This can stop any small creature or bug from invading, use sealant or caulk on any walls, floors or crevices. Install door sweeps, and seal up any gaps or tears in furniture fabric too.
Declutter: A home with less clutter will eliminate places for bed bugs to hide and rest in. Regularly vacuum and clean areas such as bedrooms and living rooms, paying extra attention to under your sofa or bed.
If All Else Fails, Call a Professional
Now you are more informed, you can detect and prevent bed bugs, protecting your home against infestations.
Having said that, bed bugs can be notoriously hard to eliminate, you have to be proactive in order to stop them spreading fast.
If you are unable to tackle the problem yourself, don’t be afraid to contact a professional. They can take care of your problem fast and efficiently.
