Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) belong to the flat bugs and are small, brown insects with the oval shape. The flat parasites nest in the sleeping-places of humans and animals and suck the blood of their hosts, whereby they can enlarge by a few millimeters.
Whether on vacation or at home, in the morning you are plagued by itchy pustules and bite marks, so it could be bed bug bites. The annoying parasites come with luggage from vacation trips to their homes or are brought into the apartment through antiques, second-hand furniture with upholstered elements or rugs. Fortunately, there are some ways to get rid of the insects. You can find out how to prevent, recognize and combat bed bugs on Thermaflow Heat.
Signs that you can have bedbugs
If you wake up with itchy skin areas that you did not have when you fell asleep, it is possible that you have bed bugs, especially if you recently bought some used furniture by the time the bites began. Other signs that you have bugs are:
- Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
- Dark or rusty stains from worm feces on sheets and mattresses, sheets and walls
- Bug stains, egg shells or dandruff skins in areas where bugs hide
- A strange, musty smell.
Bed Bug Bites: Symptoms
Usually, Bed bugs bites are found on the hands, shoulders, neck, legs, neck, and arms. Typically, the bites are grouped in a small area and can occur in a line or zigzag pattern or even a triangle. Bites usually look like small, flat or raised areas that can become inflamed, itchy and red. Bite reactions can sometimes take a few days.
Why are bed bugs in the house or in the apartment a problem?
The small insects have extremely unpleasant consequences for all inhabitants in their environment. They are attracted by body odor, body heat and the CO2 emissions of their hosts. The smell of dirty laundry lures you, so you should not leave your clothes on vacation on the floor. The parasites feed on blood and stab their victims. Since not every trick hits a blood vessel, bed bugs usually sting next to each other several times, so that whole "bug streets" can arise. The stitches cause unpleasant skin irritation, from itchy pustules to bloodshot wheals. In addition to humans, your pets can also be plagued by bed bugs.
Where do bed bugs hide? Where to look for them?
Usually, Bed bugs stay within 1 to 2 feet of where they would live and as they suck blood their victims during sleeping time, it is most common to have an infestation in the bedroom. Some of the most common places they are found are as follows:
- Box spring
- Lie
- Headboard and / or bed frame
- Walls
- Bedside table / chests of drawers
- Curtains
- Under carpets and rugs
- Coffee table
Fighting Bed Bugs In 7 Steps
Once the suspicion of bed bug infestation has been confirmed, the second phase begins: fighting bed bugs.
Anyone who does not know anything at all as a layman, has little time for a detailed search and implementation of recommended methods of control, as well as being financially secure, should definitely consider contacting a professional pest controller.
Fight Bed Bugs – Overview of Methods & Means
In order to fight effectively bed bugs, different methods and means are used. There is not the "miracle solution" for the bed bug problem, but above all, the application of a combination of the different remedies for bedbugs can lead to sustainable success.
It is divided into the three main areas of action against the unruly pests. However, it does not claim to be complete, but rather serves as an overview of what can be done or used against bedbugs in principle. The methods and remedies used for bedbugs are summarized in the following.
Recognize Bed Bugs:
- Check signs for bed bug infestation
- Bed Bug Monitors
- Bed Bug Dogs
- ( Bed bug barriers )
Fight Bed Bugs.
- Insecticides / pesticides
- Vacuum
- Heat Treatment
- Cold Treatment
Prevent Bed Bugs
- Room check when traveling
- Luggage protection from bedbugs
- Luggage check before returning
- Checking purchased second-hand items, Impregnated materials Bedbugs barriers
Fight Bed Bugs – Step By Step
Now for the elaborate part: So if you think that bed bugs should have made their way through their own four walls due to luggage, used objects or some other reason, then you can think about the following step by step approach to fighting bed bugs.
What means you ultimately want and can use depends on you. Keep in mind, however, that bedbugs are very unruly little insects and that they could spread through ill-considered behavior.
1. Detect bed bugs
First, you should definitely be sure that it is actually bed bugs. Many people who have come in contact with bed bugs, want to avoid necessarily to carry bed bugs within your own home.
If you're like me, then you'll understand that you can quickly get a bit paranoid.
Finally, it is possible that you will not see the reaction of your body to the bed bug bites from a journey until a few days later. If you're happy, you did not bring the living bed bugs.
2. Analysis Bed Bug Problem
If the suspicion is confirmed, it makes sense to think about possible causes and extent of the bed bug problem.
You should also consider which funds you have available for bedbugs, which funds you might want to buy, or if you'd better get a pro to fight bedbugs for help.
- When did it start?
- Who will be bitten? How many bites?
- Which rooms could be affected?
- What could be the cause?
- Which possibilities of bedbug control do I have?
- Should I use a professional pest controller?
3. Clean up
The fewer hiding places bed bugs have, the better. Therefore, first clear ship before action is taken. It facilitates the further procedure.
The chances are not so bad that the bedbugs have "only" made themselves comfortable in and around your bed. At least if the infestation has not progressed too far.
In addition, you can better watch where they crawl, if you give them the chance to flee while fighting bedbug
During the cleanup process but no untreated things just in other rooms clear. This can lead to a further spread of the bed bugs, if somewhere a few bed bugs.
4. Wash clothes
If you bump into bedbugs when cleaning up and vacuuming your wardrobe, you can wash your clothes at a minimum of 50 ° C and, if necessary, put them in the tumble dryer afterwards.
Store your clothes in a separate location until the end of your room's bug bed treatment, like as in a storage box made of plastic boxes or in large trash bags that are best sealed airtight.
5. Handle non-washable items
This is a bit more difficult. One possibility is to individually rid the objects of top scents bed bugs hate and bed bug eggs.
These are depending on the subject of various means such as the vacuum cleaner, steam, diatomaceous earth, No-Pest Strips, a special anti-bed bug / anti-insect spray or others.
6. Heat Treatment
As pests become more resistant to traditional chemical control methods, heat treatment has become a recognized and reliable tool in the pest control industry.
A temperature of about 52 ° C may be sufficient to kill bed bugs. The temperature range of heat treatment is even between 56 – 60 ° C. This will drastically increase the likelihood of successfully combating bedbugs. after all, you want to eliminate the problem once and for all.
7. Regular inspection
Even if an expert pest controller has been hired for the problem, a bed bug infestation is rarely resolved in treatment.
Therefore, it is important to monitor the affected room for an extended period of time for signs of live bed bugs and to repeat some of the treatment steps.
