Bedbugs: How to Identify And Get Rid of Them

Bedbugs are tiny, oval insects that feed on the blood of both animals and people. Bedbugs are reddish, apple seed-sized insects that can be mistaken for fleas. Their flat bodies are around the size of an apple seed after feeding. Their bodies, on the other hand, expand and become crimson in color after eating.

Bedbugs are wingless insects that can swiftly crawl across floors, walls, and ceilings. A lifetime's worth of female bedbugs might lay hundreds of eggs the size of a dust speck.

Immature bedbugs, also known as nymphs, shed their exoskeletons five times before reaching maturity and require a blood meal before each molt. The bugs can mature rapidly under ideal circumstances and may do so in as little as one month, resulting in three or more generations each year.

Although they are a pest, they are not considered to be disease vectors.

Where Do They Hide?

Bedbugs may be carried into your house unnoticed in luggage, clothing, used beds and sofas, and other things. The small size of their bodies enables them to slip into the space of a credit card.. Bedbugs do not have the same nesting habits as ants or bees, but they prefer to reside in groups and hide in secluded locations. Bed bugs begin their hiding places in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards where they have easy access to people to bite at night.

They may even spread throughout the bedroom over time, moving into any gap or sheltered spot. They may also migrate to neighboring rooms or flats.

Bedbugs only feed on blood, so having them in your house is not an indication of uncleanliness. You're as likely to find bedbugs in clean homes and hotel rooms as you are in filthy ones.

When a Bedbug Bite

Bedbugs are most active at night and usually bite people as they sleep. They pierce the skin and draw blood via a long beak after feeding for three to ten minutes. Once engorged, they crawl away undetected after feeding for three to ten minutes.

Bedbug bites, unlike flea bites, are usually painless at first and then become itchy welts. Bedbug bites occur on any area of skin exposed while sleeping, whereas flea bites are mostly around the ankles. Furthermore, bedbug bites do not have a red center like flea bites do.

People who don't realize they have a bedbug infestation may think the itching and welts are from something else, like mosquitoes. To confirm that it is bedbugs biting you, you must find and identify the bugs themselves.

Signs of Infestation

If you have bedbugs and wake up with itchy regions on your skin that you didn't have when you went to sleep, this is a good indication. Other indicators that you have bedbugs include:

1. Your bedding or pillowcases may be stained with blood.
2. Bedbugs deposit feces on mattresses, bed linens, and walls. The excrement is either dark or rusted in appearance.
3. Bedbug feces, egg shells, or shed skins can be found in hiding places.
4. The bugs' scent glands give off an offensive, stale smell.

What to do Next

Remove any bedding from the room and carefully examine it for signs of bugs or excrement. Examine the seams in the wood frame after removing the dust cover from over the box springs. Remove the staples from the fabric and pull it away from the wood frame.

Also, inspect the area surrounding the bed, including books, telephones, and radios, as well as the carpet's edge. Bedbugs can be found in your closet, so check there. Bedbugs may hide on clothes and attach to them, so keep an eye out if you're not sure whether or not you have them.

If you discover any pest infestations, take action to eliminate the pests and keep them from returning.

Treatments For Bed Bugs

Bedbugs can be difficult to get rid of because they hide in small spaces and may survive for months without eating. Removing bedbugs begins with cleaning up the areas where they live. The following should all be cleaned:

• Place clean bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in a hot water and air-dry on the highest dryer setting. Place stuffed animals, shoes, and other items that can't be washed in the dryer for 30 minutes on high.
• Before vacuuming, use a firm brush to clean mattress seams of bedbugs and their eggs.
• Frequently vacuum your mattress and surrounding area. After vacuuming, seal the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and throw it away outside the house.
• To keep bedbugs from entering or escaping your mattress, cover it with a tightly woven, zippered cover. Bedbugs can live without feeding for up to a year, so make sure the cover is on your mattress for at least that long to ensure all the bugs are dead.
• There are some things you can do to help get rid of bedbugs. You can repair cracks in plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper. This will help to get rid of any places where the bugs might be hiding.
• Remove any clutter from around your bed. This will make the space look neater and more organized.

If your mattress is infested by bedbugs, you may want to get rid of it and buy a new one. However, take care to get rid of all the bedbugs in your home or they will infest your new mattress.

Complete Riddance of Bed Bugs

You can control bedbugs by cleaning the areas where they are found. However, getting rid of them usually requires using chemicals. It is important to use products that can be used safely in bedrooms. Do not treat mattresses and bedding with chemicals unless the label says it is safe to do so.

Most people find it safest and most effective to hire a professional pest controller to get rid of bedbugs.