Geographically, bed bugs are all over the place. They are a result of tropical climates, and are now more prevalent in developing countries. Since bugs are fantastic hitchhikers, they’re discovered in motels, hotels shelters, apartments, motels dorm rooms, and other recreational zones like cinemas across the globe.
Infesting your bed bug-ridden home
Did you have the knowledge that bedbugs are specialists hiding? Although they don’t stick onto you like a frog, they may get into your possessions, such as your luggage bags, laptop bag and clothes and never even realize that you’ve brought them back home.
Bedbugs can be easily spread. If you are living in an apartment bugs can be found from room to room via the wire holes and pipes. Bugs can also travel in the event of disturbance or when there is a shortage in food (meaning there is no blood left to suck) or in areas that are a breeding ground. If you pass down or inherit a furniture that is infested or utilize vacuum cleaners to clean several rooms, they are able to spread easily.
Where can you find them?
Bed bugs can be discovered in mattresses, furniture as well as in headboards, carpets and mattresses. But they’re not only found in these locations. Bed bugs favor quiet, dark areas close to their hosts and usually find refuge in crevices and locations that carbon dioxide and warmth make a perfect place to breed such as holes in flooring, baseboards and loose wallpapers, behind picture frames , and even in clothes even though they don’t have the ability to create holes into the wall.
Tips to keep bed bugs from invading your home
Bedbugs have never truly left. They’re just waiting for the right moment to get on a ride and spread once more, especially after traveling internationally and shifts to the use of pesticides occurred.
Here are some suggestions you can do to stop the intruders from gaining access to your house.
- While it is cheaper, you should avoid purchasing second-hand furniture and mattresses.
- If you do, be sure to check it thoroughly.
- If you are traveling, make sure to check the room of your hotel, including the mattress, box springs and headboards, for signs of bed bugs.
- Before you start, put your bags into the bathtub.
- After returning to your home, machine wash and dry all clothes in a hot temperature.
- Cleanse beddings regularly and dry them with high heat.
- Spend money on bed bug mattress covers to keep out and eliminate the bugs that are in the mattress as well as the box springs.
Be aware that the existence of bedbugs isn’t a health issue. If you’re a man woman, a child or living in an unclean or clean house, bed bugs are always around. Actually warm temperatures along with carbon dioxide, are the two main factors that attracted them, which is why they’re found in furniture and mattresses. And , contrary to popular opinion they do not draw attention to light, blood, urine. However, fabrics or wood as well as areas which encourage CO2 and warmth are their preferred hiding spots so be on the lookout.
What are bed bugs. Symptoms, bites, how to kill them
The scientific name is Cimex or lectularius (Cimidae) The bed bugs are tiny bugs which feed by consuming the warmblooded mammals. They are part of an insect group called Cimicidae and are biologically distinct in comparison to dust mites. If you noticed an odour that was sweet and musty at home, there’s a good chance you’re living with these creatures.
Appearance
They have bodies that are flat which have a reddish-brown colour and may appear redder when they eat. Bed bugs that are adults can be between five and seven millimetres, and nymphs can be as small as 1.5mm and about that of 2 grain of salt. The good news is that they can be observed by your naked eyes.
Life cycle
Female bed bugs could lay up 500 eggs in her lifetime. Similar to other insects the life of a bed bug begins with an egg that is milky white and grainy in color. After a period of one to two weeks eggs begin hatching and transform into nymphs that are white or yellow-white.
Nymphs need to begin to consume blood to finish its molting phase. The molt process is repeated five times prior to becoming an adult. A temperature range of 70F between 70F and 80F is the most favorable for bed bugs. This makes the nymph stage only for 3 weeks before turning into adults. In colder climates the nymphs can be able to take months to reach maturity.
When it reaches maturity it’ll turn into a bed bug, and will last for around 10 months or so.
Movement
Did you be aware that bed bugs possess wings that have been discarded? But they can’t jump or fly, but they can crawl quickly, moving from one location to the next.
What food do they eat?
Bed bugs are primarily fed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals including humans. They feed most often in the evening when humans are sleeping. However, there are times when they are seen during daylight hours and are feeding particularly when hungry.
Where are they located?
The name is a clue bed bugs can be found in mattresses, beds as well as headboards, box springs, and headboards. They can also be found hiding in crevices, folds, cracks in curtains, the edges of carpets corners of dressers, holes in wallpaper and the seams of furniture that are upholstered.
In contrast to fleas and lice, bed bugs aren’t biologically equipped with claws that enable them to traverse your hair. They are still able to get into your hair, but they don’t necessarily wish to be there, and would rather have your skin.
Bed bugs also don’t live in the same place and can’t travel with pets. Similar to humans insects are known attach to the pet’s bedding or clothes which is why they are able to be a nuisance and spread throughout the home.
How do you keep bed bugs in your home?
Bed bugs are not a problem. can be not a problem of sanitation. Remember that they’re excellent hitchhikers who can travel between places while people travel. They will cling to clothing, suitcases bags for laptops, backpacks or even purses which means they are able to infest other places. If you recently bought second-hand furniture or were from a bed bug-infested property or area, there’s a greater chance you’ll carry bed bugs along with you.
There is also a danger of contracting bed bugs if your home is in multi unit structures and one of the rooms is affected. In addition they are able to get through holes in walls, hollows and tubes through which conduct electricity and pipes when they’re disturbed or there is a requirement for food or sheltering areas.
In spite of their method of transport they don’t adhere to your skin and are more concerned with the blood of your.
Health and bed bugs: Are it affecting you?
They are more of an inconvenience than hazardous. They’re much more of an emotional concern as some people be frightened, which can affect their sleeping habits. They may also trigger anxiety, restlessness and nervousness particularly for those who have been regularly infected.
There is also an increased risk of contracting infection in the event that bites from bed bugsare constantly scratched until the level of breaking the skin. The best method to treat a rash is apply an anti-itch cream or an antihistamine to ease the pain. Applying an ice compress to the area affected can aid in the treatment.
They’re usually safe and aren’t carriers of disease. If you suffer from asthma, you may suffer an asthmatic reaction due the skin shed by the insects. There are instances where bed bug bites could lead in an allergic reaction.
Bed bugs aren’t the same as mosquitoes which transmit lethal dengue virus. However, there are studies suggesting that bed bugs could transmit viruses, which could result in Hepatitis B or Chagas disease. But, these claims have to be confirmed.
What do you do if you are bitten by bed bugs?
Eliminating bed bugs isn’t easy but it doesn’t mean you have to move and moving to a different location. If your house is awash in bugs it is possible that they’ll travel with you and stick to your furniture, mattresses, and other items of soft that you’ll be bringing into the new house.
However, here are a few suggestions for you to consider:
- Clean beddings, clothes and clothing, then dry and launder them at an extremely high temperature.
- Sun-dry clothes that can’t be washed for more than 24 hours.
- Vacuum areas plagued with bed bug infestations. To increase the effectiveness of your vacuum you should scrape the area while you vacuum.
- For the best results, consult an expert in pest management who employs an integrated pest control methods so they can inspect thoroughly and treat bed bugs, and then remove bed bugs.
Tips for how to make bed bug-proof your home.
Prevention is always better than curing. If you’re looking to keep your home free of insects, this is the way to do.
- Clean everything from your luggage to clothes you traveled with.
- Launder bedding sheets, clothing, and pillows in hot water.
- Beware of mattresses and furniture that is secondhand until they have been properly assessed by a pest management expert.
- Be sure to regularly check the places where pets rest to look for signs of bed bugs.
It can take some time to eliminate bed bugs. They are still more of an issue than a health risk. With the right treatment and methods, you’ll be able to manage and ultimately prevent an infestation of bedbugs.