Are you trying to get a good night’s sleep? That could be next to impossible if your bed is infested with bed bugs. Are you suffering from a bedbug bites? That can be equal to a nightmare, as it can be very distressing and itch like crazy. While bed bugs are surely a pest to contend with, it is good to know there are some good solutions to the problems they present.
Know who the enemy is
Bedbug bite identification
The scientific name is known as “Cimes lectularius”, bed bugs are tiny, wingless insects that can be found anyplace in the world. Bed bugs operate similarly to nocturnal parasites meanings they are active in finding human hosts during nighttime and are normally asleep during the day. They house themselves in on mattresses and bedding where they can find a source of food.
Bedbugs bite using their highly developed mouth parts and they usually do their damage when the person occupying the bed is fast asleep. These parts include an elongated peak that can easily pierce the skin and suck blood. The engorgement period only takes a short period to complete finishing as fast as less than a minute to lasting for as long as three minutes. However, a bed bug bite is painless and the human host will only be able to determine that he has been victimized long after the bed bug has finished the meal.
A bed with many holes and tears may be very uncomfortable for the person sleeping on it but this is the perfect hiding place for bed bugs. Bed bugs are not picky on where they stay as long as they have someone to bite.
Bed bugs can live in mattresses, egg foam, sleeping bags, water beds or even cardboard stacks. Water beds have nooks and crannies and are usually warm, which is the preferred temperature of bed bugs.
How to tell a bedbug bite
You can tell you have been bitten by a bed bug if you see large wheals or red type marks. The red mark or marks only last for a few days. The bite is also made in orderly rows unlike the random pattern made by mosquitoes and could become itchy.
The worst bed bug bites are those that swell and form blisters or even those that result in small loss of skin tissue. It is interesting to note that not all bites or any bite-like reactions are caused by bed bugs. Those bitten should try to find the bugs themselves or consult a specialist.
Bed bug worries
Those bitten should not be too worried about getting any hazardous disease from a bed bug bite. The medical significance of the bites is limited mainly to inflammation and itching. Washing the bite with soap and water is the proper way to immediately treat bites. Various anti-itch creams are available in drugstores.
If you want to make it worse, then just scratch it, as this normally results to an infection. Using an icepack is also advisable to minimize swelling. If the pain gets to severe, taking a prescribed pain-killing medication will help.
Fogging with a recommended chemical has been a popular practice of getting rid of bed bugs. Treatments available today are more focused and judicious. Inspecting a bed bug infestation usually takes a few hours. Homeowners that hire professionals to solve their bed bug problems should follow certain procedures before a room or house if treated.
Garments or beddings that are badly infested need to be discarded, as these cannot be sprayed with insecticides. Reducing clutter is also a requirement. Rooms filled with belongings will just slowdown inspection and treatment.
Infested garments or bedding badly need to be discarded period. Reducing clutter is also a requirement. If you don’t do the above you will just slow down inspection and treatment.
Bed bugs cannot survive any area with temperature of below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, any attempt to kill bed bugs by chilling a room has a low chance of success, as the cold temperature should be maintained for at least two weeks. Pest-control experts normally use a wide array of aerosols, low-odor sprays or dusts.
Maintaining proper cleanliness, hygiene is the best way to avoid bed bug bites. Bed sheets should be changed at least once a week and floors and carpets need to be vacuumed frequently. If possible, find the location of the bedbugs and spray it with a special insecticide to kill a considerable number of these blood suckers.
Good hunting
