Bed Bugs are some of the worst types of pests. Their small (approx 3mm) size tends to make them extremely hard to be seen and therefore incredibly difficult to get rid of. They are often heard of in news reports which focus on the exposing of bed bugs in high end hotels, where visitors have awoken to uncover dozens of bed bugs bites all over their skin. However, most hotels are actually falsely accused of bed bug infestation, as what many people don’t know is that these pests can be transported through suitcases or clothing of guests from infested homes.
Bed bugs only ever come out at night time to feed on exposed human skin. Bites are small and painless but can often be extremely itchy and can become infected if scratched. In addition to beds they can additionally be discovered on other items of furniture for example sofas or chairs, infestation is particularly tricky to stop because of their small size and also the confusion of many thinking their bites are actually the cause of fleas or other biting pesky insects. You can spot signs of bed bugs by keeping an eye out for dark faecal spots on bed sheets and in crevices around beds, or of course if you tend to be getting bitten during the night on a frequent basis, bed bugs will typically bite about three times in one place (breakfast, lunch and dinner!)
The good thing is that bed bugs have not been proven to transport any illnesses; however studies are still continuing so it’s often an idea to relieve bites with steroid creams or antihistamines to decrease itching and prevent infection. The use of insect repellent to protect against bed bug bites has be tried and examined, uncovering failed results. Therefore, the ideal way to try and prevent infestation is to use bed bug encasements, which keep your mattress and pillows bed bug free, if your bed has legs you can also purchase climb up interceptors, small bowl like units that prevent bugs from climbing up the bed. Of course washing your bedsheets on a hot rinse on a frequent basis will also lessen the likelihood of infestation. As mentioned previously bed bugs are also great travellers, therefore studying your hotel before you book and performing a quick check around your area will also be beneficial.
Just like other sorts of pests such as mice and rats, there are also trapping techniques you can consider in order to predict whether your home is infested. Basic traps such as, coating your bed legs with Vaseline or using double sided tape, will lead to the bed bug becoming trapped allowing you to reveal to your infestation to your landlord. Pest control companies can provide more technical trapping devises, such as the Bed Bug Beacon CO2 Active Monitor’, used to attract the pests from hiding, commonly a good tool for early detection and for keeping the bugs away from your bed throughout an infestation. An additional beneficial tool is the Nightwatch Bed Bug Trap and Monitor’, a similar system to the fly trap, this will lure the bed bugs into the machine using heat and scent and if used for two weeks or more and no bed bugs have been caught, this can be a distinct sign that you has absolutely no infestation.
For peace of mind and for the health and wellbeing of your household, it is a good idea to seek the services of a pest control expert in order to take a look around your home. In worst cased scenarios people caught in an infestation have had no choice but to throw out and replace furniture, catching these pests during the early stages will prevent this and keep your home a healthy and happy place to stay in!
Need information about other pests? Visit this site to learn about fleas and how to control them.
