In recent years, cases of bed bug infestations have increased in North America. Talking about bed bugs is enough to make you itch. We’re going to cover: recognition, extermination, and prevention.
How to recognize bed bugs
To avoid issues with bedbugs and their eggs in your home, and exterminate them, you need to become a pro at recognizing them.
Bed bugs are:
- Visible to the naked eye
- Brown, but red or dark brown if full of blood
- Oval shaped and of a size that resembles that of a grape seed
- Fast, even if they do not jump and fly
- Tough, because they can live more than a year if they are dormant
Bed bug eggs are:
- White color
- The size of a pinhead
- In groups and never isolated
- Hatch 10 to 14 days after being laid
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bugs are typically found in bedrooms, hence the name. They live off of blood, and we sleep in our beds every night; easy targets. However, they can spread out of the bedroom and can be found in:
- Clothing
- Bags and suitcases
- Furnitures such as chairs, sofas, and covers covering them
- Carpets and curtains
- Frames for windows or doors
- Behind baseboard heaters and electrical outlets
If you observe the following clues, bed bugs have adopted your home:
- Presence of live insects and eggs
- Bites or redness on your body
- Black spots or blood on bedding
How to exterminate bed bugs
The faster you act, the easier it will be to exterminate them. They reproduce at one to five eggs a day per adult female.
1. Use a certified exterminator
Do not play the exterminating apprentice. By handling pesticides and chemicals, you risk endangering your health and the health of those who live under your roof.
Choose a recognized exterminator
This instruction applies especially to tenants who have the duty to warn their owners of the presence of bed bugs in their homes as quickly as possible.
2. Follow the advice of the exterminator
For extermination treatments to be effective, it is essential to follow the instructions from the exterminator.
Most often, you will have some cleaning duties to do before his arrival. Some instructions for after the extermination that can stretch over a few weeks.
3. Clean. Clean. Clean.
The best way to beat bed bugs is by keeping your home clean.
Vacuum everywhere (even on mattresses and curtains) and then discard the bag.
Pick up everything, because bedbugs take refuge in your clutter.
Empty drawers, libraries, and dressers.
Remove carpets and curtains, clean them and put them in plastic bags.
4. Inspect your mattresses, bed bases and upholstered furniture
If there are bed bugs
Condemn your mattresses, bedsteads and upholstered furniture by tearing them with an exacto.
Before throwing them out, put them in thick plastic bags or a cover that closes tightly.
Wait for your exterminator’s signal before buying new mattresses, box springs, and furniture.
If there are no bed bugs
Clean them with a steam engine. Then wrap them with a dust bag.
Bed bugs do not like cold temperatures. If it is colder than 15° F, leave your mattresses, box springs and upholstered furniture outside for more than 2 days.
5. Clean fabrics and your items
Fabrics are a favorite place for bed bugs.
Fortunately, there are several ways to clean them in order to get rid of bed bugs.
Once this step is complete, put the fabrics and clean items in an airtight plastic bag.
Washer and dryer
For this technique to work and eliminate bed bugs, follow the following washing instructions:
- Wash in very hot water, about 140° F.
- Immerse completely all items.
- Have a complete wash cycle done.
At the drying stage, make sure that the temperature is as high as possible and that your clothes tumble for more than 30 minutes.
Hot steam
Rent a steam engine to clean fabrics, bedding, furniture and bed bugs, such as baseboard heaters.
Do it in one room of your house. You will reduce the risk of infesting other parts.
Cold
Here the freezer is your best friend, provided its temperature is at least 0° F.
Why? Because it quickly cools your clothes and items and prevents bed bugs from adjusting to the temperature.
Put down your clothes without over-compacting them and let them rest in the freezer for at least 3 days.
How to prevent bed bug infestation
The presence of bedbugs in a place is not caused by uncleanliness – only the bad luck that the insect has been transported to your home.
There are still some rules to apply to avoid an infestation.
Clean and organize
Anything lying on the floor or in drawers is a dream hideaway for bed bugs. Store everything to reduce the risk of contamination.
Inspect used clothing
Be extra careful when buying used clothes in a thrift shop. Carry them in a bag that closes completely. Once at home, inspect your clothes.
Flee items left on the sidewalk
As attractive and clean as the used items left on the sidewalk by your neighborhood may seem, they can harbor bed bugs.
Upholstered furniture, mattresses and box springs should be left where they are.
If you still decide to bring them home, an inspection is required.
Caution when traveling
Upon your arrival, inspect your hotel room paying particular attention to the bed.
To do this, you must first focus on bedding. Then bring the 4 corners of the sheets and ears towards the center of the bed. Tie a knot. You must then examine the mattress and the box spring in all their seams.
If you find any, ask for a new room and transfer all your belongings into an airtight plastic bag until you treat them.
If there are no bed bugs, leave your suitcases in the bath or drop them on the luggage rack.
Do not store your clothes in the dressers and avoid leaving them on the floor or bed.
When you return from your trip
Carefully examine the contents of your suitcases that you have been careful to leave on a hard surface such as the bathroom floor, the entrance or the garage.
If you detect the presence of the enemy, it is time to treat the contaminated items.
Do you hear scratches during the night? Do you notice an insect infestation problem in your house? Call on Bug Blasters Pest Control services in Southern Utah, Nevada, and the surrounding areas.