Articles All About Bed Bugs
Here you'll find a few of our
articles on Bed Bugs.
How to Control Bed
Bugs
Bed bugs are unlikely and unwanted housemates you might have currently. They can never be as gross and scary as other insects and pests like cockroaches, but they can be really annoying.
Bed bugs are insects that thrive on small holes, cracks or crevices in walls and floors. Generally, bed bugs like to live in dark and untidy corners or portions of the house.
Bed bugs suck blood. It is their primary means of making a living. Hence, they go out at night and suck blood from unsuspecting victims, who may be sleeping by that time.
Bed bugs do not transit or carry communicable diseases, bu their bites can get really really itchy. To some people, especially the more sensitive ones, bed bugs’ bites can pose serious health situations.
Controlling bed bugs
So the basic question you will have in mind for sure (assuming that your house is infested with bed bugs) is, “ How are bed bugs infestation controlled?”
There are a number of measures or means to control bed bugs.
For a start, you may start by preventing the occurrence or existence of bed bugs in your house. If your home is still not infested, be sure to know how to avoid them.
Cleanliness is one key factor in controlling or preventing bed bugs from thriving in your house. Be sure to make your furniture, walls, and floor spic and span.
Bed bugs love to thrive in beds, so, make sure your bed is fully protected. Regularly change your bed sheets and make sure the bed does not contain unnecessary holes or tears.
If your house already has bed bugs on it, a simple way to control infestation is by applying pesticides or insecticides to the infested areas.
A number of commercially available pesticides especially formulated for bed bugs control are available and accessible in the market. In using one, just be sure to carefully read all labels and instructions before use.
Pesticides, of course, are made up of harsh chemicals that can surely knock out insects like bed bugs. These chemicals are so harmful, that aside from controlling bed bugs, they can also pose health hazards or threats to you.
Hiring professionals
The best and probably the most intelligent solution to controlling bed bugs infestation is through seeking the professional help and services of experts---pest control companies.
Controlling bed bugs is not a ‘spur of the moment’ thing. A lot and thorough planning has to be conducted beforehand. Before seeking the expert help, be prepared to discard several materials and furniture, if ever the experts will advise you to.
There are a number of pest control companies in your locality. All you have to do is to pick up the phone, and wait for a few hours.
If you are living in an apartment, coordinate with your land lord or land lady. It is their responsibility to make all the necessary arrangements for pest control measures.
State and civil laws mandate them to make sure that their building is safe and pest-free. Talk to them and know the arrangements for pest control service fee payments.
When you plan to control bed bugs infestation in your home with the help of professionals, also be sure to inform or notify your neighbors.
It is because some residues or stink of the pest control chemicals might reach their homes. If ever, that will post serious health risks for them.
Because bed bugs are so persistent, expect the process of controlling them to be really tedious. Insects have that general characteristics---they are so resilient and their systems are so strong.
Normally, controlling bed bugs the professionals’ way can take a few hours, because the experts have to check for any crevices, small cracks or holes where bed bugs might be hiding.
Furniture and home accessories will also have to be checked to make sure the treatment will not miss on any single bug.
At times, pest control experts might advise you to discard several furniture, especially beds. Is because, most beds are made up foams or materials that have tiny holes on it, which is very ideal for bed bugs to hide in.
In disposing or discarding beds, be sure that it can never be used by other people again. Otherwise, bed bugs will transfer from your house to another’s.
Because environmental concerns will rule out burning, you will surely have to put the bed into a special encasing or bug, to make sure all bed bugs on it are trapped inside.
The
Insect Called Bed Bugs
There are close to about a million species or kinds of insects living in our planet. There are millions more that had been extinct through the years because of natural phenomenon like climate change and man-made environment changes.
But did you know that insects are the most resilient living organisms? Yes, it is true. They are so resilient that thousands of species can live for years without nourishment or feeding.
Studies and scientists’ assertions also note that if an annihilation do happen in the planet, every living creature will be affected and annihilated except for insects.
Insects are gifted with protective structures, usually in the outermost layer of their skin or physical structures. These protective layers, which are naturally and usually characterized by wax-like substances, are what makes insect very resilient and adoptive to harsh physical environmental changes.
Insects also have extremely low threshold to pain. Even if you crash an insect, or take out a wing, or handicap it, it would still strive to move away from you or from any attacker.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs is only one among the millions, if not billions or trillions, of insects living with us in this planet called Earth.
Bed bugs also belong to kingdom Insecta, is scientifically known as Cimex lectularius.
Bed bugs are so tiny that you can hardly see them even in broad daylight. But there are bed bugs that can grow to about one fourth of an inch, the most they can grow. These bed bugs are the mature ones that have regular source of food and good natural or conducive habitat.
Bed bugs, like most other insects, live in places that are usually neglected by people.
In your room, you can probably see and find bed bugs inside small and tiny crevices, cracks or holes in the wall, the ceiling, the floor, some furniture or even your bed.
Bed bugs are among those kinds of insects that sleep or hide during daytime to finally come out and hunt for food at night time. Call its mart, but such insects have amazing biological clocks that know when it is time to go out and look out for prospective and unsuspicious victims.
Bed bugs’ food
Bed bugs do not eat anything but blood. However, the blood needed by bed bugs for nourishment should come from mammals, or hot-blooded animals. Again, they might be smart enough because they can tell by mere smelling if a prospective victim or host is hot-blooded or not.
Bed bugs suck blood of people. But their food requirement is not limited to people’s blood. They can also suck, as alternatives, blood of dogs, cats, birds, or whatever animal or pet they can get their mouth into.
Bed bugs are among those insects that are given structures like beaks that can pierce into victim’s skin. Such insects use those structures to suck and sip blood from victims.
Insects normally are not carnivorous. So are bed bugs. But you may have a different classification for them because of their eating habit. Somehow, they can be related to vampires. Don’t be amazed. Of course, that is just to tickle you with a little sense of humor.
Because bed bugs, and similar insects, prey on and eat blood, it follows that their excretion is also having resemblance to blood. As they say, what goes in is also what goes out.
Hence, you can find that bed bugs’ craps and pee are red or deep-red colored. They may appear as such tiny red stains in your bed, your bed sheet, furniture surfaces or wherever they may have contact with.
Insects like that are normally detected because of their excretion. Somehow, these craps betray them.
Bed bugs and other insects
Because bed bugs belong to the insects’ family, naturally it follows that they are bonafide insects. Classifying them or grouping them with blood-sucking insects will be logical.
However, be informed that, yes, bed bugs do suck blood, but they are very safe. Unlike mosquitoes, which transmit and transfer diseases form one person to another, bed bugs’ bites are not that notorious.
Scientists have found that bed bugs’ stomachs have linings and peptides that will not allow bacteria, fungi and viruses to thrive. It may be a consolation for you.
Bed Bug Rash and Bed Bug
Odour
Do you know that there is a 90% chance that a famous hotel -- a presidential or suite room in a five star hotel -- may have bed bugs? Your favorite hotel may even have bed bugs infestation too without you knowing about it.
So, you now ask, how would you know if your hotel have bed bugs? What are the signs and symptoms of bed bugs infestation? If your hotel has bed bugs, what should you do so that your home won't be infested when you get home?
Here are the common signs and symptoms of bed bugs infestation:
* Bed Bug Rash
The first sign is itch. Bed bug rash starts with an itch but the rash won't be visible yet when you feel the itch.
Bed bug bites are more itchy than mosquito bites. With mosquito bites you will feel its sting and sucking of blood while it is up to it. But with bed bugs, the itch will only be felt an hour after the skin has been bitten. This is because of the anesthetics in bed bug's saliva. Bed bugs inject anesthetics and anticoagulant, to avoid blood clotting, before it will suck blood from your skin.
Bed bug rash will appear an hour after you were pierced. But to some people, the bed bug rash appear only after some days or week from being bitten. This depends upon the body's reaction to chemicals being secreted by bed bugs.
How does a bed bug rash look like? Bed bug rash starts with a single, small, red (from being inflamed) round, bump which look more swollen than mosquito rash. Bed bug rash when it becomes visible, may just be a single, swollen bump. Days after, the bed bug rash will multiply. This only means that the other bed bugs are biting you. But for some people, bed bug rash look like an in-line bite marks. This kind of bed bug rash are seen on people who moves a lot when asleep. Bed bugs return fast to their hiding place once they have noticed any movement around them.
When you have a rash that you suspect as a bed bug rash, observe it for some days. Bed bug rash are itchy even after days that the bed bug rash appears. Also, bed bug rash does not heal as fast as mosquito bite marks. It stays swollen for weeks.
* Bed Bug Odor
Next sign to look for after the bed bug rash appears is the bed bug odor. How does bed bug odor smells like?
Hotel with heavy bed bug infestation has this offensive, sweet-like, musty odor that bed bug releases. You may search for this odor under the mattresses and headboard. If your hotel has a wooden chair or a sofa with crevices, smell them too for a bed bug odor.
Hotels with minimal or light infestation, the bed bug odor is not easily detectable.
* How to avoid infesting your house with hotel bed bugs
The night before you check out, remove every item from your suitcase. Bed bugs are effective hitchhikers. They can survive for years without food and if they hitched in your luggage, they can start an infestation in your home.
Check your wooden items with bed bugs. Bed bugs like wooden items, cloth and paper. These are the material in which they create their habitat.
Spray on a water based insect killer around your suitcase. Shake off your clothes for any bed bugs. Wipe your bath tub dry and put your items and clothings in there. Bed bugs won't stay on tub crevices since a tub is made of ceramic or marbles and it usually gets wet.
For your used clothing, have it washed before you leave for home. Remember, this is not a simple matter. Once your bedroom has been infested with bed bugs, it will spread fast to neighboring rooms. Getting rid of bed bugs is a very tough job. You even need to throw away your bed and sofa to wipe your house clean from any trace of bed bugs.
Bugged By The Bugs
The notoriety of bed bugs show that vampires are not the only popular blood suckers in society. Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, bed bugs are tiny, brownish flat-like insects that operate mostly during nighttime. During the day bed bugs prefer to situate themselves in areas people normally sleep on. Their small bodies enable them to fit in the narrowest of spaces, especially those related with headboards, box springs and mattresses. Unlike ants or bees, bed bugs do not congregate in a single area.
The problems on bed bugs are even documented in writings about medieval Europe and classical Greek during the time of Aristotle. Bed bugs were already known to feast on wild hosts mainly birds and bats.
Bed bugs were a big problem especially before World War II due to the poor focus on cleanliness and proper hygiene. However, the bugs nearly vanished in the 1940’s and 1950’s because of the widespread use of various pesticides. However, less effective pesticides and reforms in pest control methods enabled these creatures to make a comeback and again become a pest in society.
The Big Bugs
The adult bed bugs are normally mistaken as ticks or cockroaches, as they are approximately ¼ inch in length with flat and hard bodies. These insects can move swiftly in floors, ceiling, walls and other surfaces but cannot fly. The female bed bugs can lay as many as 500 eggs during their lifespan and choose secluded areas to make their move.
When the eggs hatch, the baby bugs or nymphs can fully develop as fast as a month. Cool areas or where there is no access to blood will prolong the development time. The nymphs can live for several months without feasting, while the adults can last for around a year.
Bite Me
People in deep slumber are normally the prime targets of bed bugs. A person who is being bitten may not even notice that he has become dinner for the bed bug, as engorgement normally lasts for around three minutes or even less than a minute. Bite scars result in a red welt or slight swelling of the skin.
People that travel frequently, do not regularly clean their beds or use pre-owned beds should be concerned that they will be eventually attacked. However, bed bugs are not considered a serious disease threat, as there is only a small chance that they can transmit any harmful virus to humans. Those that want to prevent complications from bed bug bites should spread antibiotic cream or antiseptic to the infected area of the body.
In addition, it is best not to scratch the infected area. Similar to mosquito bites, scratching only makes the infection worse.
Control ‘em bugs
The proliferation of bed bugs has been a problem for many centuries. The length of time they have been causing headaches indicate that the perfect way control them has yet to be developed. It is wise for a person with a bed bug issue to hire a professional pest control group to help solve his dilemma.
Those with a long experience in the pest industry should know where bed bugs settle. To assist the pest solvers, clients should at least clean their surroundings from excess clutter. The inspectors could be forced to look in nearby rooms, as bed bugs have the ability to disperse in different areas of a building.
Dispose the bed
The bed is normally the main breeding ground of bugs. If a bed has holes and tears it is likely that these contain eggs inside or out. Pest control companies normally advise their clients to dispose the beds that are heavily infested or in poor shape.
Bed bugs do not choose what type of bed they will settle, as they put more importance on the warm blooded person occupying it for an extended period of time. Bed bugs can even settle in sleeping bags, egg foam, or even stacks cardboard on the floor. Any place where people sleep is always the perfect area for bed bugs to roam. Water beds are also included, as these have nooks and crannies and are often warm, which is the preferred temperature of these insects.
Despite various alternatives to control bed bugs, it is safe to say they are here to stay. Possibly, the best way not to become a bed bug victim is by putting a premium on good hygiene and cleanliness.
Are There Herbs Used to Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
Herbs are the ancient medicines used by our ancestors to treat common aliments.
Through the years, herbs have also evolved and though the advent of modern medicine is so advanced, herbs still continue to find their ways to get into modern medicine.
There are a variety of herbs and there are certain herb types for certain types of medical problems.
The Chinese are the most popular advocates of medicinal plants or herbs. They have been using herbs to treat ailments since time immemorial.
Herbs as insecticides
Though there are several herbs that are used as insecticides, no particular herb is identified to curtail the proliferation of bed bugs.
It can be noted though, that herbs are the principal sources of ingredients or chemical extracts. These herb extracts are turned into ingredients of our modern day pesticides and insecticides.
Aside from that use, there are no other uses of herbs for pest control nowadays.
Though, there must be, and for sure several herbs will have the property and ability to drive bed bugs away, herbs are limited in this area.
That means, no particular herb is named or identified directly
against bed bugs. They will always have to go or be integrated into
pesticides for that purpose.
Pest control, herbs and bed bugs
To get rid of bed bugs, pest control firms use certain chemicals in the form of pesticides or insecticides. Take note that these pesticides and insecticides do contain herb extracts.
Because the chemicals and herb extracts contained in these bug killers are so harsh and deadly, it is advised that you leave the handling to them. In other words, let the pest control experts have it their way.
You have your own profession so do not mess with other people’s professions. Pest control personnel know what they are doing because they have been doing it for so long.
Trust them and let them do their job, Take the side step, and only get in when they tell you.
Pest control experts will also inform you how to handle the furniture or things that may contain residual form of pesticides. Listen very carefully to instructions. Neglect them if you want to be exterminated and poisoned yourself.
Focusing on pesticides
There are three main groups of pesticides that have herb extracts available through pest control shops in the market. These are for exterminating unwanted bed bugs.
First, pesticides from herbs can be in the form of insecticidal dusts. These pesticides are characterized by the existence or presence of ground or pulverized glass and silica powder mixed with chemicals or herb extracts. Hence, they are dust.
The dust attacks bed bugs by destroying their external waxy protective coats. These coats are like coating making up the skin of bed bugs. They serve as helmet-like structures.
Insecticidal dusts have chemicals with them. Once the bed bugs’ protective coats are ruined, the chemicals will set in and poison or dry out the bed bugs’ systems.
Second, pesticides can be contact insecticides. Contact insecticides are those that should be applied to suspiciously infested areas or surfaces. You will find that this is very effective in getting rid of bed bugs.
But they also have downsides. For one, contact insecticides are repellant in nature---they stink so effectively that insects’ senses can easily sense presence of insecticides.
That attribute of contact insecticides makes it less effective. Since it is repellant, it is not sure and guaranteed that bed bugs will be gotten rid of. They simply may avoid contact with applied furniture or surfaces. Hence, they will try to find or transfer to more conducive habitat.
Third and last group will be the insect growth regulators. This group is aimed at getting rid of bed bugs while they still are in early stages.
IGRs will attack or poison young bed bugs, or their eggs. By doing that, it is guaranty that no new generation will spurt out. The only problem and mess the complainant will have to deal with are the adult bed bugs.
Use of IGRs as pesticides can be effective, yet so much time and patience is required. As the saying goes, this measure is ‘slowly but surely.’
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