Thanks to their ability to hide in small cracks and crevices, bed bugs are incredibly difficult to target directly. Not only can it be expensive and time-consuming to remove these parasites, but they also transmit easily and can cause skin irritation.<\/p>\n
Bed bugs especially like hiding out in mattresses and bed frames, and once you find them, the infestation may already be too far spread. Our article will discuss bed bugs, how to identify them, and how to get rid of them once and for all.<\/p>\n
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that are flat, round, and usually dark brown as adults. Bed bugs specifically feed on human blood, so animals like cats or dogs do not transmit them. They are about 1 to 7 millimeters in size, similar to the size of Lincoln\u2019s head on a penny.<\/p>\n
Bed bugs are capable of living for several months without consuming blood, making them particularly insidious and hard to notice. The eggs and larvae are small and white.<\/p>\n
These small parasites<\/a>\u00a0can be found wherever humans are found. They are most often located in areas where people sleep, fitting snugly between mattresses and box springs, between top sheets and mattresses, or between the bed and the wall.<\/p>\n With more people traveling around the globe, bed bugs are rapidly transmitted across luggage in airplanes, from hotel rooms to homes, and through seats in theaters, automobiles, and other areas.<\/p>\n To get rid of bed bugs, you first need to know the signs of an infestation. Then, you can follow the recommended steps to get rid of them.<\/p>\n Although bed bugs are not known to spread diseases, they are a nuisance. Their bites can make your skin itchy or blotchy, they can disrupt your sleep, and they can spread quickly to other people. If you scratch the bites on your skin, you may develop a secondary skin infection from breaking these open.<\/p>\n Some people may be bitten by bed bugs and never have a skin reaction at all. Other people have an allergic reaction to the bites that cause pain or swelling.<\/p>\n Bite marks are the primary way most people figure out they have a bed bug infestation. These bites will appear as red marks or splotchy areas on your arms, legs, torso, or even your face.<\/p>\n Bite marks usually appear overnight; however, they can take up to 14 days to develop, with some people experiencing no reaction at all.<\/p>\n There are certain signs to look for<\/a>\u00a0if you are concerned\u00a0about a bed bug infestation:<\/p>\n When bed bugs bite their victims, they typically inject an anticoagulant and an anesthetic, so the person does not react strongly to the bite and feeding. You may have a quick reaction that brings you out of deep sleep or REM state, so you may begin to feel less rested as a result of being bitten.<\/p>\n It is important to note that bed bugs have evolved to be inconspicuous. Currently, the most common way to catch a bed bug infestation is through traveling. They sneak into your suitcase and hitch a ride to your house. You are unlikely to notice one or two of these bugs in your luggage as you leave a hotel or when you get home, but they can quickly multiply and become a nuisance.<\/p>\n If you notice bite marks or blood spots on your body, sheets, pillows, or clothing, you may have bed bugs. Check areas of your home where they may live for further evidence.<\/p>\n Bed bugs hide in tight, flat spaces, so they are most often found<\/a>:<\/p>\n Even with the listed tips, you may not know what you are looking at when you find evidence of bed bugs.<\/p>\n If you are worried about a bed bug infestation, get help from a professional exterminator who specializes in bed bugs. As more people around the world report these infestations, more local and state governments are providing information on the best exterminators in the area to help their residents.<\/p>\n Identifying signs of bed bugs early means less drastic measures may work to eliminate the infestation in your home.<\/p>\n Localized bed bug infestations may be eliminated with some DIY methods. Once you have located where the bed bugs live, the first step is to contain the infestation.<\/p>\n Get rid of dressers, mattresses, carpets, or even electronics that are home to bed bugs. Because bed bugs spread quickly and are a public health crisis<\/a>, you will need to contact your local, city, or state government for recommendations on where and how to safely dispose of these items. Leaving them on the street or trying to throw them away in the regular garbage collection is illegal in many places.<\/p>\n Take these other steps to get rid of bed bugs:<\/p>\n You may need to use multiple approaches to treat your home if you choose to eliminate bed bugs yourself. If you continue to see evidence of bed bugs after you have tried to treat infested areas, contact professional exterminators.<\/p>\n Your bedroom is the most likely location for bed bug infestations. To be sure you get rid of all possible locations for bed bugs, most experts recommend getting rid of your mattress. If you cannot heat wash or steam clean your linens and pillows, dispose of these too.<\/p>\nSigns of Bed Bugs in Your Home<\/h2>\n
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Where to Find Bed Bugs and How to Get Rid of Them<\/h2>\n
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Eliminating Bed Bug Infestations<\/h2>\n
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