What do bed bug bites look like and how can I treat them?
Bed bugs only feed on blood (animal or human) in order to survive and reproduce. If you found blood spots on your sheets and bites on your hands, neck, face, shoulders, legs, and arms (body parts that are most likely to be exposed during bedtime), these are pretty good indications that you have been bitten by bed bugs.
While some people don’t show noticeable symptoms, bed bug bites are red, swollen, and itchy lines or clusters with a dark spot at the center of each bite. Since bed bugs excrete a small amount of anesthetic before feeding, the symptoms might take a few days to surface.
Bed bug bites generally take one to two weeks to go away. In the meanwhile, you can apply anti-itch cream or calamine lotion on the bites or take an oral antihistamine to reduce the itching or get an over-the-counter pain reliever to deal with the swelling and pain.
Home remedies to get rid of bed bugs instantly
Even though bed bugs don’t transmit any diseases, their presence is definitely a nuisance, so if you want to get rid of them right away, here are a few home remedies you can try.
Vacuum: Use a power vacuum cleaner with a hose to suck the bed bugs off your mattress, bedding, sofa, and cushions. Remember to start from high places and work your way down and pay attention to the floor and cracks in the walls. After you are done, make sure that you discard the disposable bag outside instead of leaving it in your home trash bin.
Steam Cleaning: This is an effective way for places that the vacuum cleaner cannot reach. Any heat over the temperature of 60°C can kill bed bugs and their eggs, but remember to read the steam cleaner’s instructions carefully to avoid damages to your furniture.
Silica Gel: Remember the little packets that come with food products to keep the contents dry and insect-free?! Simply grind the beads and spread the powder in areas where there are bed bugs. However, if you have children or pets, don’t try this method to avoid direct exposure and silica inhalation.
Rubbing alcohol: Pour it in a spray bottle and apply on all affected area, the alcohol will kill the bed bugs on contact.
When is the high season for bed bugs?
While most people think that bed bugs only appear in the Summer, the fact is that they can show up at any time! Adult bed bugs do not hibernate and have an average life span of approximately one year. Measuring 4 to 6 mm in length, bed bugs are light-sensitive and often hide in dark and dry places, such as walls, wallpaper, bedframes, wardrobes, clothing, mattresses, rugs, floorboards, door frames, sofas and mats. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your home clean all year round. If you have a bed bug problem, please seek help from a pest control expert!
How can you effectively prevent bed bugs?
Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of, so the best policy is prevention! You can start with the basics by regularly cleaning and vacuuming your home and checking your mattresses and clothing, plus making sure that your home stays dry. In addition, you should try to avoid second-hand furniture, replace worn wallpaper, and fill in any cracks in the walls. If you are going to stay at a hotel, you better check for bed bugs first, so that they won’t end up coming home with you.
How should I deal with bed bugs?
How should I deal with bed bugs? If you are unfortunately facing a bed bug problem and don’t have time to wait for pest control, there is one thing you can do.
The simplest way is to vacuum all corners to round up as many bed bugs as possible and add pesticide into the disposal bag to kill them. In addition, you can adjust your steamer to 80°C to kill off bed bugs on surfaces or in cracks (including mattresses, sofa cushions, curtains, and various furniture etc.). There is a chance that some bed bugs might survive and will require the use of pesticide.
If you found bed bugs in your blankets or bedding, wash them in hot water and dry them under the sun or in a high temperature. As for items that cannot withstand heat, place them in a sealed plastic bag and put it in a freezer (-18°C) for 24 hours. Another option for eliminating bed bugs and their eggs is to inject hot air or steam into cracks and gaps.
If you have a wood mite problem, please seek help from a pest control professional.
What services do pest control companies offer?
Despite the availability of different pest control kits online, it is more reliable to solicit the help of a professional pest control company. Please be aware that most bed bugs have developed a range of drug resistance and some pest control companies might require several visits to get the job done. While certain pesticides available online can be harmful to children and pets, a professional pest control company can achieve the desired results by using pesticides that are harmless and non-carcinogenic, causing no side-effects to pregnant women, children, and pets.
Last but not least, eliminating bed bugs require time and patience, but most pest control companies will offer their full support during the warranty period.
How much does bed bug control cost?
We offers a variety of bed bug control options, please check out the related pages for more information.