Health experts describe sleep as the daily experience that is essential for your body to function properly. This importance depends not only on the number of hours we sleep, but also on the quality of our sleep. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can compromise this quality, including small, unexpected visitors that explore our beds at night. Bed bugs are the best example of this. These small insects, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, feed on blood.
If you suspect that your home has a bed bug infestation, the need to get rid of the bed bugs becomes urgent very quickly.
PEST CONTROL: HABITAT AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
Bed bugs can enter your home through luggage, clothing, used beds and sofas, and many other items. With their flattened bodies, they can squeeze into small spaces about as wide as a credit card. These tiny pests do not build nests like ants or bees, but tend to live in groups in hiding places. Their primary hiding places are usually found in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, where they have easy access to people so they can feed at night.
Bed bugs are parasites that can live anywhere in the house. They can settle in the cracks of furniture or in any type of fabric. Common areas for bed bug bites include the face, neck, hands, and arms. However, they can bite any exposed area of skin.
They are definitely visible to the naked eye. Bed bugs are, on average, 4 to 7 mm in size.
HOW DO BED BUGS SPREAD?
Bed bugs and their eggs live in furniture, clothing, or bedding. They spread by crawling and can infest multiple rooms in a house or even multiple apartments in multi-unit buildings.
They can spread out in the bedroom, crawl into every crack or sheltered spot, and spread to neighboring rooms or apartments.
Since bed bugs feed only on blood, finding them in your home is not a sign of dirtiness. You’re just as likely to find them in homes as in spotless hotel rooms or gyms.
They can also hide in boxes, suitcases, or other items that are moved from one place to another. Bed bugs can live on clothing and be carried by a person who is unaware that their clothing is infested.
WANZENBISSE: SYMPTOMS, CHARACTERISTICS, AND TREATMENT
It may take a few days for symptoms of bed bug bites to appear. This is a warning sign that bed bugs are present. These bites have a distinctive appearance that helps distinguish them from other insect bites.
Fortunately, these unpleasant bites can be treated at home with simple measures, except in extremely rare cases where those affected may experience an allergic reaction.
A. When do bed bugs bite?
Bed bugs are mainly active at night and bite people while they sleep. However, they may also take advantage of a nap during the day or a moment of rest to attack you. They feed by piercing the skin and sucking blood through their elongated proboscis. It takes them 3 to 10 minutes to feed to their fill. The reason we don’t feel the bites is that these parasites first inject a secretion with a numbing effect. Bed bugs do not climb onto the body but remain on the bed and bite at the points where the body comes into contact with the bed. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase mattresses that reduce this contact area and on which they are less likely to thrive, such as mattresses made from 100% organic natural latex.
B. Symptoms of a bed bug bite
Although bed bug bites are rarely dangerous, they can be very irritating. In some cases, they can become infected or trigger an allergic reaction. Researchers recently reviewed several studies conducted on bed bugs and their effects. There is little evidence that bed bugs spread human diseases through their bites.
Bed bug bites often turn red and swell. Multiple bites may appear in a line or cluster in a small area of your body.
A bed bug bite is painless at first and usually goes unnoticed.
While bed bug bites tend to cause itching, they can cause a burning sensation in some people. Bed bug bites can be mistaken for a rash caused by food allergies. The symptoms of bed bug bites vary from person to person: small, flat bumps, redness, swelling, and itching.
People who don't know anything about bed bugs may attribute the itching and bites to other insects or parasites. To determine the source of these bites, you sometimes first need to confirm that the bed bugs are actually present.
Unlike bed flea bites, which are mainly found around the ankles, bed bug bites can appear anywhere on exposed skin. In addition, bed bug bites do not have a red spot in the center, which makes them easier to distinguish.
Bed bugs are very resilient creatures. They don’t need to feed every night. They can even go several days without food. People with potential allergies should be cautious: It may take a few weeks before they realize that the bites are part of a larger pattern.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BED BUG BITES AND OTHER BITES?
Bed bug bites can easily be mistaken for those of other insects. For example, they are far too often confused with bed flea bites, which probably look quite similar.
Both can cause clusters of red bumps on your skin as well as irritation due to the itching they cause.
However, if it is a bed bug bite, they usually bite the lower half of the body or the warm, moist areas around the joints, such as the feet, legs, armpits, the inside of the elbows, or the knees.
In contrast, bed bugs tend to bite the upper parts of the body, such as the hands, arms, neck, and face. If you think you’ve been bitten by bed bugs or bed fleas, you should search your home for signs of these insects. Bed bugs often hide in the seams of mattresses, in the cracks of bed frames, at the headboards of beds, and in the baseboards around the beds. Bed fleas tend to live on pets, carpets, or upholstered furniture.
Similarly, bed bug bites and mosquito bites can also be confused. Both can be red, swollen, and itchy. The only way to tell them apart is by the simple difference in their patterns. If you have a line of bites appearing in a small area of your body, it’s likely due to bed bugs. And bites arranged in a random pattern are definitely mosquito bites.
Mosquito and bed bug bites tend to heal on their own within one to two weeks, unlike bed flea bites. To relieve itching and other symptoms, apply a cold compress, calamine lotion, or other topical treatments. Taking an oral antihistamine may also help.
Similarly, bed bug bites can be mistaken for spider or ant bites, especially when camping or traveling, where it is common to encounter these types of parasites and insects.
Spider bites, however, can look similar to bed bug bites. Unlike bed bugs, however, spiders rarely bite more than once, since they bite in self-defense rather than to feed.
If you have only one bite on your body, it's probably not from bed bugs.
The more painful spider bites often take longer to heal than other types of insect bites. Some spider bites can cause serious harm and may be poisonous, so you must seek medical attention immediately.
THE DANGERS OF BED BUG BITES
Bed bugs can live in any home or public space. However, they are more commonly found in busy areas with large numbers of people and heavy traffic, as well as in nearby neighborhoods. You are at a higher risk of getting bed bugs if you live or work in a hotel, hospital, emergency shelter, military barracks, college dorm, or apartment complex.
As mentioned earlier, unlike some other types of bugs, bed bugs do not usually transmit diseases when they bite. In some cases, however, they can become infected. Pain, redness, swelling, or warmth around the bite site are signs of an infection.
The infection can also manifest as pus that oozes from the site and causes swelling of the skin.
As with all other infections, warning signs such as fever and chills may occur. Some people also develop a specific allergic reaction to bed bugs after being bitten. This can lead to painful swelling or severe itching around the bite. In some cases, this triggers a potentially life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
To avoid this risk, you should definitely consult your doctor if you suspect that you have developed an infection or an allergic reaction to a bed bug bite, especially if the allergy manifests as nausea, fever, or difficulty breathing.
TREATMENT OF BED BUG BITES
In most cases, bed bug bites clear up within one to two weeks. To relieve symptoms, it may help to apply an anti-itch cream or a lotion containing calamine to the bites. After consulting your doctor or pharmacist, you can also take an oral antihistamine to reduce itching and burning. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve swelling and pain.
Sometimes bed bug bites can cause an infection called cellulitis. To reduce the risk of infection, wash the bites with soap and water and try not to scratch them.
A. Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites.
In addition to over-the-counter medications, there are various remedies that can help with bed bug bites. In fact, there are some home remedies for controlling the itching, such as oatmeal baths or cool compresses. For severe itching, steroid creams or oral antihistamines can be used to relieve the itching.
To soothe the bitten areas, first place a cold cloth or an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the affected area. You can also make a thin paste out of baking soda and water. Certain types of essential oils can also be very helpful in relieving irritation. For example, you can use camphor oil or chamomile oil to relieve insect bites.
PREVENTING RISK FACTORS
B. Preventive Measures
To avoid being devoured by these little pests, prevention is a crucial step in eliminating the risks, since bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of. It’s important to know that female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs, each about the size of a speck of dust. Immature bed bugs, also known as nymphs, molt five times before reaching maturity and require a blood meal before each molt.
Under favorable conditions, bed bugs can reach full maturity in just one month and produce three or more generations per year, which can very quickly lead to a major infestation. However, there are several ways you can prevent bed bugs from entering your home.
A good preventive measure against bed bugs and other pests is to inspect the furniture you buy, especially if it’s used, since bed bugs like to live in it. Used furniture is a great way to save money. It’s also the quickest way to bring bed bugs home if they were present in the previous owners’ homes. Always be sure to check along the seams—especially on upholstered furniture—for signs of a previous infestation.
Ideally, they should be thoroughly cleaned by a professional cleaning service or at home before you bring the furniture into your house. However, it is important to do this in a secluded area of your home by wiping down all surfaces with warm soapy water.
While regular inspections of your bed and bedding won’t completely eliminate bed bugs, they can help you spot signs of an infestation earlier. This can help you resolve the problem quickly and easily. Check your bedding whenever you change it. Also, store your bed and box spring in a snug-fitting plastic or fabric cover that prevents bed bugs from infesting these items, or replace them entirely with a natural latex mattress to prevent an infestation from developing.
TRAVEL AND HOTEL STAYS: THE BIG GATEWAY FOR BEDBUGS INTO YOUR HOMES
Aside from pets and used furniture, the most likely way bed bugs are spread is through travel. They are very resilient when it comes to travel, which is why they are so widespread today.
Hotel rooms are a good place to pick up bed bugs. There’s a reason for that. Hotel rooms have a constant turnover of guests, and guests can bring bed bugs with them in their luggage. When guests arrive, the bed bugs absorb carbon dioxide and warm up from the guests’ personal belongings.
When hotels are infested, bed bugs don't always stay there. They hitch a ride home with new luggage and new guests. Eventually, guests take the bed bugs home with them, where they spread even further and even travel between continents.
For this reason, it has become quite common for people to check out their hotel rooms before checking in. So the question is, how and where should you look?
First: Don't unpack; instead, place your luggage in a quarantine area, such as a clean bathtub or on a rack. Just make sure it’s not on the floor or the bed before you check for bed bugs. Take a flashlight, pull the sheets off the bed, and look for bed bugs, starting in the corners. You should be on the lookout for dark brown spots.
Next, carefully inspect the seams and folds in the corners of the mattress. Use your room key to slide it under the folds. Bed bugs love to hide in this area. You may find bed bug eggs there if bed bugs regularly hide in that spot. Use a flashlight to look into dark areas that aren’t immediately visible. Repeat the process with the remaining corners of the bed and all other furniture in the room, such as chairs and sofas.
If the mattresses are made of natural latex, you can use them safely.
Also check the curtains, including between the folds. Bed bugs don't particularly like light, and you can see them scurrying to get out of the beam of light.
You can put these steps off for a few minutes until you’ve settled into your hotel room. However, they’re well worth the effort compared to what awaits you at home if you bring a bed bug back with you—one that could take weeks or months to get rid of.
When you get home, and before you bring your belongings inside, inspect your luggage thoroughly. Wash your clothes in hot water and place your suitcases in a quarantine area—preferably outside on the patio or balcony, where they’ll get plenty of sun—and then continue with the cleaning process, taking care not to put anything on the bed or furniture until you’re sure there are no bed bugs.
THE PREVENTATIVE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC LATEX MATTRESSES AGAINST PARASITES
Latex is a natural product made from the sap of a tree, Hevea brasiliensis. This tree grows primarily in tropical regions. Most of the plantations responsible for the commercial production of latex are located in Southeast Asia. Its milky sap is harvested from the tree. Therefore, it is reassuring to know that, unlike other types of mattresses, latex can be harvested without destroying a tree or causing environmental pollution.
There are various methods for turning this white liquid into a comfortable foam mattress. What they all have in common is that the liquid latex is first mixed with a small amount of materials that later help the latex set.
Thanks to the natural properties of natural latex mattresses, you don't have to worry about pests, unlike with other types of mattresses.
Because of the material they’re made of, latex mattresses are naturally resistant to mold and dust mites without the need for any added chemicals. This factor alone is a huge advantage for people in warm and humid regions, where conditions are conducive to the breeding and spread of pest colonies such as bed bugs. Other types of mattresses can only withstand pest infestations through the addition of harsh chemicals, which raises concerns given the associated allergic and health risks. Therefore , natural latex mattresses are the ideal choice for a hygienic and healthy sleeping environment where you don’t have to worry about bed bugs.
GET RID OF BED BUGS: A PRACTICAL 5-STEP GUIDE
I've found them—so what should I do? Getting rid of bed bugs starts with cleaning the places where they can live and breed.
If you suspect an infestation, the first place you should check is your mattress. Start by thoroughly inspecting it for signs of bed bugs or their droppings. Remove the dust cover on the underside of the bed frame and inspect the seams in the wooden frame. Loosen the fabric where it is stapled to the wooden frame.
Also check the area around the bed, the edges of the carpet, and even the electrical outlets, as well as any visible cracks. Be sure to check your closet as well, since bed bugs can easily attach themselves to clothing and suitcases.
However, while cleaning potentially infested areas can help control the presence of bed bugs, their actual elimination usually requires chemical treatments (such as a bed bug fumigant) or even the replacement of furniture—especially beds—with items made of resistant materials, such as natural latex mattresses.
Please note that treatment is carried out using special insecticides that may be harmful. Therefore, it is important to use safe and reliable products.
In general, the safest and most effective method is to hire an experienced pest control professional to handle bed bug extermination.
A. Identify all affected areas.
It’s important to remember that bed bugs are only 5 mm in diameter. They are smaller than a pencil eraser, but large enough to be seen with the naked eye. These pests are clever, resilient, and reproduce quickly. Bed bugs know where to hide to avoid detection; they can survive for months between meals, and a single female can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime.
There are several factors that make it difficult to get rid of bed bugs, such as clutter, pets, and frequent travel. Therefore, we’ll walk you through the process step by step below to help you get rid of them.
If you have bed bugs, you’ll want to find them early, before they start to multiply. It’s much easier to treat an infestation in its early stages than to deal with a full-blown colony. However, a smaller infestation can be harder to detect. To confirm your suspicion, there should definitely be some other signs, and bed bug feces are certainly the first indication you’ll notice. These are reddish spots on your mattress caused by crushed insects or small, yellow eggs. You may also see bloodstains on your bed sheets or pillowcases, or dark, rust-colored spots on sheets, mattresses, and walls, as well as bed bug feces.
Since bed bugs are insects, you may notice eggshells or shed skins in the areas where they hide, especially if the infestation has already reached an advanced stage. At this stage, you may already detect a foul, musty odor emanating from the insects’ scent glands.
Keep an eye on bedding and furniture located near the areas where you reported these signs. If you find a bed bug, place it in a glass sealed with a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Other types of bugs can look very similar to bed bugs, so this will help you address the problem appropriately.
B. Keep the infestation under control.
As soon as you find the bed bugs, you need to contain them to get rid of them. A quick and easy way to catch bed bugs is to vacuum all possible hiding places. Seal all your infested sheets and clothing in plastic bags until you can wash them. Then wash them at the highest temperature allowed for that type of fabric.
Anything that cannot be washed in the washing machine or dried in the dryer should be placed in a plastic bag. If possible, leave it there for a few months to ensure that all insects inside die.
C. Prepare for bed bug treatment.
You should prepare to disinfect your home immediately as soon as you are certain that bed bugs are present. You must start with the items most at risk—namely , bedding, sheets, curtains, and clothing. Wash them in hot water and dry them on the highest setting in the dryer. This step should be taken as a preventive measure as soon as you return from a trip. You should identify any non-washable items in your home that pose a risk and either disinfect or dispose of them.
Put stuffed animals, shoes, and other items that cannot be washed in the dryer and run it for 30 minutes. After a bite, the bed and bedding should be thoroughly inspected and then cleaned or replaced—perhaps with a latex mattress, for example. You should scrub the seams of the bed with a stiff brush to remove bed bugs and their eggs before vacuuming. You should also remember to vacuum the bed and the surrounding area frequently.
After vacuuming, immediately place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it in an outdoor trash can.
It is best to cover the mattress and box spring with a cover that has a tightly woven closure to prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping. Keep in mind that bed bugs can survive for up to a year without food. You should therefore keep the cover on your mattress for at least one year to ensure that all bed bugs are dead and have become trapped inside the cover. Bed bugs also nest in cracks in the plaster and in peeling sections of the walls. All of these areas must therefore be filled in and repaired to eliminate the places where bed bugs can hide.
If your bed is infested, you might want to get rid of it and buy a new one, but be sure to rid the rest of your home of bed bugs as well, otherwise they will infest your new furniture—especially if it’s not made of treated materials. Otherwise, it would make even more sense to opt for natural latex mattresses. This alternative is very popular, not only because it’s environmentally friendly, but also because it effectively prevents the spread of bed bugs and other pests.
Seal all cracks and cover any open electrical outlets. Finally, place your bed at least 15 cm away from the wall so that bed bugs cannot climb onto it.
If you decide to dispose of suspicious furniture, it would be a small but very helpful gesture to attach a note or label indicating that the furniture may contain bed bugs—or even write this on the furniture itself—before you dispose of it. This will prevent potential users or collectors from becoming infested by ensuring the furniture is handled properly.
CHEMICAL TREATMENT FOR BED BUGS
Pyrethrin and pyrethroids are the most commonly used chemicals for killing bed bugs. However, some bed bugs have developed resistance to them over time. This could be the case if you picked them up in a hotel or at a location where such treatments are carried out regularly.
However, there are also other substances, such as pyrroles, that are effective against bed bugs that have become resistant to other pesticides. Substances such as chlorfenapyr kill bed bugs by disrupting their cells.
Neonicotinoids are also based on effective compounds. They are synthetic versions of nicotine. They damage the nervous system of insects.
You can also find desiccants. These substances work by destroying the insects’ outer protective layer, without which they dry out and die. If you want to tackle the problem yourself, take precautions—especially if you plan to use foggers or insect sprays. While these products do kill bed bugs, they cannot penetrate the cracks and crevices where the insects hide. They can also be toxic if not used properly.
Some of the derivatives of these substances are used in the preventive treatment of mattress materials, which, compared to natural latex mattresses, suggests many risks, particularly for people with asthma or allergies.
Regardless of which bed bug treatment you choose, we strongly advise you to read the label and instructions carefully and to leave the room after you have started the treatment.
A. The Involvement of Experts
If you are unable to eliminate the bed bugs on your own, it makes sense—and is highly recommended—to spare yourself the effort and call in professionals. Pest control companies have the advantage of using chemicals and other more effective treatments and logistics that are not available to you. They have insecticides that kill the bugs on contact and remain in the furniture and cracks to eliminate the bed bugs over the long term.
Pest control companies can also use whole-room heat treatments. They bring special equipment that heats the room to a temperature high enough to kill bed bugs.
Before the pest control company arrives, they should provide you with instructions on how to prepare your home for the treatment. Follow their instructions carefully to make their job easier and, of course, to ensure better results.
Professional bed bug treatments require two to three visits to be effective. After each bed bug treatment, you may need to stay out of the treated rooms for a few hours until the insecticides have dissipated, to reduce the risk of poisoning or allergic reactions to the products used.
After all, no matter how well the treatment is carried out, there is always a risk that the infestation will return, especially if it has spread widely throughout the home.
One final tip would be to mark the infested piece of furniture before you throw it away, so that others don’t end up using it. However, the most important step in combating bed bugs and other types of pests is prevention. That’s why you should take great care not to carry them with you by following strict hygiene practices when staying overnight or traveling.
Experts will therefore always advise you to start with prevention, particularly by filling holes and cracks, removing suspicious furniture, and choosing radical solutions to prevent the spread of parasites in living spaces, such as natural latex mattresses and bedding.