In France, the spread of bed bugs is increasing by 200 to 300 percent each year. While these blood-sucking insects do not transmit diseases, they do leave lasting effects. Their bites causeitchingthatcan leave scars. The most harmful consequences arepsychological: insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Victims often feel ashamed, even though this has nothing to do withhow well they maintain their mattresses. So, how can we effectively combat and eradicate bed bugs?
Bed Bugs: Pests in Our Mattresses
The bed bug is a small insect belonging to the Cimicidae family. It is unique in that it is hematophagous: the bed bug feeds on blood. More specifically, these insects are particularly fond ofhuman blood. That’s why they’ve found a home that guarantees our presence: mattresses. A bed bug infestation quickly becomes a problem. In fact, their lifespan ranges from 6 to 24 months!
An insect that has been attacking humans since the dawn of time
These pests have been found in Egyptian sarcophagi dating back 3,500 years. However, it is estimated that these insects first appeared more than 100 million years ago. This means bed bugs may have coexisted with dinosaurs! In the 20th century, they were nearly wiped out worldwide by an insecticide. However, this treatment contained toxic chemicals and was banned. As a result, bed bugs quickly returned to our bedding. According toan Ipsos survey, approximately4.7 million French peopleexperiencedbed bug infestations between 2016 and 2021.
How do bed bugs end up in mattresses?
You thought you were safe from bed bugs because your house or apartment is spotless. Big mistake! Bed bugs couldn’t care less about that. The only thing that attracts them is blood. In fact, bed bugs hitch a ride on theclothingofinfected people. All it takes is for those people to sit down somewhere for the pests to take over the place. So, you come into contact with bed bugs when you go to the movies, stay at a hotel, ride a train, and so on.
In recent years, another source of infestation has emerged:secondhand purchases. Specialized websites and flea markets, where clothing and wooden furniture are sold, spread bed bugs.
How can you tell if you have a bed bug infestation?
Bed bugs are not active during the day; they are nocturnal insects. Attracted by heat and the scent of human blood, they infest mattresses. At an average rate of five eggs laid per female per day, the colony grows exponentially. At first, a bed bug infestation is hard to detect.Bitesarefew and far between and can be mistaken for those of fleas and other insects. But once the pests begin to multiply, the situation deteriorates rapidly.
Multiple Stings
Since there are more bed bugs, they inevitably leave more bites. Unfortunately, the bite itself is painless: the bed bug numbs the skin before sucking our blood.
Traces of blood
Once it has fed, the bed bug swells to three times its original size. When the victim tosses and turns in their sleep, they crush a number of them. This explains the bloodstains that appear on thesheets, mattress, and pillows.
Bed bug eggs and feces
Adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye: they measure up toseven millimeters. They are brown in color and resemble a lentil. Bed bug eggs and feces are often found together under the box spring, in the sheets, in clothing, and so on. The eggs are creamy white, while the feces are brown. Neither is larger than one millimeter.
The acrid smell
In the event of a massive bed bug infestation, a pungent odor can be detected. In fact, some dogs are trained to sniff out the presence of these pests after treatment to confirm that they have been eradicated.
Bed Bugs: What Not to Do
Before addressing the issue of bed bug treatments, it is important to avoid certain instinctive reactions that can have serious consequences.
- Shakeoutthe linensoutthe window. Bed bugs cling to the walls and come back. They may spread to an uninfested room or to your neighbors' homes.
- Moving furniture, the bed, the mattress, or linens to another room. That's the best way to infest the entire house or apartment.
- Wear clothes right after you buy them. Always wash secondhand and even new clothing at 60 °C if possible. Put them in the washing machine as soon as you get home from the store.
- Withdrawing into oneself. People mistakenly associate bed bugs with poor hygiene. They still feel somewhat embarrassed to talk about it. On the contrary, it is urgent to inform neighbors, the landlord, or the homeowners’ association to prevent an infestation.
How do you get rid of bed bugs?
Fortunately, there are still quite a few treatments available to eliminate bed bugs. However, the process requirespatience: it may take several months to get rid of them for good.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs: Vacuum Cleaner and Steam Cleaner
Here are two effective ways to reduce pest infestations. Before vacuuming, seal off the room by taping the gaps under the front door. Once the dust has been collected, it should be sealed in a closed bag and then thrown away.
Steam is an effective way to get rid of bed bugs. Adult bed bugs and their eggs cannot survive at temperatures above60 °C. You can add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the water, as it acts as a natural bed bug repellent.
Washing and then ironing your laundry: two tips for getting rid of bedbugs
Textiles should be washed at 60 °C, especially bed linens (sheets, duvet covers,pillowcases). Ideally, you should iron them afterward. Bed bugs won’t survive that!
A Natural Insecticide Against Bed Bugs: Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth should be placed along theirtravel routes: at the foot of the bed, in corners, along baseboards, etc. This treatment, which consists of silicon powder, injures bed bugs when they try to cross the barrier. This method slows down, but does not completely eradicate, the spread of bed bugs. It must be combined with other methods, such as steaming the mattress. Diatomaceous earth must be handled with care. In high doses, it can irritate the bronchial tubes.
Sub-zero temperatures eliminate bed bugs
If a bedbug infestation occurs in the winter, feel free to put your belongings outside without shaking them out. However, make sure temperatures remain below freezing for several days. If you have a largefreezer,you canplace the contaminated items—after wrapping them—inside for a few days.
A cover designed to trap bed bugs
Special covers allow you to seal your mattress airtight. This prevents bed bugs from escaping. Without food, they die within a few days. Furthermore, since they cannot access the mattress, bed bugs are forced to find another shelter, leaving them at the mercy of predators.
Noneof thesenatural treatmentspose anyrisk to your health. We recommend avoiding chemical-based treatments, which leave residues on the bed. Finally, some mattresses are more likely to harbor bed bugs than others. Synthetic mattresses don’t breathe well, trapping heat and moisture—two factors that bed bugs love. On the other hand,natural latex mattresses, thanks to their material, prevent dust mites and bed bugs from taking hold. And all of this, without any chemicals!
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