One question common with people facing bed bug infestation in their home is, “where do bed bugs come from?” Well, bed bugs don’t just appear; they are usually carried from one place to another. They typically latch onto clothes and crawl into books and other hidden spaces. These bugs are notorious for causing discomfort and sometimes allergies to their host. So getting rid of them as soon as possible is a must.
Read on to learn more about what bed bugs are, how to identify them, where they come from, how to deal with them and some other bed bug infestation tips.
What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped, wingless insects. They feed by biting and sucking blood from their host. Before feeding, they have a reddish-brown color and are usually flat. After feeding, they become swollen and elongated with a more prominent reddish color.
Adult bed bugs can be detected by the naked eye, whereas their nymphs are harder to detect. This is because they are smaller in size and they have a very light brownish color. Although they can be seen during the day, they are most active during the night. They hide under bed frames, box springs, wallpapers, wall cracks, furniture, and places that are beyond reach. They do not have wings for flying, but they crawl.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs usually spread from other infested areas. This can happen in different ways. When you visit an area with a bed bug infestation, you’re likely to leave with a bed bug latching onto one of your personal properties, and you will go home with it. You may be unable to notice this, and this gives the bed bug enough time to reproduce in your home.
How Do I Know if My Home is Infested With Bed Bugs
Usually, you should notice the bed bug crawling around or lying dormant on surfaces. However, if they are still in the nymph stages, you may experience frequent itching and discomfort when you lie on your bed or when you rest against surfaces where they are. You may also notice marks on your body from their bite— however, bites from bugs can easily be mistaken for bites from other insects.
Also, you may notice blood stains or dark spots on your sheets and walls. Immature bed bugs often shed skin for their next life stage, so you can also look out for this, as well as little clusters of droppings on your bed.
Is It Possible to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Although bed bugs are hard to deal with, they can be exterminated through an integrated pest management approach. With this approach, professional exterminators employ a combination of techniques that are safe for you and your environment. However, you can follow these steps for temporary relief from bed bugs.
- Clean your room thoroughly and get rid of clutter.
- Move your bed far from the wall and from furniture to avoid bugs moving in between them.
- Vacuum your windows, floors, box springs, pieces of furniture, and bed seams as often as you can. Importantly, always empty the vacuum outside your home and dispose of it in a sealed bag.
- Wash your sheets, blankets, bed covers, and pillowcases while paying attention to the seams. After washing, allow them to air dry, preferably under the sun, for about 30 minutes. You may also iron them before using them. Bed bugs do not survive in the heat.
- Seal any visible cracks or crevices where bugs may be hiding.
How Can I Avoid Bringing Bed Bugs Into My Home?
Bed bugs are likely to be found wherever people gather. So, always be cautious when you’re in public spaces such as libraries and parks and also when you use public facilities such as public transportation.
Be cautious of the kind of hotels you lodge in, and when you lodge, watch out for signs of a bed bug infestation. Also, since bed bugs can easily attach to surfaces, make sure you vacuum your box or suitcases when you return home. Wash your clothes and ensure you hot dry them.
Lastly, before buying second-hand
furniture or mattresses, make sure you thoroughly inspect them for signs of bed bugs. If you’re not sure about how to do that, you can have a pest control official inspect it for you.
Exterminating bed bugs from an environment takes time and consistency. It can also be exhausting physically and emotionally. In some cases, it may need the cooperation of neighbors and friends who are likely to be dealing with an infestation too. This would help prevent future recurrences of bed bug infestation. The best way to deal with bugs is to notify pest control companies.