Have you ever experienced going on an amazing vacation and having fun in various activities? After a long, productive day, you want to retire to your hotel room and plan your next adventure for the next day. Instead of enjoying the next morning, you woke up with itchy red marks around your body. You dismissed it as a mosquito bite and applied an anti-itch cream, thinking that the bite marks will subside. However, as you go along the vacation, fresh bite marks appear every morning. The worst part is, it followed you home. If you're wondering what these are, well, you might have encountered an unwanted friend from vacation called bed bugs.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are a part of the genus Cimex from the family of Cimicidae. The adults are flat, oval-shaped, with light brown to reddish-brown color. Young bed bugs, on the other hand, are yellowish, almost translucent in color. They feed solely on the blood of either animals or humans.
Did you know that there are 90 known species of bed bugs around the world? However, only 3 of the species are known to feed on humans. The Cimex Lectularius is called the common bed bug that feeds on any mammal. The Cimex Hemipterus, however, is likely to choose humans as their target. Thirdly, the Leptocimex Boueti, also known as bat bugs, don't only prefer bats as prey, but also humans if it’s more convenient for them.
Unlike other pests, bed bugs don’t have wings or strong hind legs to help them land into their meal. Instead, they crawl into small hiding places and let their victim come near them. Bed bugs are most active at night. While humans sleep or rest on their sofa, these nightcrawlers will see this as an opportunity to feed. Other bed bugs adjust their feeding time according to their victim's sleep schedule. A single meal will only last 3 to 10 minutes. Then, they crawl back into hiding and remain hidden for about 3 to 5 days before feeding again.
People believe that bed bugs do not spread diseases like mosquitoes and fleas. However, there is sufficient evidence that shows they can transmit Lyme disease and other pathogens. To others, a bedbug bite can lead to intense itch and skin allergies. This is due to their saliva. It has an anesthetic and a blood thinner component. This turns the blood flow smoother, making it painless and effortless for them to suck the blood out of their victim.
The life cycle of bed bugs
- The eggs are the first forms of the bedbug. These are white, grain-like objects. Eyespots that can appear once the eggs are about 5 days old. They hatch within 1 to 2 weeks depending on the condition of the environment. From here, nymphs emerge.
- Nymphs molt five times before they turn into adults. This is a process called ecdysis. Early stages of nymph are translucent to yellowish. As they mature, their color will start to darken. Before a nymph molts, it requires a blood meal before shedding its exoskeleton and reaching maturity. Since they are weak enough to reach human skin, they rely on the adult excrement to get the nutrition they need.
- The last stage of bedbugs in the adult phase. When females reach maturity, they can lay 2 to 3 eggs a day. If accumulated, it could amount to hundreds of offspring in one lifetime. Never underestimate the power of one female bed bug, for it can start a full-on infestation at home.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs are sneaky creatures and are great hitchhikers. They could hide inside your luggage while you lounge in a hotel room. Sometimes, they sneak into your bag or clothes while watching a movie in a cinema. Other times, you catch bed bugs by buying used furniture and old appliances. This is why professional bug exterminators recommend spraying used materials before bringing them inside your house.
These bugs are not attracted to filth. High-class hotels, clean apartments, and tidy houses are not immune to bed bug infestation. Though clutter may aid them in hiding, early detection of infestations helps in eliminating them from your home. If you suspect a bed bug infestation, Gastonia exterminators reiterate the signs you need to watch out for.
- Patterned, small, itchy red bites, especially on exposed areas of the skin. Though this could be a sign of other insects such as fleas and mosquitoes, you can never be too sure. This is why you need to dig a little deeper and assess what pest is targeting your skin.
- Small bloodstains on the sofa, bed sheets, or pillowcases. This is the most common sign of bed bug infestations. If you see spots on your bedding and sheets, bed bugs could be hiding under the mattresses or near your bed.
- Bed bug excrement also indicates an infestation. These are small, dark spots on the fabrics that are hardened blood. If you place them on a wet tissue, it starts to mix with the water and turn into blood.
- Presence of the bed bug itself. It's easy to spot these creatures with light-colored sheets. If you see one crawling, expect that there is more lurking in the shadows. Aside from their physical appearance, you can also see shed skin from the nymphs. Try brushing your sheets with a hard brush. If you see exoskeletons accumulating, that's another sign of bed bug infestation.
How Can I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
These tiny blood-sucking insects are very opportunistic and are experts at hiding. You can't tell that bed bugs are already lingering inside your house unless the infestation is already severe. If you are experiencing a bed bug infestation, here are tips on how to get rid of bed bugs:
Track Down Their Hiding Spots
They hide on mattresses, seams, cracks on the floor, tables, torn wallpapers, carpets, bed frames, headboards, sofas, electrical outlets, and many more. Look for their telltale signs such as bloodstains, shedding, and excrements. If you see these around, you know they are within 3 feet from you. Check the areas mentioned above and start cleaning them.
Vacuum All The Way
Once you find out where they are hiding, use a powerful vacuum to extract them. Properly discard the contents of the vacuum to avoid infecting other areas of the house. Don't neglect to clean where you lounge, these could be where their eggs and nymphs are. Consider vacuuming the bed, sofa, and carpets. You never know if bed bugs are lying around here.
Wash Them
Wash all clothing, sheets, stuffed toys, bags - literally everything where bed bugs can hide including your shoes. If you can wash it with soap and hot water, do so. If you can use your dryer in high heat, that's better to ensure no bed bug can survive the wash. To save power, you can utilize the heat of the sun to kill bedbugs. Dry your sheets, toys, and clothing at day's peak to help eliminate bed bugs that dwell on these objects.
Seal Them Up
Infested items that can’t be washed or discarded can be sealed. Enclose them using plastic containers such as Ziplocs for a very long time. For your mattress and spring box, use an encasement to prevent the bed bugs from coming out to feed. If you seal the bed bugs in long enough, they eventually die of hunger. Not only is this method effective to kill bedbugs, but it also works to protect your mattress from dirt and stains.
Call An Exterminator
If you're experiencing severe pest infestations, you need to call an expert to do the job. These professionals are equipped with the knowledge and tools for pest management. For bed bugs, pest control companies use two methods. One is heat treatment and the other is chemical treatment.
In chemical treatment, they use aggressive chemicals that can kill bed bugs instantly. However, responsible exterminators such as Go-Forth Home Services will first assess the need before applying pesticides. If it's possible to stop an infestation using safe and natural methods, they prefer baits, traps, and heat treatment.
Did you know that some exterminators bring in trained dogs to track down bed bug infestations? Dogs could tract down the hiding spots of bed bugs by sniffing the musty odor they produce. What a great way to utilize the heightened senses of these adorable animals!
There you have it. The bed bug is one of the most notorious predators of humans and animals. Do not underestimate their existence because they can bring unexpected nuisances to your family. It is always best to stay safe and never let those bed bugs bite you while you sleep. One way to achieving this peace than calling reliable professionals to provide competent service for pest control. What are you waiting for? Get a free quote today!