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Top Tips on Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

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"Goodnight. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite." But what if you do? Back in the 1950s bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) were eradicated from the United States, but due to the recent mixture of an increase in travel, lack of knowledge and pesticide resistance, these little pests have been reappearing in homes all across the US. What exactly are they though and how do we get rid of these blood-sucking pests without paying an arm and a leg for bed bug heat treatment or expensive pest management professionals? Here is a quick overview of what they are, how we find them and the best ways of treating our home and skin.

What Are Bed Bugs?

The common bed bug is a tiny pest that starts as small, pearl-white colored egg, roughly the size of a pinhead. It then becomes a translucent nymph, or young bed bug, which is unfortunately almost invisible to the naked eye. Eventually, it becomes larger and reaches the size of an apple seed, roughly 5-7mm. It has a long, brown, flat or round-shaped body, depending on how recently it fed. These wingless pests come out from hiding at night and feed on the blood of people or animals, which lasts roughly four to twelve minutes, leaving the majority of their victims itchy. This meal will sustain them for five to ten days, but can survive months without feeding and can reach a lifespan of anywhere from four months to a year. One of the only positive things about bed bugs is that they do not spread or transmit any disease.

How Do You Find Bed Bugs?

It is extremely important to always be on the lookout for bed bugs, as the earlier you correctly identify and detect them, the quicker you can prevent them from spreading and infesting other areas of the home. While some may think one of the clear ways of identifying bed bugs is through seeing bites on the skin, this is not the best protocol. Some bites may not appear for up to 14 days, allowing these pests to continue spreading completely unnoticed, or they could be bites from other insects.

One easy way to see bed bugs is to be on the lookout for small rusty or reddish stains on the bedclothes or mattress. These would be crushed bed bugs or excrement. Small yellow skins might also be seen which would be the exoskeletons of the young bed bugs after molting.

Once you have done a thorough investigation and discovery of bed bugs in the home, it is vital to find where they are living. Because they love to hide, it may take some time to find their location. Look in any cracks in frames, crevices, dresser tables or box springs. They are known to live within eight feet of where people sleep.

Health Reactions and Treatments to Bites

Often after a bed bug feeds, welts in the shape of a zigzag pattern may appear. If you are one of the unlucky ones and find bed bites on your skin, make sure to resist the urge to scratch them as this could eventually lead to infections. Wash the bed bug bites on your skin with warm soap and water to reduce itchiness and prevent infection. If they continue to severely itch, apply corticosteroid cream which should be available at your local pharmacy. If you need a stronger corticosteroid, a prescription may be necessary.

Usually, the bites will disappear within a few weeks, but if you are having trouble breathing, your tongue is swelling, or there are any other signs that you are having a serious allergic reaction to the bites, immediately call a doctor.

How to Treat Your Home

Once the bed bugs are in the home, they will quickly reproduce and could potentially stay around for weeks or months if immediate action is not taken. Make sure to first take preventative measures and reduce the risk of them spreading. Use sealed plastic bags to move objects around from the room to the washing machine and dryer. From there, contact the landlord and a professional to assist with the removal of the pests. If you would prefer to take matters into your own hands, there are a few bed bug removal tips you can attempt.

Bed bugs cannot survive in temperatures that reach over 113 Fahrenheit, therefore, they are often removed by using heat treatment. Some homeowners follow the non-chemical approach and use a clothes dryer on high heat or leave black plastic bags in the sun or in a hot closed car to get rid of the pests. Unfortunately this rarely completely eliminates all of the bed bugs.

Another approach is to use bed bug spray or bug bombs, but make sure they are EPA registered pesticides. If all else fails, hire a pest management professional who will be able to get rid of these pests.

How to Protect Your Home

Once the bed bugs have been eliminated, take the time to regularly check for them. If you are buying second-hand furniture, closely inspect them to see if they are clean and pest-free. These bugs love to hitchhike and will often spread by traveling on furniture, bedding, clothing, luggage and boxes. Also, vacuum frequently and reduce the amount of clutter in the home. These are the ideal hiding places for the annoying pests.