Bed bugs are incredibly mobile and move quickly, even though they don’t have wings. In addition, they multiply intensively. All this means that once they appear in your home, they will be difficult to exterminate. However, their presence cannot be accepted. What can you do? Instructions can be found in the article.

What is a bed bug?

A bed bug is a parasite that feeds on the blood of humans and animals. Adult bugs are small, flat, oval in shape and their body is brown in color and resembles an apple pit. The young, called nymphs, are smaller and can be translucent or yellowish in color, making them harder to spot. Bed bugs don’t have wings, but they are very mobile – they can move quickly across different surfaces such as floors, walls and ceilings. Adults can live up to a year and under favorable conditions one female can lay hundreds of eggs.

Where do bed bugs come from in the home?

Bed bugs can enter a home in a number of ways, most commonly as “passengers” on clothing, luggage, furniture or other items that have been moved from places where they were already present. Places where bed bugs are often found include:

  • in apartments and blocks – they move between apartments through joints and pipes,
  • hotels, hostels – places where many guests pass, which increases the risk of their presence,
  • used upholstered furniture – they can hide in crevices of sofas, armchairs or mattresses,
  • public transport – e.g. trains, buses and planes.

Bed bugs can also get in from neighboring dwellings, through cracks, ventilation pipes or sewers, which makes it difficult to eliminate them in large buildings.

How do you know if you have bed bugs in your home?

The presence of bed bugs can be difficult to detect, especially at first. On the other hand, there are situations that clearly indicate that a problem exists.

  • Bite marks – pinches usually occur mostly at night. Their bites usually occur in clusters or lines on exposed skin, most commonly on the face, neck, arms, and hands. The reaction to a bite can range from mild redness to severe itching, and some people may experience allergic reactions.
  • Blood stains on bedclothes – traces of blood on bedclothes or pillowcases can be the result of accidental outbreaks of bed bugs during sleep.
  • Feces – black-brown spots on the mattress, bed linen or around the place where bed bugs hide.
  • Remains of bedbugs– the shed skin of the nymphs and the eggs of bed bugs are small, white and hard to see, but their presence is a sure sign that there are bed bugs in the house.
  • Unpleasant smell – if a large colony is present, the brushes emit a peculiar, sweet smell reminiscent of rotten fruit.
  • Live bugs – Sometimes they can be seen with the naked eye, especially in the crevices of mattresses, bed frames, furniture and other places where they can hide.

Where do bed bugs most often hide?

Bed bugs are masters of hiding. Their flattened body allows them to slip into the tightest crevices. The most likely places where they can hide are:

  1. mattresses and beds – especially in the seams and corners of mattresses, in bed frames and around the headrest,
  2. upholstered furniture – cushions and folds of sofas, armchairs and corners,
  3. cracks in walls and floors – they can move through pipes and fittings,
  4. pictures and frames – they like dark and closed spaces, so pictures and mirrors are ideal hiding places for them,
  5. curtain rods and curtains – especially if they are around the bed or sofa,
  6. places under wallpapers – if the wallpapers peel off, bugs can get under them, especially in the seams or corners.

Bed bug bites – recognition and effects

Bed bug bites can be confused with mosquito or flea bites. However, they differ from them primarily in the extent of the pain – here it is greater, because the stingers sting repeatedly, creating rows or clusters of stingswhich is different from individual mosquito bites. They also look different – ​​they are small, red lumps with swelling. They itch and turn into sores after scratching. In some people, they cause allergic reactions (blisters and skin eruptions).

How to effectively get rid of bed bugs in your home?

Washing and drying – washing bed linen, clothes and other textiles in hot water (above 60°C) and drying at high temperatures kills bed bugs and their eggs. Items that cannot be washed can be treated at high temperature in the dryer.

  1. Vacuuming – daily vacuuming of mattresses, beds, carpets and other surfaces can help remove bed bugs. After vacuuming, the bag of the vacuum cleaner should be closed tightly and thrown outside the house.
  2. Mattress covers – by purchasing special covers against bed bugs, you can prevent the spread of bed bugs. The cover should be sealed and left on the mattress for several months to prevent bed bugs from escaping.
  3. Crack sealing – bed bugs can spread through cracks in walls and floors. Sealing off these areas will limit their access to shelters.
  4. Chemical control – there are many chemicals designed to control bed bugs, but choose only those that are approved for residential use. These products should be used as directed and care should be taken not to use them on bedding and mattresses unless specifically stated.
  5. Professional extermination – in case of extensive infestation, it is best to contact a pest control company. Professionals can use chemical or heat methods to completely eliminate bed bugs.

Check mattresses and furniture, especially upholstered furniture, regularly to prevent the return of bed bugs. Keep your home clean and wash or disinfect not only your clothes but also your suitcases when you return from your travels.

Do you think you don’t have bedbugs at home?