Bed bugs are becoming more common, and they can cause all
kinds of problems for you and your family. Once they get into your bed and on
your sheets and linens, they can spread throughout
the home. Fixing the problem quickly should be your aim. Here’s how to deal
with the problem from start to finish.
Why Are Bed Bugs a
Problem?
Before you go any further, you need to know what bed bugs
are and why they are such a problem if they get in your bed. They are small
brown insects, and they survive on the blood of humans. So, when you have bed
bugs in your home, they will bite you and withdraw tiny amounts of blood while
you sleep. This obviously isn’t going to kill you or anything, but it’s still a
pretty unpleasant thought. Here’s some bed bug information if you want to know more.
The bites don’t hurt at the time, but they can become itchy
and sore later on. If you start to notice them, you need to take action. The
other problem with them is that they are very difficult to completely get rid
of. And when you think they’re gone, they have a tendency to come back with a
vengeance. Their ability to survive and spread perpetuates this.
Signs to Look Out For
There are some signs of an infestation that you should be
looking out for if you have any concerns. First of all, as I mentioned before,
the evidence of bites is one sign to be looking out for. Red itchy patches on
your skin that weren’t there when you went to bed are a sure sign that you have
a bed bug problem. You might not necessarily see evidence on your skin, but you
might see blood spots on your bed sheets.
The bed bugs will also probably give off quite a distinctive
odor. The smell is usually musty and unpleasant. So, if you start to notice
that kind of smell, you should investigate further. Checking the bed very
carefully will usually reveal small bugs and white eggs if there is an
infestation.
Treating the Area
The first step to take when you’re trying to get rid of bed
bugs is to clean and treat the area where the bed bugs are. You should first
strip the bed and wash them on a high heat and dry them at a high temperature
too. The same goes for anything else like cushions or soft toys that were on
the bed. You should then use a stiff brush to get any remaining bugs off the
mattress.
Finally, vacuum the bed and the area around it to make
sure that none of the bugs remain on the floor. If any of the bugs survive,
they will simply come back. If your infestation problem is fairly small, this
process should be enough to get rid of the problem. But some infestations can
be more severe, and they may require different techniques to solve the problem.
Exterminating Them
If the treatment outlined above didn’t solve your problem,
it’s possible that you’ll need to go a step further to exterminate them. This
step requires the use of chemicals. These chemicals can be dangerous,
so make sure you use them with care. Check the bottle and make sure it says
that the chemicals are safe for use in bedrooms because some chemicals are not.
For people who are not confident using these kinds of
potentially dangerous chemicals, it might be best to leave it to someone else.
You can hire an exterminator who is trained in the use of chemicals and won’t
make the kinds of mistakes that you are likely to make. It will cost you a
little more money, but at least you will be sure that the job is being done
correctly.
Making Sure They
Don’t Return
Once your nightmare is over and you have gotten rid of the
problem, the last thing you want is for the problem to return. You need to keep
your sheets clean and washed at all times. And be sure to inspect the bed and mattress, brushing it down in the process.
This will help to make sure that any problem is dealt with quickly if it does
return. You should also be careful not to bring bed bugs home with you. So, when
you stay in a hotel, check the bed and make sure there are no bugs in there.
It’s worth doing everything possible to stop them coming back.
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