The Ultimate Bed Bug Guide: How To Identify Them And How To Get Rid Of Them?

Bedbugs can be the bane of existence—to say the least. They are one of the most prevalent pests in the world, because of their ability to adapt to new surroundings, and difficulty in eradicating them. They are seen in almost all parts of the world, including all over the United States. They fell into a decline during the mid of 20^th century, but resurgence was seen in the 1980’s, and their number is rising still.

Bedbugs look like small apple seeds, until they feed and become a larger size. They feed on the blood of animals and humans. While they can’t fly, they do move quickly all over floors and walls.

Where do they hide?

If you think that you have eradicated bedbugs from your area, think again. Bedbugs are notorious for hiding and they can get into your home undetected through luggage, clothing, used couches and beds. They mostly reside in mattresses, bed frames and box springs where they can easily feed on people during the night. Bedbugs can spread from one piece of furniture into the entire house.

When do they bite?

Bedbugs don’t come out during the day. It is at night that they are active and go about biting people when they are asleep. Bedbug bites usually are painless at first, but they turn into welts later on. These welts can also be itchy in some people. Bedbug bites can look like mosquito bites and if a person does not realize they have a bedbug infestation, they may just attribute the welt to mosquitoes.

How to identify an infestation?

A big clue to bedbug infestation could be the use of new second-hand or borrowed furniture that you got, or any other piece of furniture that wasn’t in your house before. Bedbugs can leave a blood stain on your pillowcases or sheet. Moreover, there can be rusty or dark spots of excrement on sheets and mattresses. Their fecal spots, shed skins or eggs could be seen around their area of hiding.

If you suspect bedbugs to be around, remove all the bedding and check for sign of their excrement. Be thorough in your exam, and even check the seams of the wooden framing. If the fabric is stapled to the wood frame, you need to remove it to check for these insects.

How to get rid of bedbugs?

Getting rid of bedbugs begins by cleaning the place where they reside. Clean the bedding, curtains, linens and other clothing items in hot water. Use a stiff brush to scrub the mattress seams. Vacuum the area around your bed frequently.

If there are any cracks in the beds or surroundings, then repair them with plaster and glue. The hiding places of the bedbugs should be covered.

Get an exterminator

If nothing works, get the help of an exterminator. Chemical treatments could be used by the professional exterminator in certain areas of the house.

If you are not sure if the welts on your body are bedbug bites or not, consult a dermatologist to know for sure and get treatment accordingly. Book an appointment with top dermatologist in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.