Bed bugs are tiny, nocturnal insects, which are reddish-brown in color. They feed on human blood and cause itchy bites. These insects prefer humans, but they can also be found on mice and birds. It is difficult to eliminate bed bugs once they infest your home. This makes it important to take steps to prevent them.
Sources
Bed bugs usually infest homes through luggage and clothing that has come into contact with infected surfaces. Travelling is one of the most common ways or getting bed bugs. Hotel rooms are the main source of bed bugs. However, they can also be found in other places including:
· Cabins
· Parks
· Movie theatres
· Apartments
· Dormitories
· Used furniture
Finding Bed Bugs
The most obvious way to identify bed bug infestation is finding itchy red bumps on your skin. These bumps tend to be large, but some people do not react to bed bug bites. Check your bed bugs for any signs of blood. The presence of blood may indicate bed bugs. If you find the insects in your home, it is essential to inform your landlord if you live in an apartment. Contact a pest control service to eliminate the insects if you own the home.
There are certain places that bed bugs prefer to stay to make it easy for them to access human body. Some of the popular hideouts for these insects include:
· Bed frame
· Box spring
· Mattress
· Upholstered chairs
· Dresser table drawers
Examine your mattress carefully, especially at the seams to check for bed bugs. Look for small red spots on your mattress. The spots may indicate that you mattress has been infested by bed bugs. Bed bugs can also be found on the nightstand because this keeps them close to human bodies. They come out at night and this makes it difficult to see them during the day.
Reducing Bed Bugs
Once you have identified the presence of bed bugs in your home, you should find ways to reduce them. Here are 7 ways to reduce bed bugs.
Luggage
You have to be more careful about where you place your luggage when you get home from a trip. Wash all the clothes you had used during your trip. These clothes have to be washed separately from the other clothes.
When you arrive home, vacuum your bag or suitcase to remove bed bugs. You have to do this outside. If you find bed bugs on your luggage, you can dispose it to reduce the risk of infestation.
Protecting Mattress
Mattresses are the main target for bed bugs buy you can reduce infestation by covering them with protective covers. The cover will seal your mattress and trap and kill all the bed bugs. This cover will also prevent other insects from infesting the mattress. You will find it easy to see bed bugs if you use a mattress cover.
Reduce Clutter
A home that has a lot of clutter is more likely to have bed bugs. The clutter offers a good environment for the insects to hide. Reducing clutter will decrease the number of hiding places.
Regular Cleaning
Another effective way toreduce bed bugs is through regular cleaning. Wash your clothing, bed sheets, blankets, and duvet is you suspect if your home in infested by these insects. They can also hide in laundry hamper.
Luggage Storage
When you have to stay in a hotel room, make sure you place your luggage on an elevated surface. This will ensure that your personal items do not come into contact with the floor. Inspect your luggage before you check out of the hotel. It will take some time to inspect the luggage and all its content but this is a great way to ensure that you do not carry these insects home.
Non-Toxic Sprays
If there are some bugs in your home, an effective solution is to use a non-toxic spray to control their spread. The spray will only reduce the number of bed bugs in your home but not eliminate them.
Use High Temperatures
Bed bugs cannot withstand high temperatures. Use hot water to clean your bed sheets and bed cover if you have bed bugs. A steam cleaner will help you to clean your mattress and reduce these insects.
Professional Bed Bug Reduction
If all the measures you have taken fail, it is advisable to seek professional assistance to reduce the number of bed bugs. Make sure you identify an experienced company that uses environmentally friendly solutions to reduce the insects.