How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs Before Bedtime

Sleep is an essential part of our daily routine. After coming back home from a long day, our places of respite are so important. Having an environment that allows us to recharge for the next day is crucial to our well-being. A conducive environment for rest involves a bug-free home. Bed bugs are a major threat to our places of respite. They reside in the areas where we frequently take a nap, or lie down. What is a bed bug and how can we get rid of it? This article will go through everything you need to know about these blood-thirsty insects.

Intruder’s Profile

Before knowing how to get rid of bed bugs, it is important to understand their key characteristics. A bed bug is a small, flat insect that expands when they feed on the blood of humans or animals. Once a bed bug is finished with feeding, it can take a few weeks for it to start feeding again. Bed bugs are brown in colour, and oval in shape. They lurk near places where humans rest, so that they can reach their target host easily.

These insects go by the name, ‘bed bug’ because they are most commonly found in bedrooms. Humans often get bitten by bed bugs when asleep. Though the bed bug has an easy name to remember, the insect also goes by other names. Worldwide, there have been common sightings of the Cimex Lectularius (Common Bed Bug), the Cimex Hemipterus (Tropical Bed Bug), both of which belong to the family of bed bugs. These bed bugs have a common habit of residing in the homes of unsuspecting humans.

The Hideouts

Bed bugs can infest a home, being attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. They typically seek out locations where they can easily access humans, often concealing themselves in spots we may overlook. Here are some common areas where bed bugs are frequently found:

Closets – Bed bugs are particularly drawn to soft textiles like clothing, making closets a prime hiding spot. It’s crucial to inspect the areas where you store your clothes for any signs of bed bugs, as they might infest your entire wardrobe.

Travel Baggage – It would be a good idea to check your luggage every time you come back from a holiday. Hotel rooms that are not properly cleaned may have bed bugs. They may crawl from the beds or carpets into your luggage, and get transported back home.

Bedding – Bed bugs readily settle into your bed, emerging at night to feed on you while you sleep. Regularly inspecting your mattress and headboards is essential to detect their presence, as they tend to hide in various crevices of the bed.

Areas Near the Bed – Besides the bed, bed bugs may hide in other places of your bedroom. They will usually stay within 20 feet away from their target host. This makes the curtains, cluttered areas and corners of your room attractive spots to hide. Bed bugs hide in places where they can easily access their next blood meal.

Clues to Find Bed Bugs

Identifying the presence of bed bugs can be challenging. These insects hide so well. Nevertheless, a little bit of detective work can help you to discover if they are present at home. It is always better to be on the lookout for bed bugs. Staying vigilant can prevent you from getting bitten by them.  

A Crime Scene – Identifying the presence of dead bed bugs is similar to looking at a crime scene. If there are tiny blood stains on your bedsheets or mattress, you might have a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs like to feed on their sleeping, oblivious, human host. If you are someone that tosses and turns a lot in your sleep, you might crush and kill these bugs. The blood stains are a result of their unanticipated murder.

Bed Bug Droppings – The presence of blood stains can also mean that bed bugs have excreted digested blood. It is characteristic of bed bugs to excrete while drawing blood from their host.

Bite Marks – If there is a bed bug infestation at home, chances of getting bitten are high. A bitten individual typically would have multiple bed bug bites on the arms and legs. Bed bug bites can be itchy. The bites can cause allergic reactions. Some of the symptoms of allergic reactions include redness and swelling.

Repulsive Odour – There might be a strong, unpleasant smell coming from your bedsheets. This could mark the presence of bed bugs. Their glands produce an odour.

Prevention and Eradication Plan

When it comes to prevention and eradication measures, there are many ways of going about it. Here are some ways to ensure that you do not get bitten by a bed bug:

Cleaning – It is necessary to constantly clean the areas where bed bugs may frequent. From bedsheets to curtains, it is ideal to regularly have them washed. When doing the laundry, a good tip would be to wash and dry them under the highest temperature advised for the fabrics. Bed bugs will not be able to survive the high temperature.

Bed Inspections – Inspecting your bed regularly helps with identifying bed bugs early. A good habit would be to regularly change your bed covers. As you remove your bed covers, you can also look for blood stains or droppings.

Luggage Placement – Bed bugs can hitch a ride into your home by hiding in your luggage. Once inside, they can multiply and spread. When staying in hotels, it’s advisable to use luggage racks instead of placing your bags on the beds, reducing the risk of bed bugs infiltrating your belongings.  

Decluttering – Eliminating hiding spots for bed bugs involves decluttering areas they might inhabit. Keeping your bedroom free from excessive clutter, especially around the bed, is a good practice. A cluttered room can attract bed bugs and other unwanted pests.

Experienced Bed Bug Removers

For effective bed bug removal, seeking professional assistance is often necessary. These tiny pests are skilled at hiding. First Choice Pest Specialist offers inspection and advisory services for all types of pest issues. Our experienced pest controllers can tailor treatment plans to meet your specific requirements, ensuring a pest-free home.

For more information about a bed bug infestation, contact us today.