Bitten by Bed Bugs? Read Our 5-step Prevention and Solution Guide
Imagine waking up to a smell that’s both musty and sweet, you uncover your duvet to witness the shells and carcasses of several hundred bed bugs and smears of their excrement…
Not a nice image is it?
This is what it’s like waking up to a bed bug infestation, and while most of the time they’re essentially harmless, having them living within your bed covers and other areas of you house isn’t exactly pleasant.
The main problem with bed bugs aren’t their bites, or the pain (which is almost non-existent), it’s knowing how to identify them! The bites themselves are tricky to identify because they’re often confused with mosquito and flea bites. This can lead to people shrugging off the possibility of a bed bug infestation, which means they’ll just keep multiplying!
In this article, we’re going to be talking through what to do after you’ve been bitten by bed bugs.
- Why you might think you haven’t been bitten
Bed bug bites are often painless because they actually inject an anesthetic-like solution before they begin their feeding process. This means that you’re not disturbed during your sleep, which in turn, allows the bedbug to feed on your skin for as long at 10 minutes! The only time where you might find yourself in some minor discomfort is if you’re allergic to their bites (which is uncommon). If this is the case and you’re concerned, simply visit your local GP.
- Identify the difference between bed bug bites and other bites
As stated previously, knowing how to identify bed bug bites is very important in order to effectively treat the problem. One of the simpler ways to identify bed bug bites is by itchiness. Yes, all bites itch to some degree, but if you encounter a mild burning sensation a few days after, it’s likely you’ve been bitten by a bed bug. Once verified of bite you may want to call a professional pest control company to get treatment to your home.
One of the most common ways to identify bed bug bites is if you notice your bites are in a group, or even a line. Mosquitoes and fleas do not adopt similar bite patterns, both usually bite once or twice and in various areas (as there’s usually only one flea/mosquito at a time).
Note: try not to scratch or itch your bed bug bites! While infection is rare, it can occur if you’re constantly scratching and generally irritating the skin.
- Look out for clues of a bed bug infestation
Some bed bug signs are fairly obvious, and some aren’t! Castings, shells, smears of excrement, blood and other unpleasant skin cells may litter your bed and/or furniture. Some of the most common bed bug hot spots are:
- Furniture (sofas, beds, chairs)
- Carpets
- Curtains
- Towels
- Wallpaper cracks
Bed bugs – despite their name – will set up camp almost anywhere that provides shelter and warmth. This is one of the reasons that they’re so good at spreading because people think they only live among your bed sheets! Be sure to inspect these hot spots if you’re worried about a bed bug infestation.
- Stopping them from entering your home
Now that you’re educated on what bed bugs are, what they feed on and where they live, the next step is prevention. The important thing to remember is that not all bed bug prevention techniques involve spraying your furniture with nasty chemicals, as this may cause more harm than good.
If you find them in your bed and/or bed sheets, wash them on your highest washing setting (usually 60 degrees) as bed bugs are not particularly fond of high temperatures. If this does not rid the problem, try professional mattress cleaning in Los Angeles, as this is one of the more specialized ways to efficiently destroy the presence of bed bugs. Similarly, you could also seek professional help from a pest control company that specializes in bed bug control.
The most important way to prevent bed bugs from entering your property in the first place is to wash your bed sheets and linen regularly. Bed bugs lay their eggs anywhere that’s warm, dark and provides adequate shelter.
The solution is essentially very simple, don’t leave your clothes on the floor and keep your property clean!
- Last but not least – effective bed bug treatment!
Professional bed bug treatment is never far away. If you aren’t interested in tackling these critters on your own, maybe due to lack of experience or you simply want to ensure they’re gone for good, contact a bed bug control company you can trust.
Hopefully these 5 tips have set your mind at ease and helped you understand what bed bugs are, why the infest our properties and how to get rid of them! Remember, if you feel that you’re not up to the challenge of tackling a huge bed bug infestation, our pest control services are always here to help. Do not hesitate to call our expert team for a free estimate on (916) 378-5102.