Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects that are a reddish-brown and approximately one-quarter inch long. They are attracted to blood and feed on humans and animals by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. Bed bugs typically feed every three to seven days, although they can survive for several months without a meal.
If you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience a bed bug infestation, then you know just how frustrating and challenging they can be to get rid of. So where do these pesky critters come from, and how can you get rid of them once and for all?
Where do bed bugs come from?
Bed bugs have been associated with humans for over 3,300 years and are found in every continent except Antarctica. The early colonist was the first one who brings bed bugs to the United States, and from there, they quickly spread to every state. However, bed bug infestation was almost eradicated in the 1950s due to the widespread use of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) and vacuums.
Unfortunately, bed bugs have come back in recent years and become a global problem.
Bed bugs are great in hitchhiking and can be easily transported from one place to another in personal belongings, luggage, or even on your clothes. We often accidentally bring them into homes and hotels after traveling, so it’s important to inspect your belongings carefully when returning from a trip.
Bed bugs do not fly. Instead, they crawl through cracks and crevices to get around. Once they are in your home, they will hide in furniture, bedding, or carpeting and come out at night to feed on blood while you sleep.
What attracts bed bugs?
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. They are common in areas where people sleep, such as beds, couches, and chairs. They can also be found in other places inside homes, like baseboards, electrical outlets, and picture frames.
Study finds bed bugs are also attracted to a certain color, like dark red and black. The research team placed bed bugs on Petri dishes with different paper colors. They found out that bed bugs moved fastest towards dark red and black.
Signs of bed bugs infestations
Bed bugs’ saliva works as an esthetic, so people may not realize that bed bugs bite them until they see the welts on their skin. In addition, some people may have an allergic reaction to the bed bug’s saliva, which can cause red, itchy welts. Bed bug bites are commonly in a line or cluster on the skin.
Other signs of bed bug infestations include:
- Blood stains on sheets or pillowcases – these may be from squashed bed bugs or from scratching bites
- Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on sheets, mattresses, or furniture – this may look like tar and is usually accompanied by an unpleasant musty odor.
- Bed bug eggs or eggshells – these are small (1mm) and white
- Skin castings – these are small, dark brown shells that bed bugs shed as they grow.
- Live Bed bugs – you may see the bugs themselves.
Bed bugs are mainly active at night. However, if the infestation is severe, you may see them during the day. Bed bugs usually require 5-10 minutes to engorge with blood, after which they retreat to their hiding spots.
How to get rid of bed bugs?
If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, it’s important to act quickly. Bed bugs reproduce quickly and can spread to other areas of your home or even to your neighbor’s homes.
The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to have a bed bug treatment from professional exterminator. They will be able to identify the infestation and treat your home accordingly.
In the meantime, there are some things you can do to help get rid of bed bugs:
Wash all your bedding in hot water and dry on high heat – this will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may be hiding in your sheets. Bed bugs die immediately when exposed to temperatures over 122 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they will die within 90 minutes at 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vacuum your entire home – this will help suck up any bed bugs or eggs hiding in carpets or furniture. Since bed bugs can hide in very small cracks and crevices, make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies with your vacuum attachment. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag afterward so the bed bugs cannot escape back into your home.
Throw away any infested items – this includes clothing, furniture, or anything else that may be harboring bed bugs. If an item cannot be washed or vacuumed, seal it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for at least 2-4 days. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that are inside.
Prevention
The best way to prevent bed bugs is to be vigilant when traveling. Be sure to check your hotel room for signs of bedbugs before unpacking your belongings. If you see any, notify the front desk and request a new room.
When you return home from travel, carefully inspect your luggage and clothes. Wash everything in hot water and dry on high heat. Vacuum your suitcase and any other travel bags before storing them away.
It’s also a good idea to regularly vacuum and steam clean your home, especially if you live in an apartment or condo where bed bugs could easily spread from neighboring units.
Seal any cracks and crevices around your home where bed bugs could enter. This includes cracks in the baseboards, behind switch plates, and in furniture.
Just being vigilant and aware of the signs of bed bug infestations can go a long way in preventing them.