Whenever you lie down to sleep after a long day, the last thing you want is an uncomfortable sleep and waking up to bug bites. These tiny bugs are difficult to spot and can escape your vision for a long time.
To have better sleep and prevent possible allergic reactions, you must take adequate measures to drive away and prevent these pesky bugs from settling in your bed and furniture.
An Overview of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs, scientifically known as cimex lectularius, are tiny small insects usually feeding off the blood of animals and humans.
These bugs are from 1mm to 7mm in length, with flat bodies making it nearly impossible to spot one. The blood of sleeping creatures is their primary food source. They can reproduce rapidly and stay alive for long periods between meals. This makes it very important to get rid of them at the earliest and pest control Richmond services can help in this regard.
Bed Bugs – A Nuisance or a Threat
Generally, bed bugs cause no more than just irritation and itches. They are tiny to have any considerable direct effect on health with a small appetite. However, as far as allergic reactions are concerned, bed bugs bite may require medical attention. All in all, they irritate and ruin a good sleep.
Effective Tips to Drive Away Bed Bugs
Getting rid of bed bugs may not be as simple as it seems. Due to their ability to stay hidden from your eyes, you must be knowledgeable enough to spot a bed bug infestation and act accordingly. You can take a couple of steps to exterminate these bugs from your home and prevent a future infestation.
Investigate
First and foremost, you need to identify the infestation before taking offensive measures. It is ideal for spotting an infestation before it grows in scale. Bed bugs can reproduce fast as a female bed bug lays 500 eggs in its lifetime. A minor infestation is much easier to treat than a more serious one.
If you have noticed bites around your arms and feet, you should act fast and hunt them down. The most common signs of bed bug infestations are bed bug droppings, small shredded eggs, and blood stains on the mattress.
You should look for bed bugs between cushions, curtains, wallpapers, and wooden joints, as they are likely to form a nest in tight, safe spaces.
Containment
Bed bugs may be present in thousands around the infested areas. However, it’s pretty simple to contain and dispose of these pests.
One easy method is to use a vacuum cleaner on the affected area, seal them up in an air-tight plastic bag and throw them away. Regardless of their quantity, bedbugs are relatively easier to entrap and exterminate.
Use Steam or Hot Water
Getting rid of the live bedbugs from the infested area of mattresses won’t be enough if you’re looking to drive bed bugs away once and for all. Vacuuming your sheets won’t eliminate the laid eggs, which may hatch and sprout another infestation.
To exterminate remaining bedbugs and eggs, use temperature to your advantage. Wash the affected items with hot water or steam, then dry them at the hottest setting.
Using the Right Chemicals
Another effective way to eradicate a bed bug infestation is to use pesticides, insecticides, or bug bombs. These chemicals are specifically designed to kill pests without posing a significant risk to your health.
Insecticides are ideal due to their relatively higher toxicity. Bug bombs are the most effective solution. However, they render your rooms unsafe for some time, forcing you to vacate temporarily.
Hire an Exterminator
If DIY practices aren’t your thing and you’re looking for a quick and guaranteed solution, opt for hiring a professional to do that for you. There is a plethora of pest control services offering solutions to any pest problem you may encounter. Pest control experts ensure a fast, safe and permanent solution to drive away the bed bugs and prevent a similar situation from arising.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs are one of the most common pests to feed off humans and animals during sleep. Even though generally harmless bedbugs may invoke an allergic reaction in some people. You can take a few steps to remove bed bugs from your property and prevent further intrusion. Identify an infestation and contain it using vacuum cleaners.
After disposing of the live bedbugs, give your mattresses the hot water treatment. Moreover, you can use chemicals to exterminate bedbugs or consult professional services for maximum surety and convenience.
