Bed Bugs – Is your home Infested?
Bed Bugs are some of the worst types of pests. Their small (approx 3mm) size makes them incredibly difficult to be found and therefore incredibly difficult to get rid of. They are often heard of in news reports which focus on the reveal of bed bugs in upscale hotels, where guests have awoken to come across dozens of bed bugs bites all over their skin. However, most hotels are actually falsely accused of bed bug infestation, as what many people don’t know is that these pests can actually be transported through clothing of guests from infested homes.
Bed bugs only ever appear at night time to feed on exposed human skin. Bites are small and painless but can often be extremely itchy and may become infected if scratched. Along with beds they can also be discovered on other items of home furniture such as couches or chairs, infestation is particularly tricky to avoid due to their small size and also the confusion of many thinking their bites are actually the cause of fleas or other biting insects. It is possible to spot signs of bed bugs by keeping a good eye out for dark faecal spots on bed sheets and in cracks around beds, or of course if you are getting bitten in the night on a regular basis, bed bugs will usually bite three times in one area (breakfast, lunch and dinner!)
The good thing is that bed bugs have not been proven to carry any illnesses; however scientific studies are still ongoing so it’s often an idea to treat bites with steroid creams or antihistamines to decrease itching and prevent infection. The use of insect repellent to prevent bed bug bites has be tried and tested, uncovering unsuccessful results. Therefore, the ideal way to try and prevent infestation is to use bed bug encasements, which keep your bedding and pillows bed bug free, if your bed has legs you can also buy climb up interceptors, small bowl like products that prevent bugs from climbing up the bed. Of course washing your bed linen on a hot wash on a frequent basis will in addition minimize the chances of infestation. As mentioned earlier bed bugs are also excellent travellers, therefore studying your hotel before you book and conducting a quick check around your room may also be beneficial.
Just like other pests for instance mice and rats, there are also trapping methods you can consider in order to predict whether your home is infested. Simple traps such as, coating your bed legs with Vaseline or using double sided tape, will result in the bed bug becoming trapped enabling you to expose to your infestation to your landlord. Pest control organizations can supply more specialised trapping devises, such as the ‘Bed Bug Beacon CO2 Active Monitor’, used to lure the pests from hiding, often a good piece of equipment for early detection and for keeping the bugs away from your bed during an infestation. Another beneficial tool is the ‘Nightwatch Bed Bug Trap and Monitor’, a similar device to the fly trap, this will lure the bed bugs directly into the device using heat and scent and if employed for two weeks or more and no bed bugs have been caught, this can be a clear sign that you has no infestation.
For peace of mind and for the health and wellbeing of your loved ones, it is a good idea to seek the services of a pest control expert in order to take a look around your home. In worst cased circumstances people caught in infestation have had no choice but to throw out and replace household furniture, catching these pests during the early stages will prevent this and keep your home a healthy and happy place to live in!
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