Bed Bug Bites
- 2019-09-23
- By
- Posted in Bed Bugs
5 Guaranteed Ways to Help Prevent Bed Bug Bites and Infestations
Bed Bug Bites and Infestations
Have you ever woken up and noticed red dotted stains on your bedsheets? Or smeared shells and flakes of brown skin littering your mattress? If the answer is yes, chances are you’ve become a victim of bed bug bites and infestation.
At this point, you’re probably thinking of exterminating your entire house but don’t worry; you won’t have to take it this far. Fortunately, bed bugs aren’t going to cause you too much discomfort, and they only pose threats to your hygiene and comfort.
In this article, we’re going to be looking at 5 of the most effective ways to identify, exterminate and prevent any further bed bug infestations. Take a look below at our tips:
Identifying Bed Bug Traces
The most crucial step to ridding and preventing future bed bug infestations is knowing how to identify them! People often confuse bed bug bites for mosquito bites or flea bites, so many bed bug infestations often go unnoticed due to misdiagnosis.
One way to identify bed bug bites is by a slightly more burning sensation a few days after the bite. Of course, this may still be difficult to separate from a mosquito bite, so if that doesn’t solve your problem, check if your bite marks are grouped or follow a line pattern. Bed bugs usually focus on one area as a group, whereas fleas and mosquitoes work alone for the most part.
Additionally, do not scratch them! This may go without saying, but constant scratching will aggravate the bite, and in severe cases, this could lead to infection.
Why You Might Think You Haven’t Been Bitten
One of the problems with being bitten by bed bugs is that they’re painless, so you won’t notice them sucking on your blood during the night. They do this by injecting a solution that acts as an anesthetic before they begin feeding. In fact, they can actually feed on your skin for up to 10 minutes at a time!
While it is rare, discomfort can occur if you are allergic to their bites. If you do discover that you are allergic, it’s strongly recommended that you visit your nearest GP.
Knowing When You Have a Bed Bug Infestation
The difficulty with identifying bed bugs is that sometimes they make it very clear they’ve infested your property, and other times you won’t even notice they’re there. The most obvious signs are their carcasses littering your bed, alongside smears of blood and excrement. If you’re under the impression you’ve suffered a bed bug infestation, be sure to check for their remains in the hot-spots below:
- Furniture (sofas, beds, chairs)
- Carpets
- Curtains
- Towels
- Wallpaper cracks
Despite their name suggesting they primarily infiltrate your beds, bed bugs will set up camp anywhere that’s warm and dark. This is why it’s important to keep on top of your house cleaning!
Preventing Bed Bugs
Prevention will always be better than a cure, so it’s important to understand how to deter bed bugs from infesting your property before it’s too late. A common misconception surrounding bed bugs removal is that you don’t have to go around spraying all your furniture and bedding with chemicals. You might even find that this does more harm than good.
Instead, ensure that you wash your bed linen once a week on the hottest setting. Bed bugs won’t be able to survive the high temperatures. If you do discover bed bugs and you’re having trouble riding them, you find it useful to opt for professional mattress cleaning services, as this is a specialized service dedicated to ensuring your mattress is cleaned to the highest possible standard.
If you discover that your bed bug problem has spread to more than just your bed, (furniture, walls, carpets, etc) then your next step would be to seek out a professional pest control company. They will be able to accurately assess your situation and act accordingly.
Keeping a clean and hygienic house is the most effective way of deterring bed bugs. They’re attracted to dark, warm and unkempt areas. So be sure to keep on top of your house cleaning!
If All Else Fails, Turn to Professional Service!
As mentioned in the previous point, professional services are never far away, and you can rest assured that once you opt for this option, your property will be bed bug-proofed! Seeking-out professional services may also be required if you do not have the experience or the knowledge to effectively solve the issue. Additionally, your infestation may have grown beyond the point of where home remedies and DIY concepts do not work.
There we have it! Hopefully, this guide has put your mind at rest regarding bed bug infestations. It’s important to remember that while they are unsightly and uncomfortable to live with, they pose no direct threat to your health (unless you are allergic) and can easily be removed with the right methods and knowledge. If you do find yourself suffering from an infestation, do not hesitate to call us on 1-800-634-1313 or visit Insect Free.
