Bedbugs and how to get rid of them

The fear of bedbugs is so widespread that most people get the creeps just thinking about them.

That’s for a good reason—it’s not fun to have bedbugs in your house or hotel room. Eliminating an infestation can be a great pain.

But it’s not insurmountable to solve a bedbug infestation. We’ll discuss how they might enter your house and belongings in the first place, how to identify whether you have a bedbug problem, and what to do if a diagnosis has been made.

Most importantly, we’ll let you know when to bring in the experts and when you can handle the problem on your own.

What brings about bed bugs in the home?

Bedbugs are sociable creatures and congregate in areas with a high population density.

They pierce our skin with tiny, saw-like mouthparts so they may feast on our blood. Additionally, they numb the region while drawing blood by suckling saliva that contains anesthetic and anti-clotting compounds to lessen pain.

Moreover, bedbugs are survivors. They are skilled at jumping into people’s belongings and hanging on for dear life until they find comfy, warm bedding, clothing, or furniture to live in and breed in. They may go up to a year without eating.

We often link them with hotel beds because of this: They are significantly more prevalent in areas where large numbers of people often visit and leave with their possessions in tow. The most typical locations for housing bedbugs include:

Hotels
Hostels
Apartments
Public transit such as buses, trains, taxis, and ride-share vehicles

It makes no difference how clean or dirty your house, motel, or other lodging is. If bedbugs have followed you inside from a location where they were able to access your possessions, they can establish themselves in any area.

They can even withstand pesticides by simply relocating to surrounding regions that have been sprayed or treated.

Where can bedbugs be located?

Though their names suggest otherwise, they are not dumb idlers. They can congregate in a variety of indoor spaces, such as:

Sheets and blankets
Matrasses
Sides of the bed frame
Areas of clutter that are not moved often, such as piles of clothes
Underneath carpets or outer edges
upholstery furniture’s seams
Clothes
Suitcases or other luggage items

Additionally, bedbugs are fast crawlers. They can travel vast distances unhindered over carpet, wood, and tile, moving up to four feet per minute. This enables them to move through entire residences, including large hotels and apartment buildings.

How to get rid of bed bugs

If the infestation isn’t very bad, getting rid of bedbugs isn’t too tough. If you’ve found bedbugs within your home, here are some tips to prevent them from reproducing and taking over your house.

- - Clear away any clutter: Bedbugs will swiftly relocate to a different area where you might be able to get rid of them more simply if they are hiding behind objects in your bedroom or house.
- - Clean regularly: Concentrate on any gaps around your mattress, box spring, or bed frame as well as any fissures close to your carpet or flooring where they might hide or reside. When you’re finished, remove the contents of your hoover to prevent them from coming back out.
- - Use high heat to wash and dry your bedding and clothing: Bedbugs die in high temperatures above 122°F. Wash your linens and clothing in hot water and detergent first. After that, use your dryer’s maximum heat setting to dry them.
- - Freeze bedding or clothing: You can also try freezing your bedding or clothes for a few days, or leaving them outside when the weather dips below freezing, as bedbugs can freeze to death.
- - Use a firm brush to scrub the seams of mattresses: Use this to remove any bugs or eggs that may be hidden in the nooks and crannies of your furniture.

What kills bed bugs?

Professional exterminators are able to use a combination of chemicals, pesticides, and steam or heat treatments to get rid of infestations that have grown out of control.

You can also explore some quick DIY solutions like simple and accessible things you can get easily to tackle the infestation of bed bugs in your home.

There are quick solutions like:

Kerosene
Vinegar
Baking soda
Alcohol
Steam
Essential oils
Steam

When to seek the help of professionals

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If you’ve tried some or all of the above methods and you’re still witnessing bedbug indications, you should think about hiring a pro. Finding every bedbug source in your house may be difficult, but a professional may know just where to search and how to contain the issue.

To fully handle the infestation throughout the entire complex, you might need to collaborate with your landlord or property owner if you reside in an apartment block or other shared living arrangement.

The cost of hiring a professional bedbug exterminator might range from a few thousand naira to two million naira or more. The following elements could influence the cost:

The size of your apartment or property
The extent of the infestation
The size and reputation of the extermination company
The techniques involved in exterminating bed bugs

Advice on how not to bring bed bugs home

These pointers will help you ensure that you never bring any unwanted bedbug companions home.

To keep bedbugs out, get plastic or hypoallergenic furniture, mattresses, and box spring covers.
In motels, hotels, hostels, and shelters, don’t leave your possessions on the flooring.
In a room where you are staying for the first time, look for evidence of bedbugs on the furniture and bedding. If you discover anything, notify the owner of the property straight immediately.
When traveling abroad in particular, use a bed net coated with insecticide to keep bedbugs out of your sleeping quarters.
Before bringing any used furniture or bedding inside, thoroughly inspect it for indications of bedbug infestations if you got it from a friend, family member, or thrift or antique store.
Get rid of any clutter in your house that could attract bedbugs.

Conclusion

Although it is understandable that bedbugs are upsetting, there are several ways to get rid of them. To reduce your chance of exposure, try one or more of these preventative strategies each day. Even with an infestation, you may get rid of the pests permanently with a few DIY remedies or a fast professional service.

Author

Esther Mosunmola

An avid health professional with more than three decades of experience. I love writing and shedding light with my discipline which enables everyone I influence leave a more better and healthier lifestyle. 😊

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