Bed bugs are small, oval insects that live on the blood of humans and animals. They also feed on bats, birds and rodents. Bed bugs can’t fly, but they can move quickly across walls, ceilings and floors. Bed bugs can be found in dorms, homes, hotels and shelters.
Even an immaculate home can be susceptible to the increasingly growing problem of bed bugs. People can bring bed bugs home through clothes or by luggage. These bugs can be found in loose wallpaper, behind pictures frames, in mattress seams or inside furniture.
Bed bugs are mainly active at night, and can live up to one year without drinking any blood. Bed bugs aren’t know for carrying any diseases, but can affect a person’s quality of life. Having a home infested with bed bugs can cause anxiety, embarrassment and discomfort.
Bed Bug Reproduction
Female bed bugs lay approximately five eggs each day, and 500 eggs over their lifetime. The milky-white eggs that a female bed bug lays are visible to the naked eye. These eggs take approximately two weeks to hatch. The baby bed bugs start feeding immediately after they hatch.
Each bug needs to go through five moulting stages. Once the baby bed bug goes through these stages, they reach maturity. The baby bed bug needs to feed at least once during each stage. It takes approximately five weeks for a baby bed bug to reach maturity. Once the bed bug reaches maturity, they can reproduce.
Bed Bug Inspection and Bites
Bites on the body are the most common indication that a person’s home may be infested with bed bugs. These bites usually turn into itchy welts, and are often located on the neck, arms, back, legs or hands. Bed bug bites are usually found in clusters or lines on a specific area of the skin.
If a person has bites, they will need to thoroughly inspect clothes, bedding, furniture, molding, drawers and all cracks for bugs, fecal spots, cast skins or eggs. A noticeable musty, offensive odor is another indication that there may be bed bugs present.
A person should also inspect rugs, window and door frames, baseboards and ceiling moldings. Check pet beds and all areas where they rest for any signs of bed bugs.
The best time to check for bugs is at night when they are most visible. A visual inspection is necessary in detecting bed bugs. Not all bed bugs need to be found in order to successfully eliminate the infestation.
Bed Bug Bite Treatments
Most bed bug bites can be treated with a topical cream that can be found at any drug store. The bites usually disappear after one to two weeks. If possible, try not to scratch the bite. Excess scratching can leave scarring, and make the bite vulnerable to infection.
If the bed bug bites get infected, consulting with a doctor may be necessary. A doctor can prescribe an oral antibiotic to help clear up the infection. A person who is susceptible to allergies may have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites. In this case, a person may need to take an antihistamine.
Once the bites are taken care of, it is time to locate and get rid of the infestation of bed bugs.
Sanitation
The first step in eliminating bed bugs is to sanitize the areas where the bed bugs were found. Vacuum the bed, rugs, walls, woodwork and curtains. Once the vacuuming is done, immediately remove the bag and wrap it in plastic. Throw the bag outside in the trash. This will keep the bed bugs from escaping back into the inside of the house.
Use a heavy duty brush to scrub all sides of the mattress and box springs. Repair cracks and reapply glue to loose wallpaper. Steam cleaning a mattress is not recommended because it is hard to remove all the moisture, which can lead to problems with mildew or dust mites.
A person can get rid of their old mattress, but a new mattress can quickly be infested if there are bed bugs still remaining in the house. Wash all bedding and clothes in the hottest water. Dry clothing, bedding, curtains and other items in a hot dryer.
Product Options, Methods and Cost for Eliminating Bed Bugs
There are many products and methods that can help to eliminate an infestation of bed bugs. There are monitors that can catch bed bugs, but they don’t eliminate or control the infestation.
Steaming the infested areas can help rid a house of bed bugs. If a person hires a professional team to steam the area infested with bed bugs, it can range in price from $500 to $1500.
Thermal redemption using heat is a very costly bed bug removal method. This is a good option for a person who has a cluttered home where preparation may be a struggle.
Bed bug detecting canines can be used for large areas that are suspected of being infested with bed bugs. This method costs thousands of dollars for each day the canines are used.
Pesticides vary in price and effectiveness, and are used along with other methods. Bed bug powder is another product option for eliminating bed bugs. Most powders are non-toxic, effective and affordable. If the infestation is moderate, bed bug powder may be all that is needed to eliminate the bugs.
Bed Bug Powder
One of the safest products to use is bed bug powder. Most powders are non-toxic and are harmless to humans and pets, but deadly to bed bugs. Always read the label to make sure the powder is non-toxic and safe to use on beds, furniture and rugs.
Bed bug powder is simple to use. The powder just needs to make contact to eliminate the bugs, while other options need to be consumed. It works by covering the exterior of the bug, which eventually kills them by dehydration.
Affordable Cost
Bed bug powder is one of the safest and affordable solutions for getting rid of bed bugs. It eliminates the problem without being subjected to chemicals that can be found in other products.
Bed bug powder is available in many strengths and sizes, and can be purchased for under $10. The cost of the powder will depend on the amount needed to eliminate the bug infested area. The only time it may be helpful to get a professional involved in eliminating bud bugs is if there is a large infestation of bugs throughout the house.
Many bed bug sprays and liquids dry up after a few hours. Bed bug powder doesn’t wear out and can be effective for many weeks or even months. One bottle of powder should be enough for a few weeks of treatments to one room.
Eliminate Bed Bugs by Using a Cleaning and Powder Treatment
Once it has been confirmed that there is a bed bug infestation, the process of eliminating the bugs with a cleaning and powder treatment begins. Wash sheets, clothing, and any items that may have come in contact with the bed bugs in hot water. Thoroughly dry the items in a hot dryer. Steam clean or wash the rugs, bed, woodwork, and any areas where the infestation of the bed bugs were spotted using hot water and a little soap.
Safety Preparation
Once all the areas and items are cleaned and dried, prepare for the powder treatment by putting on gloves, and wearing a dust mask and protective goggles. The bed bug powder can be dusty, especially if it is being used in a large area. The dust may irritate the eyes and throat. These protective items should also be worn before applying any other types of bed bug products or treatments.
Applying the Powder
Sprinkle the powder under the sheets, in between the mattresses, and in any areas where bed bugs may have been spotted. Sprinkle the powder on rugs, under and around the feet of the bed, and in any cracks and crevices. Bed bugs are thin and are known for hiding in small areas.
Carefully spread the powder in exposed cracks and crevices using a small paint brush. Make sure to spread the powder in an even, thin layer. Use a small broom or brush to spread the powder in larger areas. If the powder is left in clumps, bed bugs may avoid the area.
Time Frame for Treatment
Bed bug powder and other methods used to eliminate the bugs may need to be applied to the areas for approximately a few weeks in order to fully eradicate the infestation. The amount of treatments needed will depend on the severity of infestation. The combination of thorough cleaning and bed bug powder will help to ensure that the areas previously infested remain bed bug free.
Bed Bug Powder Used With Spray
Bed bug powder and spray also work well together in combating an infestation. If possible, make sure both products are non-toxic and safe to use on mattresses, rugs and furniture. The advantage of these combined products are almost guaranteed to eliminate the infestation of bed bugs, and keep them from coming back.
Make sure to wear protective gear before applying these products. Spray the infested areas and all cracks and crevices first, then sprinkle theses areas with bed bug powder. The powder works mechanically, while the spray works chemically. Wait approximately 45 minutes before vacuuming the areas. The bed bugs usually die after a few days.
Eliminate the Recurrence of Bed Bugs
Once a person has eliminated a bed bug infestation, the last thing they want is a recurrence. If there are high-risk parts of the home where bed bugs once resided, make sure to check these areas at least once a month.
Check all surrounding areas where the bed bugs were previously found. If bed bugs are spotted, start cleaning the area with hot water immediately. After the spaces are cleaned, sprinkle the areas with bed bug powder. Often, finding only a couple of bed bugs means that it is moderately infested and easier to treat.
Another option is to place monitors in areas of the home that were known to be previously infested with bed bugs. Monitors that use carbon monoxide, heat or a chemical lure can be quite effective but costly.
Preventing Bed Bugs from the Get-Go
Laundering clothing, bedding and drapes in hot water is considered one of the best ways to keep bed bugs away. If you are buying used furniture, have an expert check the pieces for bed bugs before bringing them into your home.
Cover mattresses and box springs with plastic covers. This will seal the mattress and box springs to prevent bed bugs from getting in. If there are any bed bugs, the cover will trap them.
If a person does a lot of traveling, check the crevices of the hotel room for bugs. Place suitcases on a table or counter, and keep them off the hotel floor.
