Question By: Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that live on the blood of animals or humans. Adult bedbugs have flat bodies about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, however, their bodies swell and are a reddish color.
Where to find them:
Sometimes, you may not see the bugs themselves, but instead the remains they leave behind. This includes:
• Red or rust-colored stains on bedsheets or mattress due to the bedbugs being crushed
• Bedbug poop, which looks like dark dots that may appear blurry
• Small eggs or shells of eggs
You may spot these remains when cleaning or changing bedding. Bedbugs can hide virtually anywhere that’s large enough to fit a credit card. Therefore, you can find them not only in a bed, but also:
• In curtain folds
• In drawer joints
• Under loose wallpaper
• In chair seams
When Bedbugs Bite:
Bedbugs are active mainly at night and usually bite people while they are sleeping. They feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood through an elongated beak. The bugs feed from three to 10 minutes to become engorged and then crawl away unnoticed.
Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later turn into itchy welts. Unlike flea bites that are mainly around the ankles, bedbug bites are on any area of skin exposed while sleeping. Also, the bites do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites do.
People who don't realize they have a bedbug infestation may attribute the itching and welts to other causes, such as mosquitoes. To confirm bedbug bites, you must find and identify the bugs themselves.
Bedbug Treatments:
Getting rid of bedbugs begins with cleaning up the places where bedbugs live. This should include the following:
• Clean your fabrics in hot water and dry on high heat. This includes bedding, curtains, clothing, and linens. If you have items that you cannot wash but can place in the dryer on high heat, do that as well.
• Get rid of clutter around your bed.
• Scrub and vacuum mattress to remove eggs.
• Vacuum your bed and surrounding area regularly. Immediately remove the vacuum cleaner bag, place it in a plastic bag, and place it outside.
Bedbug Extermination:
While cleaning up infested areas will be helpful in controlling bedbugs, getting rid of them usually requires chemical treatments. Because treating your bed and bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, it is important to use products that can be used safely in bedrooms. Do not treat mattresses and bedding unless the label specifically says you can use them on bedding.
Generally it is safest and most effective to hire an experienced pest control professional for bedbug extermination.
Contact Flick to schedule an inspection and treatment, so we can help you fix your bed bug problem for good!
For more information, visit https://www.flick.com.au/blog/what-to-do-if-you-find-bed-bugs-2/
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