“Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Many people will tell this to their children when tucking them in at night, and for most, it’s just a fun expression to help the child sleep better. However, bed bugs are very real. They haven’t always been a problem in the US, but recently bed bugs have become a major nuisance in society.
What are bed bugs?
Though their name doesn’t sound real, bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on animal and human blood. They are only about a half a centimeter long, which is about the size of a match head. They are reddish-brown in color, but can be hard to detect because of their small size. Bed bugs can be extremely irritating, and can leave red, raised bumps on your skin. Fortunately, they don’t carry or transmit diseases.
Even though bed bugs don’t pose a serious threat, they are very annoying to deal with. They will bite any exposed area of your body while you are sleeping, which will leave your face and arms covered in itchy bumps. Sometimes the itch may not go away for a few weeks. The bumps may not show up immediately, and could take a few days to appear. Similar to other bug bites, scratching will only cause them to get worse. If they become inflamed, it could mean they are infected. This would require you to seek medical attention.
Where are bed bugs found?
Bed bugs get their name because they are frequently found in beds, but this isn’t the only place they hide. Bed bugs can be found in any upholstered furniture, along with any type of clothing. They will even hangout on your backpacks or luggage, and follow you outside of your home. Bed bugs will also hide in nightstands, baseboards and any cracks in the walls or floors. Basically, bed bugs can be found in nearly every room of your home.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
Keeping your house clean on a regular basis will diminish the amount of bed bugs in your home, and vacuuming everything on a daily basis will help. This includes vacuuming any cracks and crevices in your walls. After you have effectively vacuumed the entire house, dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in an outside trash can. Bed bugs can easily climb their way out of the bag, so avoid another infestation by disposing of it outside your home.
Wash your clothes and sheets in hot water that is at least 120 degrees. This will kill any bed bugs that latched themselves onto your clothing. Dry all the items on the hottest setting for at least 20 minutes, which should effectively kill all the bed bugs. For items that shouldn’t go in the washing machine, just putting them in the dryer will be as effective.
In cases of bad infestations, you may have to get rid of your mattresses and other furniture. When you do this, take them as far away from your house as possible to avoid them coming back in. Take these items to a dump instead of leaving them on your curb.
The most effective and sure fire way to get rid of the bed bugs is to hire a Las Vegas exterminator. The experts at R & C Pest Control are dedicated to making your home pest-free. If you have an exterminator come to your home on a regular basis, the bed bugs shouldn’t return. For more information about Las Vegas pest control services, contact 702.257.2847.