Bed Bug Bites: Bugged And Bitten

Know your enemy the cause of bed bug bites are Scientifically known as “Cimes lectularius”, bed bugs are tiny, wingless insects that can be found anyplace in the world. Bed bugs operate similarly to nocturnal parasites meaning they are active in finding human hosts during the night and are normally asleep during the day. They locate themselves in on mattresses and bedding where they can easily find a host for food.

Bed bug bites are formed by the bugs using their highly developed mouths and they normally attack when the person in the bed is sound asleep. The parts of the mouth include an elongated beak that can easily puncture the skin and suck blood. The engorgement period only takes a short period to complete, finishing in less than a minute to lasting for as long as three minutes. However, bed bug bites are painless and the human host will only be able to determine that he has been bitten long after the bed bug has completed it’s meal.

A bed with many rips and tears may be extremely uncomfortable for the person sleeping on it but it is an excellent hiding place for bed bugs. Bed bugs are not picky on where they stay as long as they have a host to bite. Bed bugs can survive in sleeping bags, egg foam, cardboard stacks or even water beds. Water beds have nooks and crannies and are normally warm, which is preferred by bed bugs.

Are They Bed Bug Bites?

You know you have bed bug bites if you see large welts. These welts in time become a small red mark that last for a few days. The bed bug bites are also made in orderly rows unlike the random pattern made by mosquitoesand could become itchy. The really bad beg bug bites are those that become swollen and form blisters or even those that result in loss of skin tissue and scab over.

It is interesting to note that not all bites or all bite-like reactions are caused by bed bugs. Those with bites should try to locate the bugs themselves or consult a specialist. Those bitten shouldn’t be too worried about getting any dangerous disease from bed bug bites. The medical significance of bed bug bites is limited mainly to inflammation and itching.

Washing the bed bug bites with soap and water is the proper way treat the bites. Various anti-itch creams are available commercially to treat bites. Scratching the affected area will surely make it worse, this can result in an infection. Using an icepack can also minimize swelling. If the pain gets to intense, taking a prescribed pain-killer will help.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs.

DDT was used in the 40’s and 50’s to get rid of bed bugs but it was banned because of the possible complications it might cause to humans. Available treatments today are more focused and prudent. Inspecting for a bed bug infestation can usually take a few hours.

Homeowners that hire professionals to get rid of their bed bug bites problem should complete certain procedures before their home is treated. Clothing or bedding that is badly infested should be discarded, as they can’t be sprayed with insecticides. Reducing clutter is required. Cluttered rooms will only slowdown inspection and treatment.

Bed bugs cannot survive temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, while freezing small items is possible it would not be possible to freeze rooms or large items. Exterminators normally use a wide variety of aerosols, low-odor sprays and dusts.

Prevent Bed Bug Bites.

Maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness will help in avoiding bed bug bites. Hygiene and cleanliness alone will not prevent bed bugs, bud bugs can survive in clean rooms as easily as dirty rooms. What hygiene and cleanliness do is keep the hiding places to a minimum by reducing clutter.

Bed sheets should be changed at least once a week and floors especially those carpeted need to be vacuumed frequently, this will reduce the number of eggs available to hatch. If possible, locate the home of the bedbugs and spray it with a special insecticide to kill a considerable number of these unwanted visitors and get rid of the bed bug bites. 

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