Fast Methods to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

A bedbug is a tiny, brown colored, wingless insect about a half-inch in body length. Bed bugs have a lifespan of up to one year even without feeding on a blood source. Killing bedbugs constitutes a real challenge as these parasites have a tendency to hide in small cracks and crevices. Female bedbugs can lay up to 300 eggs and they hatch within ten days – thus their population grows rapidly. A bed bug’s primary source of nutrition is blood, and they pierce the skin using their beaklike mouths.

With some people bedbug bites do not cause any major skin problems except that their night sleep is disturbed by these pests. But others may experience skin inflammation that develops into a small, swollen, white welt at the bitten area. Many people who have been bitten by bed bugs experience continued itching. Though most bedbug bites are nothing more than annoying, there are rare instances of people contracting asthma, hives, and severe allergies.

As stated earlier, finding bedbugs is a daunting task as you really have to search hard and know what you are looking for before you may find a bed bug. Quite often, evidence of a bed bug is first noticed before tracing the actual bug itself. Brownish spots on bed sheets and mattresses caused by a crushed bug or a bug’s fecal matter may be the first sign that a bed bug infestation is present.

Bed bugs mostly dwell in the crevices and cracks of mattresses, chairs, and sofas as they prefer wood and fabric rather than plastic and metal. If you are unsure whether you have bed bugs, there are many bed bug exterminators who can be hired for a professional inspection.

Preventing an infestation is the best form of bed bug control. If you think you are bothered by bedbugs, it is best to completely clear your home of these pests. Furniture, luggage, bedding and clothes should be the first places you will have to look for bed bugs. All clothes, linens, and bedding should be washed in hot water, and the immediate area vacuumed thoroughly.

To kill and eliminate bedbugs, there are several known methods – from the use of environmentally friendly non-toxic bed bug insecticide to something as simple as heat and steam. Insecticides are not an option to get rid of bed bugs, because insecticides should never be applied to an area where you sleep. Some insecticides like Boric Acid might be used in areas around the bed, but never on the mattress itself.

But, according to scientific reports, diatomaceous earth has been proven to be an extremely effective bed bug killer for the home environment. This insecticide is both environment-friendly and non-toxic.

Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to find all bed bugs and bed bug eggs and that is the reason why the best method of removing bed bugs, will be to request the services of a professionally managed pest control company.

When choosing a professional bed bug exterminator, you should be selective as many companies that only specialize in killing bedbugs may not be qualified as full-service pest control companies. Your best bet is to identify a reputed pest control service company that has been in service for at least five years and are fully bonded, insured, certified and licensed by the Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection.