Bed Bugs and How to Get Rid of Them

Bed bugs are light brown to reddish brown parasitic insects that feed on blood to survive. The animal got its name because of its favorite habitat, which is on the bed and places where people rest or sleep. To extract blood from its victim the bed bug bites and then suck, feeding mostly on humans when other prey are not accessible. This action of biting can lead to different kinds of negative health effects like allergies, rashes and psychological effects. Bed bug carry up to 28 pathogens, but there is no evidence they can transmit them to humans.

There are many early signs of bed bugs infestation that every home owner must be aware of, in other to be able to control it on time. Bed bugs enter the home through used couches and beds, and undetected textiles, clothing and other materials. Their initial hiding places are headboards, mattresses, bed frames and box springs where they can have quick access to their human preys.

But they later move to protected locations and other places in the bedroom. Bed bugs operate mostly in the night when you’re asleep. At first the bite is painless, but will later result into itchy welts. Obvious signs of bed bugs infestation are bed bug shed skins, eggs and dark excrement on sheets, walls and bed clothes.

There is no need to call the exterminator as there are several home remedies you can implement to get rid of the insects. Washing your mattresses, bed clothes, pillows and bed sheets in hot water will not only eliminate the bed bugs but also kill their eggs. You can also dry heat any item you suspect is serving as their hiding place in the dryer for about five minutes to roast them to death. Putting infected items in the hot sun or rubbing them with alcohol will also help destroy the bed bugs for good.

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