How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
WouterIf you have a bed bug infestation, it is essential that you find the source of the infestation immediately. A common source of bed bugs is upholstered furniture, such as sofas and recliners. These types of furniture should be checked carefully along seams and folds to ensure that they don’t harbour bed bugs.
Before attempting to treat a bed bug infestation, it is important to thoroughly examine and remove the infected items. Some of these may be very heavily infested and contain hard-to-reach bugs. If possible, place the discarded items in plastic bags or place them in an outdoor garbage bin.
In addition to the bed bug’s bites, you may see stains on your sheets and clothing. This is caused by the bug’s blood-sucking ability. Bed bugs usually feed during the night. They feed for three to ten minutes and then crawl away unnoticed. Fortunately, they won’t spread any disease unless you’re infected.
During their life cycle, female bed bugs lay eggs in secluded locations. They deposit one to two eggs a day and will lay hundreds over the course of their lifetime. Their eggs look like tiny white dust spec and are sticky. The eggs hatch in a week at room temperature. The newly emerged bed bug nymphs are about the size of a pinhead. During this time, they shed their skins five times before they reach maturity.
The best way to get rid of a bed bug infestation is to hire an exterminator. They are not likely to spread disease, but they can be a nuisance for the people who are infested. Professional extermination is essential to prevent a bedbug infestation and to avoid spreading them to other parts of the house.
