According to scientific research, there has been substantial growth in the number of bed bug infestations in recent decades, resulting in clinical and control issues. And this increase in inflation is currently a global occurrence, with pests, especially bed bugs, increasing in the Americas, Australia, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Bed Bugs: Clinical Relevance and Control Options 

Bed bugs may cause mental health issues in some people!

Many reports of bed bugs influencing people’s mental health. But, these are primarily mere speculation. Since there are many effects based on opinion polls and some independent research.

And based on those polls and research, these effects include: tiredness, anguish, great pity, anxiousness, social isolation and stigma, desperation, and annoyance are among the identified psychological impacts. Perron S  

Furthermore, a 2009 survey of 474 people with confirmed bed insect infestations in the United States found that 22% of those polled experienced “mental trauma,” 20% felt “nervousness,” and 14% encountered “anxiety.” The Sensitivity Spectrum: Human Reactions to Bed Bug Bites

What exactly are bed bugs?

The widespread bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a blood-feeding insect. And you can find them close to sleeping areas in mattress seams, box spring seams, cracks, and crevices in bed frames. In addition, they distribute themselves in vast gouges underneath floorboards, portraits hanging on the wall, other home decors, and electrical outlets. 

Imagine how close you are to some of the most notorious pests! 

Therefore, sometimes, controlling them can be frustrating and time-consuming and it gets even more daunting  when you as a house owner do not have either enough resources or knowledge to control and deal with bed bugs.

Furthermore, it gets even more complicated when they may access a household through used furniture, clothing, or other items. Because, in such a case you are losing both your home hygiene as well as your stuff. 

How severe can bed bugs be?

Since it’s no wonder that these little scumbags can wreak chaos in your household. As, they could indeed end up leaving crimson, pruritic blisters all over your skin if they’re in a mattress with you. Cringe!

Luckily, you can control bedbugs if you listen to what experts have to say. Hence, first thing first, be cautious, as getting rid of bedbugs could perhaps start taking some effort and time. If you have a significant infection, you may have to try a few different pesticides and non-chemical techniques to eradicate these little monsters. Unfortunately, there are specific aspects that make bed bug removal more complicated. 

Especially, If you have much unnecessary stuff in your household or if you frequently travel and bring fresh bedbugs back home with you in your suitcases.

That said, you may have a more challenging time getting rid of them. But, this blog contains expert views and tested methods for you to control bed bugs. Did you know? Bedbugs understand where and how to conceal to avoid detection, can go months without eating, and a healthy female can lay 500 eggs in her entire life.

Can bed bugs spread disease?

Although bed bugs do not cause significant diseases, they cause psychological, social, and financial problems, needless to mention individual frustration because their bites are pain-free and typically occur in the dark when you are sleeping.

Moreover, bed bugs would then nourish for 3 to 10 minutes before lying face down to a protected crevice. Aside from that, those who would then start biting everywhere on the skin, especially on exposed parts like the face, neck, arms, and hands. In addition, a few people never feel any pain when bugs bite them, and others have an allergic response. It may create painful redness and swell similar to mosquito or flea bites. In brief, to prevent a supplementary infection, fight the temptation to destroy the edges for up to two weeks before they cure. There is any way to limit the risk of contamination, wash the bites with water and soap.

How can you keep a bed bug infestation?

Bring infested objects into your household in your danger. Within a week of bringing new or used decor inside, it is crucial to inspect tight spaces along seams, around buttons, and under pillows. So, before actually unwrapping when planning to travel, look for signs of bed bugs, including such fecal matter spots on mattresses.

What do bed bugs look like?

The bodies of bed bugs are small, flat, and oval in shape. They lack wings. Adults have wing pads, which are the remnants of wings that do not fully develop into functional wings. Speaking of grown-up bed bugs, they tend to be wingless dark red pests about the size of an apple seed (1/4 – 3/8-inch long).

They are plain when seen from the side, enabling them to match into these tiny rooms. Apart from that, n Freshly born bugs are light-skinned or yellow and appear similar to adults but smaller. In a nutshell, Bed bug eggs are white, about the size of a pinhead (1/10-inch long), and discovered in nooks and crannies in clusters of 10-50 eggs.

What are the signs of bed bug bites?

Bed bugs can bite anywhere there is skin on the body. And their bites typically occur in areas exposed while sleeping, such as neck, face, hands, shoulders, arms, legs, etc. Since many people won’t feel the bite or develop any signs other than the dots. The bug bit people and some slight, bordering irritation and inflammation. Others are overly sensitive to tastes and encounter more severe symptoms.

In most instances, if not all, initial symptoms show briefly after the sting, but they can develop or advance over the next few days as well. Hence, signs usually disappear within a week or so when there is not much further irritation. Almost everything bed bug bites cause pain, typically in the shape of itchy skin and inflammation. 

Note: 

There is no significant scientific study that I can use as a benchmark for a universal claim. Because these problems are subject to some people, not everybody. 

Bed bug bites can also cause multiple symptoms:

• Burning over skin
• A red itchy crimson tickly bulge with a dark core 
• Tiny red bumps or welts in a zigzag or line pattern
• Small red bumps encased in blisters or hives
• Pustular eruptions or areas of skin with raised or flat, possibly inflamed patches
• Small blood spots from bites are frequently dried or stained onto sheets or bed clothing
• Reddish or reddish-brown dried stains on fabrics caused by bed bug droppings
• Skins that are white or clear and are shed by nymphs as they mature.

Infestation areas of bed bugs?

Have you ever encountered a day when you wake up with itchy areas where you did not have them when you went to bed? On top of that, you may well have bed bugs, mainly if you bought a second-hand or counterfeit bed or another used decor, all-around time the bites started. Other hints that you have bedbugs are:

• Blemishes from blood on your sheets or pillowcases
• Places of dark or rusty bedbug excrement on sheets and mattresses, bedclothes, and walls
• In regions where bedbugs hide, look for fecal spots, eggshells, or shed skins.
• The aromatic glands of the bugs emit an offensive, musty odor.

Unless you assume an infection, eliminate all bedsheets and thoroughly inspect them for signs of the bugs or their excretions. Investigate the stitching in the timber construction by removing the dust cover from the underside of the futon mattress. Eliminate the mainstays that retain the cloth to the timber frame.

Analyze the area around the bed, including inside books, cell phones, or radio equipment, the carpet’s corner, and even power outlets. In addition, bedbugs can attach to clothing, so verify your closet. Furthermore, If you are uncertain regarding bedbug indications, contact a pest control company who will know what to look for.

How do you get bed bugs?

Although there are many sources of bed bugs, let’s discuss the most common ones. First and foremost, you can carry bed bugs from other contaminated areas or used home furnishings, that is for sure!

Additionally, they can get into luggage, purses, backpacks, and other items that are placed on soft or upholstered surfaces. Even more, they can start moving among rooms in multi-unit buildings like apartment buildings and hotels.

Because bed bugs could be discovered in any location where people gather and spend extended periods, it is crucial to watch for them when using public transportation or sitting in public spaces such as libraries. Further, you have to ensure your safety, especially your luggage, when staying in hotel rooms. How can you do that? 

There are two easy ways. First, the hotel rooms. How can you do that? There are three significant precautions for prevention that I would highly recommend.

First, please examine the bed sheets for blood spots or sightings of bugs or eggshells. Besides, ensure visual inspections with the help of a handy small flashlight. Last but not least, because bed bugs can make the journey easier, when you return from a vacation, make sure to vacuum your luggage and investigate for any indications of bed bugs.

How to identify & control bed bugs?

Tiny, whitish shed skins and rusty spots on bed linens caused by crushed bugs’ droppings and bloodstains Whatever size of a live bed bug. Eggs and casings are found between many excrements or in crevices in which adults conceal themself. When bed bugs are infested, they emit an uncomfortable, sweet, musty smell.

Bed bugs identification keynotes:

• Eggs are tiny, white objects that are glued to surfaces.
• Nymphs are light in color, starting at 1/16th”.
• Adults are rusty red and 3/8″ in size, resembling apple seeds.
• Six oval legs that are flattened from top to bottom.
• They tend to congregate in groups.
• They can go for months without eating blood.
• Important: Before taking any further action, capture several examples of the pest and have them identified by a qualified expert.

Inspection and monitoring of bed bugs in your house: common sites:

Although you can easily spot bed bugs in the seams of the bed, however, the effort it takes is time-consuming. So, please be patient while working on this solution.

Besides, you can also find bed bugs in cracks and crevices and under mattresses and box springs. And when you do find them, use whatever solution you have in the form of chemicals to kill them. In addition, here is the most common site you can inspect bed bugs at:

• Chairs and couches, between cushions, and between curtain folds.
• In the drawer joints
• In receptacles and appliances that use electricity.
• Underneath stray wallpaper and wall hangings
• Even in a screw’s head.

How to implement a strategy to wipe bed bugs out from your house?

According to experts, you as homeowners can take a series of careful steps to control bed bugs from overstaying at your house once they have already created havoc!

That said, I will list some of the most valuable and practical solutions that are easy to implement. Luckily, these methods will work for any location of your property and can prevent any amount of bed bugs activity. 

• Vacuuming helps to reduce bed bug populations.
• Clean and vacuum bed bug-infested areas daily.
• The vacuum bag should be sealed and discarded right away.
• Install mattress and box spring encasements.
• Install bed bug interceptors beneath the bed and on the legs of furniture.
• Make your bed into an island: Keep the bed away from the wall and avoid letting the bedding touch the floor.
• Remove any clutter that may provide a hiding place for bed bugs.
• Isolate infested items in plastic bags or containers that have been sealed. 
• Items should be dried in a hot dryer for 30 minutes.
• Use detergent to clean and scrub seams and folds.
• Seal any cracks where bed bugs might hide.