subject: What You Need To Do If You Suspect You Have Bed Bugs [print this page] Are you worried you have bed bugs in your bed? Not sure what to look for or how to go about getting rid of them? Here's a little basic information on the parasitic insects to get you started.
These bugs are parasitic insects that love to feed on human blood. They're mainly nocturnal, and so human beds are the perfect place for them to make a home. They're also quite elusive, so you may have trouble recognizing the problem, especially because half the time victims don't even show signs of being bitten.
Those that do show, however, can vary greatly in size of the marks, redness, and itchiness. And since everyone reacts differently, even if you share the same bed as someone that shows no signs whatsoever of being bitten while you yourself are suffering, it doesn't mean that you don't have an infestation. It may just be that only one of you are reacting to it.
Interestingly enough, bed bugs aren't like other bug infestations such as ants, termites, or fleas, because for many decades they were almost completely eradicated from developed countries by the use of DDT. Now that using DDT is no longer an option, they're starting to surge again. But because pest exterminators don't have practice with these insects as much as they do with other things that have always been a problem, there are no tried and true methods for exterminating them.
If you're worried you have an infestation, you might want to start by cleaning out the suspected infected areas. Try not to move clothing or other items from the room to other parts of your house, as that may only spread the infection. But make sure to wash your clothes and sheets in the hottest water possible and throw them in a hot dryer as well to kill off as many of the insects as possible, and be very meticulous about your vacuuming.
If you think you have a problem, call in professional pest exterminators to take a look at your house. Pest control may use sprays, dusts, or other kinds of poisons in your bedroom to help you eradicate the problem. Ask them for advice on how you can prevent the bugs from coming back, and whether you should vacuum after the exterminators have gone, or if that will just destroy the dusts they've left out.
It may be difficult to confirm that what's causing your mysterious itch is in fact bed bugs, but once you do that, be sure to do everything you can to clean out your rooms and use professional help so the outbreaks won't harm you and your loved ones any longer.
