Bed bugs are very easy to spread, regardless of whether the environment is dirty or clean. This pest more often keep quiet in accommodation that is often occupied for a short time by person-different people, like lodging or public seating. The good news is, there is a surefire way to get rid of bed bugs. Check out the various ways to get rid of bed bugs and detect their presence.
Bed bugs or bedbugs another name Cimex lectularius are blood-sucking insects that are attracted to body heat. As they are called, they can live in between mattresses and crawl on your skin while you sleep to suck blood, like mosquitoes. The difference is, the shape of bed bug bites generally resembles a straight line.
Impact of Bites and Risk Factors for Bed Lice
Before discussing further about how to get rid of bed bugs, it is important that you look at what and how bed bug bites affect and the risk factors for bed bug bites.
Generally, these animals measure approximately 5 mm, oval and flat, with brown, red, or dark yellow in color. In addition, these animals can even live without food for months. Bed bugs can live in hot and humid environments, down to room temperatures as low as around 7 degrees Celsius.
A person who is bitten by bed bugs can develop a reddish itchy rash, 15-30 minutes after being bitten. Usually this rash appears on the arms, hands, neck, and face. But some people may not feel anything after being bitten by bed bugs. Meanwhile, others may experience more severe disturbances, such as swelling, to allergic reactions.
The people most at risk for bed bug bites are those who travel a lot and share bedroom areas with other residents. Bed bugs can even be found in star-rated hotel rooms and resorts. Although it can leave itchy marks, the good news is that bed bugs generally do not carry dangerous diseases.
How to detect bed bugs
Once in a room, bed bugs can move quickly from room to room. Fleas can also stick to objects that are moved, so they will eventually be carried to other places. Now, The right way to get rid of bed bugs is to immediately clean the bed and mattress in the room so they don't become a nest of fleas. Here's how to detect the presence of bed bugs:
- Bed bugs can be seen if you look closely at the surface of the mattress with a flashlight.
- The black spots on the sheets could be the dried bed bug feces.
- Bed bugs may have shed their shells between the mattress or mattress.
- Bed bugs can give off an unpleasant musty odor if disturbed.
- In addition to mattresses, bed bugs can also be found on furniture around the bed, such as wooden cabinets, the back of a mirror, or carpet.
How to get rid of bed bugs and prevent them from multiplying
In addition to detecting their presence, how to eradicate bed bugs which is also important is to handle and prevent the spread and proliferation of bed bugs. Here are the ways:
- Wash bed linen regularly with warm water and dry in the sun.
- Dry the mattress regularly under the hot sun.
- Use a special spray insecticide to eradicate bed bugs, but don't forget to read the instructions for use first. Also note that spraying too much insecticide will actually make the ticks resistant to the insecticide.
- Use vacuum cleaner to remove any bed bugs that may be present. To make it cleaner, you can brush the mattress before using vacuum cleaners.
- Remove trash from vacuum cleaner in a closed container.
- Replace the mattress if it is not possible to remove too many bed bugs.
- Avoid buying used mattresses.
- Clean mattresses and rooms regularly, especially under the bed, to reduce the chances of bed bugs hiding.
- If necessary, you can contact a pest control officer for a more thorough way of getting rid of bed bugs.
To treat itchy rashes caused by bed bugs, you can use antihistamines. For a more severe reaction to bed bug bites, you may need a corticosteroid ointment that can be obtained through a doctor's prescription.
In some cases, this itching disorder can make it difficult for sufferers to sleep, even develop an infection due to scratching. Therefore, immediately consult a dermatologist if the rash is very bothersome or worsens.