Bed Bugs HQ: Guide to Preventing and Eliminating Bed Bugs
In the last two decades the number of bed bug infestations and attacks are on the rise. Estimates place the increase at over 5000% in the US alone. As a society we are on the go. The more we travel and spend time away from the home, the greater the chance of us bringing these blood sucking pests back home. You only need for one or two bedbugs to hitch their way home with you and then the nightmare begins.
You can find bed bugs in practically any location. Infestations have been reported in hotels, public transportation, homes and apartments, and even places you wouldn’t expect like hospitals and doctors’ offices.
While there typically isn’t any long term health risk from the bite of a bed bug, there is always the chance that an engorged bed bug can rupture. There is the chance that the blood is infected, especially if you are somewhere like a hotel or hospital.
Preventing bed bugs the is the best cure, but sometimes infestations happen no matter how prepared you are. That is why we created BedBugsHQ.com… to be the leading resource for the prevention and elimination of bedbugs from your home. We are also going to show you what you need to do to protect yourself when you travel so that you reduce the risk of being attacked and bringing those pesky pests home with you.
How Do You Know if You Have Bed Bugs?
So what does it mean when you find a bed bug in your home? Many people think that those who live in messy homes are the only ones to end up with an infestation. This is not true. One single bed bug can be the start of a major problem in your home. And they could be there for up to a year before you even know they exist (a bedbug can go a year without feeding). It only takes a few minutes for them to feed on you and once fed they can go back to hiding for a few months. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the common bed bugs signs.
If you are like most people, then it is the bite of a bed bug that is going to alert you to their presence. You won’t notice while they are feeding as you will most likely be asleep. But soon after you will find a bite mark, rash, and itchiness. People react differently to the bite. It is a matter of how allergic you are to the saliva of a bedbug as it mixes with your blood. If you are severely allergic to the bite then it would be best to visit your doctor and see if he can prescribe a cream or antihistamine to relieve the itching.
Now that you have discovered a bed bug infestation, what should you do about it? You have two options… the do-it-yourself pest removal option or calling a bed bug exterminator to come in and take care of the problem for you. They both have their merits and it is a personal decision that you will need to make. You will find plenty of advice here on how to get rid of bed bugs yourself, but sometimes an exterminator makes the most sense.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Killing bed bugs once they have infested your home means cutting off their food source. The easiest way to do this is to trap them inside your mattress (if that is the location of the infestation) and keep them from getting out. There are special bed bug mattress protectors that do just this. Keep current bed bugs trapped and don’t allow any new ones to nest. Over time the bedbugs will die. There are also covers for your pillows, although it makes more sense to just replace the pillow.
Be careful with applying any pesticides inside the home. You will evetually come into contact with the surface that has been treated and that can be bad for your family and your pets. There are organic bed bug pesticides available that greatly reduce the risk to your health.
Extreme heat and cold will kill bed bugs. Some travellers will even leave their suitcases outside all night when returning home if it is freezing to kill bed bugs that might have hitched a ride home with them. What you can do is wash clothes and bed linens and then run them through your dryer on the hot setting. You can also freeze these items for a period of no less than five days.
Vacuuming can help with trapping bed bugs, nymphs and their eggs. There is no guarantee that you will capture the entire infestation with this method. If you do attempt to vacuum them up, make sure to seal and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
Protecting Yourself From Bed Bugs While Travelling
The most common way that bed bugs invade your home is that you pick them up while travelling. A quick glance at bedbugregistry.com will show reports from around the country of bed bugs in hotels. So what can you do to protect yourself from bedbugs?
Don’t place clothes in the dresser if it is close to the bed. If there are multiple closets use the one furthest away from the bed. You want to keep your luggage off of the floor. Make use of the folding racks available in hotel rooms. Most hotels provide you with dry cleaning bags. Place your clothes and luggage inside these bags.
What Now?
This site is loaded with information on preventing and eliminating bed bugs, as well as how to identify and treat bed bug bites. If you unsure of anything be sure to use the comment section below to ask us.
