Bed Bug Pesticide

Bed bugs, scientifically known as cimex lectularius, are small parasitic insects that are usually brown or black in color, in the size of an apple-seed. They usually only come out at night and they primarily feed on the blood of humans when they are asleep.

Where Do Bed Bugs Live and Hide?

Typically, as the name suggests, bed bugs live in mattresses, box springs or sometimes under the linens. During the day, they hide in cracks and crevices of beds, walls, headboards, bed frames and wooden floorboards. However, they can also be found in books, carpets and even phones - basically anywhere that provides them with easy access to you while sleeping.

How Do Bed Bugs Spread and How Did They Infest My Home?

In the recent years, surge in the spread of bedbugs has been attributed to the increase in international travel as well as a decrease in the use of potent pesticides such as DDT (that helped mostly eradicated these pests from developed nations before it was banned in the 1970s to 1980s for environmental and health concerns.)

Bed bugs are efficient hitchhikers and often spread by hitching rides on people's clothing, luggage, beds and other furniture.

They also spread through mattresses. Reconditioned mattresses, which are refurbished old mattresses, often spread bedbugs into stores and homes, resulting in an infestation. In addition, bedbugs can spread when old and new mattresses are transported together. Bedbugs are able to spread through rooms and even apartments.

How Do I Know If My House and Bed Is Infested With Bed Bugs? Signs and Symptoms

Bedbugs are small, cryptic and agile and because of their minute size, they are rarely seen in action by humans. The first signs of a bedbug infestation are usually from the bites on your body by the bugs. Bedbug bites are generally painless, although they can be itchy and cause a bed bug rash. The bites tend to start as swollen wheals, then gradually disappearing after a few days.

Besides the bites, there are other signs and symptoms that may indicated an infestation:

• Small bloodstains from crushed bedbugs on bed sheets or other bed linen
• Detection of dark spots of the bug's excrement on bed or walls
• An offensive musty odor in the room or house when infestations are severe

Tips to Prevent and Keep Bed Bugs Out From My House and Bed?

Prevention is better than cure. It is less messy to take precautions against bedbugs than to get rid of them after an infestation.

You may take the following steps to prevent them from spreading in your homes and bedrooms:

• Use a mattress cover - a plastic or tightly woven one, to prevent bedbugs from crawling in and out
• Seal and repair any cracks on your home's exterior to prevent any insects from entering
• Clean your house regularly - reduce any unnecessary clutter and vacuum your mattresses
• If possible, do not buy or pick up any secondhand furniture

Get additional answers on identifying bed bug symptoms and how to kill bed bugs by visiting BedBugsRemovalGuide.com - internet's leading informational website that provides advice, tips, articles on all aspects about bedbugs.

During the 20th century DDT almost managed to eliminate these pests however being the true survivor they are, these bug suckers are still obviously around and alarmingly their numbers grow each year. In the US alone an increase of 70% of bed bugs within 5 years are reflected in the datum. An adult bed bug can lay 5 eggs a day or 500 in their entire lifetime. Their ability to survive without a meal for as long as 18 months also make these bugs tough opponents and definite survivors.

Research has shown that the boom of cheap travel to various parts of the world have added to the spike of bed bugs as these pests don't mind the intercontinental travel and are immune to jet lag unlike humans. Just one night spent in a pest ridden motel, hotel, hostel or any infested area is all it takes for these uninvited travel buddies to hitch a ride in your luggage. These bugs are not ones to shy away from other forms of transportation reports also show that trains, tubes, buses and other forms of public transport have been known bug terminals make infestation easy and convenient and less tiring than flying if they had wings.

Extermination can be done using store bought sprays but are often as expensive as hiring a professional pest control expert. Most people find it more economic and convenient to let the experts handle these nasty little buggers. If one were brave enough though to still take the DIY extermination route it is important to follow the same steps experts would take or would require you the homeowner to take when planning to eliminate these pests. Start by stripping the mattress bare of sheets and pile up furniture. Do your laundry, any object that can be washed, should be washed, laundered, dry cleaned etc. it is integral that all objects to be washed must use hot water and high heat this disinfects and ensures that the eggs that are possibly attached to these objects are exterminated. Getting Rid of Bed Bugs can be hard but is crucial to live a calm and peaceful life.

Once washed store in an air tight container, sealed bag or tightly knotted garbage bag it is also best if these items are stored while the rest of the house is still being treated. Vacuuming is essential, sweeping isn't. Vacuum as much of the household as possible and toss the filter contents outside in a bin. At this point you will now proceed to spraying the infested area with contact spray or store bought pesticide that is effective in eliminating bugs. When all else fails its time to call professionals in to do the job so that you can sleep tight and not let the bed bugs bite.

My name is Michele Adams. I love to write about health, hair, fashion, and more. I wrote this article today to share my knowledge on getting rid of bed bugs. When I was infested I went crazy for months trying to find a solution. I want to share everything I learned with all of you. For more information please visit my blog - Bed Bug Signs.