How To Destroy Bed Bugs

Back in the day, about the 1950’s there was a serious problem with bed bugs in the United States. Then all of a sudden one day they disappeared, and there were not many cases of houses and homes that had bedbugs until the early 1990’s, they were back!

There are a couple of factors that are believed to have led to the return of the bed bugs. Many people are pointing to travelers from across the globe. As bed bugs disappeared in the country during those decades, they have, on the contrary, proliferated in Europe, Africa and Asia.

So maybe we brought them over there somehow, and they just returned them o us a couple of decades later, no one really knows for sure. So what can bed bugs actually do to you? Nothing life threatening, they just bite you.

The result of bed bug bites could be a number of skin irritations. If you happen to wake up one morning with red and swollen parts all over your body, chances are, bed bugs have bitten you. They might have feasted on you while you were sleeping.

Bed bugs are tiny, wingless creatures that crawl into furniture surfaces, floor, walls and beds. They are so minuscule, that one you can hardly look at them with your bare eye. Bed bugs live in cracks and crevices and very small holes and cracks in floors, furniture, walls and ceiling. What’s more, they can even make your bed a big paradise and habitat and eventually consider you the unlikely guest in your own bed.

It is in this reason that most of you, for sure, want to eliminate every bed bug that will cross your sight. But one thing, killing bed bugs is just as hard as actually capturing or looking out for them. Bed bugs go out of their hiding places at night time. They tend to hide and keep under their sanctuaries during daytime. That is why, finding them is really a difficult task. You know how harder it is to look after tiny crawling creatures at night.


So if you find that you have them, you may be asking yourself how to get rid of bed bugs. To effectively get rid of bed bugs, there are handful of guidelines and checklists that you should adhere to or follow. For starters, you have to make sure that bed bugs really exist in the suspected areas. How could you kill bed bugs if there are no bed bugs in the first place to kill?

Next you will want to inspect your room. Check the floor, the wall and the ceilings for tiny openings, cracks or holes that can store up or serve as a hiding place for these annoying insects. Make sure to clean your room or the household regularly, taking particular attention to the suspected areas. It is this particular measure that will ensure that bed bugs will not thrive longer or will not choose to live with you.

There are a variety of insecticides and pesticides that have been proven to be effective at killing bed bugs. These insecticides and pesticides are openly easily accessible and purchasable in the market. You do not need any prescription or permit to buy them. Take caution that you make sure you know how harmful and poisonous they are. They can really be effective in killing bed bugs, but they can also, unintentionally, kill you or other people that may come in contact with them.

Many insecticides that destroy bed bugs come in the form of sprays. It is because sprays are the most effective form to carry out harmful chemicals to bed bugs’ system. No, bed bugs are not killed by inhalation. They are too resilient in that department. Sprays work in killing bed bugs by destroying bed bugs’ protective covers or skin.

If your attempts on trying to get rid of bed bugs fail, then it is best and recommended that you seek out a professional exterminator. One reason is that they know what they are doing, and they have been in a situation to get rid of bed bugs a lot more than you have.

Bed Bugs 101

The viscousness of bed bugs show that vampires are not the only blood suckers that are around. Scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, bed bugs are small, brownish flat-like insects that operate mostly during late hours when it is dark out.

When it is daytime bed bugs prefer to situate themselves in areas people normally sleep on. Their small bodies enable them to fit in the narrowest of spaces, especially those related with basebords, crevasses on mattresses, and pillow cases. Unlike ants or bees, bed bugs do not congregate in just one area alone.

The problems with bed bugs go back as far, as documented, as medieval Europe and classical Greek during the time of Aristotle. Bed bugs were already known to feast on wild hosts mainly birds and bats.

Bed bugs were a huge problem especially before World War II due to the poor focus on cleanliness and proper hygiene. However, the bugs nearly vanished in the 1940’s and 1950’s because of the widespread use of various pesticides. However, less effective pesticides and reforms in pest control methods enabled these creatures to make a comeback and again become a pest in society.

The adult bed bugs are normally confused for ticks or tiny roaches, as they are approximately ¼ inch in length with flat and hard bodies. These insects can move swiftly in floors, ceiling, walls and other surfaces, but even though they have wings they cannot take flight. The female bed bugs can lay as many as 500 eggs during their lifespan and choose inconspicuous areas to make their move.

As soon as the female eggs hatch, the baby bugs or nymphs can fully develop in as little time as a month. Cool areas or where there is no access to blood will prolong the development time. The nymphs can live for several months without feasting, while the adults can last for around a year.

People that are asleep counting sheep are normally the prime targets of bed bugs. A person who is being bitten may not even notice that he has become dinner for the bed bug, as engorgement normally lasts for around three minutes or even less than that. Bite scars result in a red welt or slight swelling of the skin, depending on how sensitive the person’s skin is.

People that are traveling often, do not regularly clean their beds or use pre-owned beds, should be concerned that they will sooner or later be attacked by bed bugs. However, bed bugs are not considered a serious disease threat, as there is only a small chance that they can transmit any harmful virus to humans. Those that want to prevent complications from bed bug bites should spread antibiotic cream or antiseptic to the infected area of the body.

In addition, it is best not to scratch the infected area, as depending on how sensitive your skin is you could expand the rash even more. Similar to mosquito bites, scratching only makes the infection worse.

The proliferation of bed bugs has been a problem for many hundreds of years. The length of time they have been causing headaches indicate that the perfect way control them has yet to be developed. It is wise for a person with a bed bug issue to hire a professional exterminator to help remedy their dilemma.

Those with extensive experience in the pest control industry should know where bed bugs settle. To aid the pest solvers, clients should at least clean their surroundings from excess clutter. The inspectors could be forced to search in nearby rooms, as bed bugs have the ability to disperse in different areas of a building.

The mattress is normally the main breeding ground of bugs. If a bed has holes and tears it is likely that these contain bed bug eggs inside or out. Pest control companies normally advise their clients to get rid of the mattresses that are heavily infested or in poor shape.

Bed bugs are not picky about what type of bed they will settle in, as they put more importance on the warm blooded person occupying it for an extended period of time. Bed bugs can even settle in sleeping bags, egg foam, or even stacks cardboard on the floor.

Any place where people sleep is always the ideal area for bed bugs to roam. Water beds are not excluded, as these have nooks and crannies and are often warm, which is the preferred temperature of these insects.

Despite various methods to control bed bugs, it is safe to say they are here to stay. Possibly, the best way not to become a bed bug victim is by putting a premium on good hygiene and cleanliness, it wont stop them but it will give them less places to hide, making them easier to get rid of.