Bed bugs, are parasitic insects that belong to the human blood-feeding insect family of Cimicidae, commonly known as Cimex Lectularius. This species is also known for several names, including crimson rambler, redcoat, and mahogany flat.
As the name suggests, bedbugs can be found in houses, particularly beds and other sleeping areas. They are also active at night and can feed in their hosts without being noticed. These insects are obligatory hematophagous (bloodsucking) type that mostly feed on humans.
They are attracted to hosts through carbon dioxide, chemicals, and warmth. A bed bug uses two feeding tubes to pierce the host’s skin, with one injecting its saliva and the other withdrawing the blood.
There are several health effects that bed bugs cause, such as skin rashes and allergic symptoms; however, it can be hard to identify their bites from other insect bites.
Generally, their bites are usually red with a darker red spot in the center, arranged in a cluster, itchy, and commonly located on the arms, neck, or face. There are cases when the bites cause severe itching.
When this happens, oral antihistamines or steroid creams can be applied for relief, while antibiotics are used for secondary bacterial infections.
However, there are cases wherein a person experiences severe skin reactions or allergic reaction to the bites; therefore, necessitating seeing a doctor for professional treatment.
Meanwhile, if you want to know the methods on how to get rid of bed bugs, you need to remember that it isn’t an easy procedure. Since eliminating them is a tedious task, you should seek professional help for this.
In choosing an exterminator, you should select one who is in the industry for more than five years and has a reputable background. You should also select one who has been certified by your local officials. Although certified exterminators may cost you $250-$1,000 per room.
You should have a guarantee that all of the aggravating insects are eliminated. They also make follow-up inspections weeks or months after you hire them.
Furthermore, bed bug treatment generally involves an extensive inspection of the house, particularly the bedroom.
Several pest control experts suggest household owners to conduct deep cleaning, which includes dismantling bed frames and furniture, scrubbing infested surfaces using a stiff brush to eliminate eggs, and encase mattresses within special covers.
There are also certain guides available on how to remove bed bugs. One method that some companies recommend is the use of foggers or bug bombs to kill them; however, experts believe that this method will cause other bugs to flee through the walls, causing them to spread to other areas.
Moreover, natural remedies are also recommended, such as vacuuming, steam cleaning, and using diatomaceous earth to stop infestations.
