ABC’s of Bed Bug Treatment
Most people would rather not have Bed bugs or Cimex lectularius more formally, for houseguests. These parasites are usually no more than one fourth of an inch in length in their adult state and can stuff themselves with human blood in less than fifteen minutes. This causes their bodies to fill to as much as three times its usual size. When stuffed to the max, bed bugs bear little resemblance to their original state. They are often mistaken for a different insect altogether.
Bed bugs are not newcomers and have been around for centuries. Records going back well into the 17th century have documented infestations of bed bugs and bed bug treatment. In the United States, bed bugs were very commonplace until the Second World War. With the introduction of such pesticides as DDT there was a decrease in infestations. It was not until the last decade that reported cases gave an indication of a possible rise in bed bug infestations.
Experts believe that the growing number of reports can be attributed to the tactics used to kill Bed bugs by the pest control companies today. Baiting tactics by pest control experts are used for home infestations of such things as ants, roaches, and spiders. These tricks with baiting work well for this type of pest, but since bed bugs are blood feeders you can’t get rid of Bed bugs this way. This change in exterminating technique has contributed to the rise in reported bed bug infestations.
Bed bugs are able to lay between one and five eggs per day with an incubation period of ten days in warm weather. This period is slightly longer when the weather is cool. These newly hatched bed bugs will need five significant feedings of blood to become adult size. Bed bugs shed their exoskeleton during a molting process in between feedings. Once they reach maturity they will start the process over and lay new eggs. Adult female Bed bugs can lay more than 200 eggs during their lifetime. The newly hatched young will immediately look for their first meal. When they are finished eating they leave tiny itchy sores. The good news is Bed bugs do not carry pathogens like mosquitoes or ticks do.
Furniture, neighbors, and even your pets can be unwitting transferees of Bed bugs. One common way that homes are infested is by bringing used furniture home that has been left on the sidewalk, bought from a neighbor or even bought from a secondhand furniture store. If someone has an infestation, they will more than likely toss out any suspect items. Keep in mind that Bed bugs can survive a year or more without feeding. Check the item carefully and use a Bed bug spray to prevent Bed bugs from access to your home.
Bed bugs can bum a ride home on your clothes or in anything you bring back with you from travels, like a suitcase, or even a visit to the neighbors down the street. A neighbor can bring the bugs into your home on their clothes, in even boxes or bags they bring over. Apartment dwellers that are close to another that has an infestation, beware. Take note that the Bed bug can crawl along pipes, on wires, through heating and cooling vents or just through the dead spaces between walls. Laundry rooms are another area where it is common for a transfer to occur. One of the first things that a person is urged to do when they have a Bed bug infestation is wash bed linens and clothes. Make sure bags are tightly closed when transporting infested linens. Wash with hot water, above 97 degrees is considered best when trying to get rid of Bed bugs. It is also important to use a Bed bug spray of high quality for frequent treatment in any hotels, motels, personal dwellings and anywhere Bed bugs could pose a potential problem to kill Bed bugs.
