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On the JJ Barnes Blog, I check out advice from Bed Kingdom for how to spot bed bugs, and then how to get rid of them!
If you’re a parent, you’re probably overly familiar with the dreaded nit text from school. Many an hour I’ve spent scouring my children’s heads, terrified I might find some creature walking about in there. So, when I saw a conversation on Twitter about bed bugs, my brain exploded.
The idea of some little critters crawling over my skin in the night when I’m tucked up in bed makes me heave. The horror!
So, the experts at Bed Kingdom sent some top tips for how I can spot them (or hopefully… not…) and what to do if I do find anything horrific living in my sheets!
How To Spot Bed Bugs
Your bedroom is supposed to be your safe haven. It is the place where you can unwind and relax at the end of the day, but if you have unwanted guests like bed bugs, that can change quickly. Additionally, they can be difficult to spot, making them a bigger problem in your home and making it harder to get rid of.
The experts at Bed Kingdom have provided seven warning signs of the arrival of bed bugs, and some top tips for how to get rid of them in your bedroom.
Unusual odor
Despite having no obvious cause, such as a dirty pile of clothes, a strange, musty odor that persists in your bedroom is one of the early signs of bed bugs. Alarm pheromones, which have a faint scent of raspberries, cilantro, or almonds, are released by bed bugs when they feel threatened. In severe cases, this smell may be combined with the odor of dead bugs and cell casings that have been shed, creating a rusty scent.
Bites
On the off chance that you awaken with red, bothersome bites, this could be an indication of kissing bugs as they commonly feed on blood during the evening. Typically, bites occur in small clusters of a few on the arms, hands, and legs, but they can also occur in single bites. Although these bites rarely pose a threat, some people may be allergic to them. If you experience severe itching, swelling, blisters, or a fever, it is essential to seek medical attention.
Stains caused by blood
A bed bug’s blood can leak out after it has finished feeding if you squash it suddenly while you are sleeping, like by rolling over. Assuming that you notice any little splotches of blood on your bed sheets or dress, check for whatever on your body first that might be the reason, similar to a scab. Bedbugs are probably to blame for these stains if there is no obvious source of the blood.
Droppings
Bed bug droppings can leave dark brown marks the size of a pen tip on mattresses, sheets, headboards, and even your walls. These marks are much smaller than blood stains. They will likewise emit a weak, corroded smell that adds to the surprising scent through and through.
Eggs
Although bed bug eggs are only about 1 millimeter long, you can identify them by looking for anything in your bed that resembles small rice grains. They can be loosely adhered to a variety of surfaces, typically the seams and joints of the mattress or behind the headboard.
Shell casings
Frequently more straightforward to recognize than the kissing bugs themselves, shell housings are an early indication of pervasion. You can identify bed bugs by their yellow, translucent appearance in the seams, folds, and crevices of mattresses, as well as in other areas like cracks in walls and furniture. Because bed bugs shed multiple times during various stages of their lifecycle, their shell casings can vary in size.
Live bed bugs
It can be hard to find a live bed bug because they usually look for a place to hide, but if there is a serious infestation, you will probably see them. Bed bug nymphs start at just 1 millimeter in length, while adult bed bugs are about 4-5 millimeters long. They can hide in a variety of places, including furniture and your walls, your bed, and the area next to it.
The most effective method to eliminate them from your room:
It tends to be hard to totally dispose of kissing bugs, particularly with an extreme invasion, so it’s encouraged to contact the board or an irritation control administration to guarantee they’re done assuming control over your room. However, there are things you can do on your own to calm down.
1. Utilizing a flashlight and a magnifying glass should be your first step in attempting to locate all of the possible hiding places for the bed bugs. This includes everything on your bed, the cushions, cracks in the furniture and walls, missing wallpaper, the gap between the wallpaper and the ceiling, and the decorations on your wall below them.
2. Use the tumble dryer on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes and wash all of your affected clothing and bedding on a hot cycle. Place anything that can’t be washed in plastic bags and freeze for three to four days.
3. A bed bug spray, which is typically safe for mattresses and furniture, can be used prior to vacuuming, but using an insecticide is not recommended because some of them may contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous when used indoors.
4. Make room for the vacuum by getting rid of any clutter, including magazines, from your bedroom and throwing it in the trash. You can use the small wand to get into other areas of the bedroom, such as furniture and wall cracks, by vacuuming the entire floor, making sure to get all of the corners.
Bed Kingdom
Getting cozy in bed at night is something that many people look forward to at the end of the day, whether it’s to relax and watch their favorite TV show or curl up with a gripping book, said a spokesperson for Bed Kingdom. Unfortunately, when bed bugs take over your bedroom, this can be ruined, so it’s important to know what to look for so you can quickly get back to relaxing and avoid a more complicated removal process.
Conclusion
Despite no actual signs we could have bed bugs, I did a thorough inspection of our beds in a mild state of dread. And woohoo! Nothing out of the ordinary, other than a few cat hairs.
However, it’s good to know what to look out for and how to tackle it, because if that dreaded day ever does come, I’m going to want to blitz the problem as quickly as possible!
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