Bed Bugs And How To Get Rid Of Them
“Bed bugs” which are also called as “Cimex lectularius Linnaeus (Cimicidae)”
are increasingly found and are becoming a major problem in the known
premises like residential flats, furniture departments, hotels, motels
and dormitory. The best way to be away from the bed bugs is preventing
them. But, let us just go step by step about them.
What are Bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small wingless insects which suck blood from either
humans or other warm blooded animals. They are small ant sized insects
which have adapted to live in homes. There are bugs which hatch eggs and
their size differs from 0.1 cm (child) to ¼ of an inch (adult). They are
oval shaped, brown black or white in color if they are just molten and a
flattened top. As they are loaded with blood within them, they do not
develop wings, and thus cannot fly. Whenever, if they are disturbed,
they would try to rescue at their best by hiding into dark places like
cracks and crevices. If dead dry skin of these bugs is found from the
bed, it is to be understood that these bugs are existing, and it is
better to start inspecting hem before they increase.
Are they harmful?
These bugs usually come out in the night in darkness. They sip blood
slowly and painlessly from the host’s body. They inject a tiny amount of
their saliva while they are feeding and which results in a small reddish
lump like on the skin. If it is repeatedly bitten, then, it also ends up
in irritating itching and also mild to intense allergy.
 Despite of
whatever said about bed bugs, they do not transmit any infectious agent.
How do the get into a home?
They mainly hide in the small crevices which include furniture,
clothing, pillows, boxes and other such storage. Used furniture, bed
frames, mattresses are the most risky places which are affected by the
bugs and their eggs. They usually wander through adjoining walls, cracks
and holes of pipes and wires. They can be demolished by pesticides.
While demolishing them, the person should be very careful of applying or
spraying the medicine till the roots or they would occur again.
What should one do if bed bugs are found?
Bugs resemble to many other different insects. So, to confirm about
them, it is better to collect enough proper information and view the
images. If they turn out to be the same, then it would be advisable to
take proper measures to get rid of them. There are special medicines
(pesticides) to kill them. The affected places like furniture, beds
should be inspected and if necessary the room modifications should also
be done.
The clutter should be reduced so, there is no place for them to hide.
The beds and mattresses should be cleaned properly and seal all the
holes and tears. The walls with cracks should be scrubbed well with a
stiff brush and necessary medicines. The drawers and desks of the
affected place should be all dismantled and try to inspect every small
and possible cracks. It would be advisable to keep the beds away from
the walls and the bed sheets should not be left lose on the bed. They
should be tucked in and so, the bugs don’t have any contact on the top.
If necessary, it is advisable to place the frame legs of the affected
furniture in a bowl of mineral oil.
It is very important to demolish the bugs before they increase and
affect the human health too. It is not advisable to throw the bug
affected items in open or, that may spread in other homes too. But, just
collect those items and dispose them.
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