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Almost everyone has heard of bed bugs and with recent news articles detailing an increase in bed bugs in and around the city, it can easily become a source of anxiety for new renters, homeowners, or frequent travellers. Moreover, as with anything that induces anxiety, there is bound to be a ton of misinformation, especially on the internet. This guide from your neighbourhood sleep experts will provide you with the facts on bed bugs such as what they look like, where they come from, and what to do if you think you have them.
Bed bugs (cimex lectularius) are small, reddish-brown, flat, parasitic insects without wings that can range in size from 1-7mm (about the size of an apple seed). Bed bugs feed solely on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep; with each bed bug feeding every few days, however, they can survive for several months without a meal.
Check out this page to see comparison photos of bed bugs and other common household insects.
Check out this page for more detailed information about bed bugs
Bed bugs are found across the globe including in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The presence of bed bugs is not determined by cleanliness; they can be found anywhere from buses, trains, and cruise ships, to homeless shelters, dorm rooms, and condominiums, to five-star hotels and resorts. During the day, bed bugs are often found in the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, nightside tables, dresser drawers, cracks and crevices, behind wallpaper, or in any other clutter on or around the bed. Studies have shown that bed bugs can travel up to 100 ft throughout the night but they tend to live within 8 ft of where people and animals are sleeping.
Oftentimes the easiest way to identify a bed bug infestation is the bite marks. These bite marks are similar to a mosquito or flea bite and appear as a slightly swollen, red area that may itch. Bites may be in a linear or random pattern and are usually seen on the face, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet. Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety, and other skin problems that arise from constant scratching at the site. Bed bug bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so you may need to look for other clues in order to determine if bed bugs have infested an area.
Bed bug signs include:
It is best to keep the bed bug infestation to as few rooms as possible as this makes it easier to treat. It is recommended that you continue to sleep in the same room because moving rooms or sleeping on your couch increases the risk of bringing bed bugs into these other areas of your home. Bed bugs tend to hide as close to the bed as possible so you really only need to launder the fabrics in the immediate area such as your bedding and clothing in any dressers near the bed. Hanging clothes in closets can usually be left there but we do recommend washing any clothes left on the floor.
The best way to kill bed bugs in clothing and bedding is with heat. We recommend transporting your clothing to your washer/dryer in sealed plastic bags to prevent contamination throughout your home. Next, you’ll want to dry your clothing on high heat (around 49 C or 120 F) for up to 30 minutes to kill any bed bugs that may be living in them. You can then wash your clothes as normal if needed. Clothing that has been washed and dried should be stored in sealed plastic bags or totes at least until your home has been fully treated by professionals to prevent reinfestation.
While bed bugs usually do not pose a serious medical threat, they can be a serious annoyance. Infestations are commonly treated by insecticide spraying. If you suspect that you have an infestation, contact your landlord or a professional pest control company that is experienced in treating bed bugs.
The best way to treat a bed bug bite is to avoid scratching the area and be sure to cleanse the area with soap and water to prevent infection. You can also take an over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl for the itching. While most people won’t even realize they have been bitten, some people may experience an allergic reaction which can include enlarged bite marks, painful swelling, and on rare occasions can lead to anaphylaxis.
There really is no way to prevent bed bugs as you can come into contact with them anywhere unknowingly. The best way to prevent bed bugs is to perform regular inspections for the signs of an infestation. This inspection should involve checking the seams of your mattress, underneath your mattress, on and around your box spring or bed frame, and anywhere else in the immediate vicinity of where you sleep.
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Shop NowBed bugs are not known to spread disease. However, bed bug bites can cause itching and excessive scratching which increases the risk of developing a secondary skin infection.
Bed bugs usually do not pose a serious medical threat but they can be a serious annoyance. Bite marks can be itchy which may lead to excessive scratching and can increase the risk of developing a secondary skin infection. Moreover, this itching and even that constant thought of having bugs in your bed can lead to insomnia and anxiety which can eventually impact your health.
Oftentimes the easiest way to identify a bed bug infestation is the bite marks. These bite marks are similar to a mosquito or flea bite and appear as a slightly swollen, red area that may itch. Bite marks may be in a linear or random pattern and are usually found on the face, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet. Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety, and other skin problems that arise from constant scratching at the site. Bed bug bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so you may need to look for other clues in order to determine if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:
Bed bug bites are similar to a mosquito or flea bite and appear as a slightly swollen, red area that may itch. Bite marks may be in a linear or random pattern and are usually found on the face, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Bed bugs travel in the seams and folds of clothing, bedding, luggage, overnight bags, and furniture. Most people don’t even realize they are transporting bed bugs as they travel from location to location.
Unlike lice, bed bugs do not travel directly on people. However, they can travel on your clothes, luggage, overnight bag, backpack, etc. which allows them to travel from place to place virtually undetected.
Every infestation is different. But generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month before signs of infestation become obvious.
It is best to keep the infestation to as few rooms as possible as this makes it easier to treat. It is recommended that you continue to sleep in the same room because moving rooms or sleeping on your couch increases the risk of bringing the bed bugs into these other areas of your home.
No. Bed bugs tend to hide as close to the bed as possible so you really only need to launder the fabrics in the immediate area such as your bedding, curtains, and clothing in any dressers near the bed. Hanging clothes in closets can usually be left there but we do recommend washing any clothes left on the floor.
The best way to kill bed bugs in clothing and bedding is with heat. We recommend transporting your clothing to your washer/dryer in sealed plastic bags to prevent contamination throughout your home. Next, you’ll want to dry your clothing on high heat (around 49 C or 120 F) for up to 30 minutes to kill any bed bugs that may be living in them. You can then wash your clothes as normal if needed. Clothing that has been washed and dried should be stored in sealed plastic bags or totes at least until your home has been fully treated by professionals to prevent reinfestation.
The best way to get rid of bed bugs for good is with professional help. Calling an experienced pest control company will be the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs in your home. You may read online about using plastic bags or certain household cleaners but these are often not proven and since bed bugs can live without feeding for up to 5 months, they are also just plain impractical. It is best to call a professional and let them do the job they do best.
We highly recommend having your house professionally treated for bed bugs instead of trying any home remedies, especially for your mattress. A mattress cannot be cleaned like your countertops or clothing. If a mattress gets wet, it cannot be dried and can actually grow mold and harbor other bacteria. The best option if your mattress has bed bugs is to have a professional complete a bed bug treatment after which you can vacuum your mattress which will remove any dead eggs or bed bug carcasses. We also recommend vacuuming your carpet, box spring, and bed frame once the treatment is completed.