BED infestations are nasty, and can make you feel rubbish if you’ve been bitten by the critters.
What can you do to get rid of an infestation? How can you treat bites? Here’s all you need to know…
The smallest, most blood-sucking insects are bed bugs. Adults are approximately 5mm in length.
After biting through skin, they crawl out of the mattress at night to feed on blood.
They are usually brown, red, or dark yellow in colour and have a flat oval shape. Their size is similar to an apple seed.
Although they aren’t dangerous, they can cause extreme discomfort and stress to those who are bitten by them.
They can’t jump or fly, but can crawl long distances, so can quickly spread throughout a building.
The baby bed bugs, also known as Nymphs, shed their skin five more times before becoming adults. They need to be fed before they become adult.
There are quite obvious signs that you have been infected with bed bugs, the first indication shows up on your skin…
Although bed bug bites are usually painless and go away on their own, some people may experience itching or reddening of the skin.
Some people might develop a rash, fluid-filled blisters, or a skin infection if they are scratched.
For itching and swelling, you may apply something cool like a moist, clean cloth.
Avoid scratching the area and keep the infection at bay.
If you experience any symptoms of skin infection, such as redness, swelling or pain, you should consult your GP. You may also need antibiotics.
If the redness is causing itching, you should also see a GP.
If they are very itchy you can use antihistamine tablets to relieve the itch and apply a mild steroid cream (such as hydrocortisone).
Your bedsheets should be cleaned as well.
A bed bug infestation can be difficult to eliminate. It is best to hire professionals to help you.
Once in your home, bed bugs can quickly spread from room to room.
Wait too long before you identify the problem, and they could completely contaminate your home.
The NHS advises contacting your local council or a pest control firm that’s a member of the British Pest Control Association or National Pest Technicians Association.
Here’s what you should do to get rid of an infestation:
Inspect your mattress and bed regularly for signs of an infestation.
Avoid buying second-hand mattresses and carefully inspect second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home.
Keep your bedroom tidy and remove clutter.
Bedbugs aren’t attracted to dirt, so they’re not a sign of an unclean home, but clearing up any clutter will reduce the number of places they can hide.
If you live in an apartment, you could be more prone to infestation, as bed bugs can move between flats.