Bed bugs are known by several names: red bug, crimson ramblers, wall louse, mahogany flat and more. One upon a time the bed bug population in large cities had disappeared, or so we thought. Now they are back again. They live in mattresses all over the city in private homes, missions and shelters, big hotels – where there is a bed there can be a bug.
Bedbugs are tiny broad and flat creatures which grow in size after a feeding. They are brown in color and do not have wings, but after a bed bug bites it will change to a reddish brown color showing up the blood that they have just feasted upon. Nymphs which are the stage of bed bug just before adulthood are a yellowish white color.
In the past insecticides such as DDT was commonly used to rid the infected bed from bed bugs, now this product is not as widely used. Another way in which the bed bug population is once again striving is by traveling on clothing and in suit cases. The people of today travel much more than they did in the past. They are leaving their neighborhoods, cities and even countries and taking these pests along for the ride. These little creatures multiply fast, they lay as much as 200 eggs over the course of their adult life. The eggs are hidden in woodwork and hatch in about a week. Bed bugs are remarkably strong creatures and have been known to live over a year without a blood meal.
Nevertheless bedbugs are pests. Bed bug bites are not usually detected immediately because the victim is fast asleep. Actually only one type of bedbug will feed on human blood, the others feed on animals. Bed bugs are attracted to the heat given off by the human body as they twist and turn while sleeping at night. Bed bugs inject saliva into their victim which causes a mild allergic reaction. The symptoms of bed bug bites include: swelling itchy welts and redness. They may also leave blood marks on bedding, and black and brown spots in the woodwork or on the mattresses and bedding. On occasion, people may have a more severe allergy to bed bug bites but that does not happen often. Bed bug bites are more irritating than harmful. In the case of severe anaphylaxis reactions; respiratory problems, heart palpitations, dizziness, vomiting, and joint and muscle weakness, consult a doctor immediately.
Bed bugs will hide everywhere and are very hard to get rid of without professional services of an exterminator.
However you can help by thoroughly washing all clothing and surfaces, vacuuming and disposing of the dirt bag, covering mattresses with a plastic covering, removing and any cloth under the box spring. If you are lucky enough to find them trapped in metal devices, you can coat their legs with a petroleum jelly and double sided carpet tape to stop them from moving. You can spray with chemical insecticides but be very cautious, the chemicals are caustic. Follow directions at all times.
Are Bed Bug Bites Keeping You From Having a Good Night Sleep? is a post from: First Aid Products
