What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny little parasites that feed off the blood of people and animals while they sleep. They hide by day somewhere down the side of the mattress, or under the bed, or in any dark spot. They can lie dormant for several months without a blood meal, and they travel at night, moving over 100 feet. They are quite small, wingless, and reddish-brown in color. The females lay hundreds of tiny eggs in their lifetime, all of which are no larger than a speck of dust.
How are they harmful?
For most people, they are no more than an irritation. They don’t spread disease, fortunately, but they can be very annoying. They bite, but most people are not aware that they have been bitten; they leave no more than a mosquito-bite like bump, which goes away. They cause itching and lack of sleep for some people. Some people do have allergic reactions, which can be a much larger problem.
You can tell that you have a bed bug ( Alliance-enviro.com/Bed-Bug-Removal ) infestation if you see them or see the exoskeletons after they have molted. There are other signs as well, such as unexplained bite marks, a sweet musty odor, and blood spots from their excretions. Bed bug infestations are not linked to cleanliness.
Where did they come from?
Bed bugs are everywhere. They don’t fly, but they can move around! Because of their ability to hide by day, travel at night, and go for months without food, bed bugs are great travelers. They stow away in luggage, so they easily spread around the world. Every country has them, but how can you get rid of them?
What can you do about bed bugs?
Washing bedding, linen, curtains, and clothes in hot water, and drying them on high heat, can help to get rid of bugs and eggs. Do scrub the seams of the mattress with a stiff brush before vacuuming it to loosen eggs or bed bugs. If the mattress is infested with bed bugs, get a new one, but be sure to remove them from the rest of the house, too. Chemical insecticides work, but most people don’t fancy having chemicals near their bed. There is another way to get rid of them.
Try High Heat
Try high heat for an alternative to insecticides. Getting rid of bed bugs can be hard, and although they are not usually harmful, an infestation is not a nice thing to have. An exterminator ( https://info.alliance-enviro.com/blog ) can help easily by providing a heat solution that is safe, effective, and quick. It is also chemical free, odorless, and safe for all areas of the home. High heat is the way to go for safety, comfort, and the most effective and environmentally friendly form of bed bug removal.