A Feeding Bedbug
Bedbugs are insects of the Cimicidae family found all over the world that feed on the blood of warmblooded hosts. Their name refers to their propensity for infesting beds and other furniture related to sleep. Although not strictly nocturnal, they tend to feed at night. While their bite is relatively harmless and contains a numbing agent, repeated exposure can cause pain and topical irritation. Infestations of bedbugs are difficult to control and often require professionals.
Identifcation
Bedbugs are ovular, wingless, roughly a fifth of an inch long, and usually red or brown. They have flat bodies and antennae. Their eggs are small and white, and usually found in groups covered by a sticky residue. Welts and itching on exposed skin are the most common indications of bedbug bites. Bedbugs can hide in a variety of nooks and crannies and are often found in sheet creases, the bed frame and the mattress.
Prevention
People who travel frequently are at a higher risk of bringing bedbugs into their homes. Check hotel beds for signs of bedbugs, and wash all clothes thoroughly after returning home. Secondhand furniture is another likely source and requires a similar inspection. Periodically replacing beds and bedding material helps minimize exposure. Bedbugs do not appear to be responsive to conventional pest repellents.
Treatments
You can remove small infestations of bedbugs with vacuum suction wands, although many sweeps are usually required. Some mattress encasements are specifically designed to keep out bed bugs, although their effectiveness is not known. In many cases removing an infected mattress and cleaning the area before a new mattress is installed will kill and remove bedbugs. Effective commercial insecticides are not generally available to the public and are meant as a supplement to other practices. In some areas heating services are available. A temperature of 140 degrees F for 2 hours or 130 degrees F for 3 hours will kill most bedbugs. Temperatures of 32 degrees F will kill bedbugs after several days.
Professionals
Professional pesticide applicators with experience treating bedbugs are the best option for infestations not remedied by changing sleeping materials and cleaning the area. Bedbugs infestations are notoriously difficult to control, so using professionals will be faster than trying to kill the bedbugs yourself.
Tags: will kill, , degrees hours, difficult control, kill bedbugs