Bed Bug Treatments
Where Bed Bugs Come From and What to Do About Bed Bug Treatments
Author: Wendell Ruben
Most people usually do not want to have Bed bugs or Cimex lectularius more formally, in their homes. These parasites are usually smaller than one fourth of an inch in length when they are adults and can fill themselves with human blood in only fifteen minutes. This causes the bug bodies to grow up to three times its usual body size. When stuffed to the max, bed bugs usually bear little resemblance to their original state. They are often mistaken for many different types of insect altogether.
These bugs are not new to and have been around for hundreds of years. Records that go back well into the 17th century have written infestations of these bugs and bed bug treatment. In the U.S., they were most common until the Second World War. With the introduction of some pesticides such as DDT there was a lowered number of infestations. It was not until the most recent decade that documented cases gave an indication of the possible rise of bed bug infestations.
Experts believe there is a growing number of reported events can be attributed to the skills used to kill the bugs by the pest spray companies today. Baiting tactics by pest control companies are used for home treatments of such things as spiders, roaches and ants. These schemes with baiting work generally for this type of bug, but since they are blood suckers you can't get rid of the bugs this way. This change in exterminating tactics has contributed to the increase in reported bed bug infestations.
These bugs can lay about five eggs per day with an incubation treatment of ten days in hot weather. This incubation time is usually longer when the weather is cooler. These new bugs will need five large feedings of blood to become adult bed bug. These bugs secrete their exoskeleton during a molting sessions in between feedings. Once they reach age they will start the life cycle over and lay new eggs. Adult females can lay up to 200 eggs during their lifetime. The just hatched young will start to look for their first meal. When they have completed eating they leave tiny itchy sores. The best news is they do not carry pathogens like ticks and mosquitos.
Next door neighbors, furniture and even your furry pets can be unwitting transferees of the disgusting bugs. One common way that houses are infested is by bringing used pieces home that have been left on the side of the road, bought from a neighbor or even bought from a goodwill. If someone has a bed bug infestation, they will more than likely throw out any suspect items. Keep in mind that these bugs can survive a year or more without feeding. Check the item carefully and use a Bed bug spray to prevent them from access to your home.
These bugs can get a ride home on your clothing or in anything you bring with you from vacationing, like a case, or even a visit to the people living down the street. A person can bring the bugs into your home on their clothing, in even boxes or baggage they bring over. Apartment dwellers that are close to one another which have an infestation, beware. Be on guard because they can crawl along wires or pipes through heating and cooling vents or just through the free spaces between walls. Utility rooms are another area where it is common for them to occur. One of the first steps that a person is urged to do when they have a Bed bug infestation is wash sheets and clothes. Make sure bags are tightly closed when transporting infested bedding. Wash with high heat, above 97 degrees is considered the best when trying to get rid of Bed bugs. It is also relevant to use a Bed bug spray of high results for frequent treatment in any hotels, motels, homes and anywhere they could pose a substantial problem to kill the bugs.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/p-articles/where-bed-bugs-come-from-and-what-to-do-about-bed-bug-treatments-2661262.html
About the Author
Learn more about bed bugs. Stop by Wendell Ruben's recommended site where you can find out all about a bed bug treatment for you.
February 7, 2012
6:11 am
i believe that there are some sprays that are pet friendly, but dont get just any type of chemical for it. there are ones that are pet friendly, and some of them can even be bought at a pet store
February 7, 2012
6:11 am
Your solution may be as simple as fresh lemons. Lemons and their juices have been used to fade scarring, age spots and freckles. I guess you could go the cheaper route and use the real lemon concentrate stuff in the bottle or just get a bag of three or lemons cut a slice off three or four times a day and rub it on the area.
Most over-the-counter remedies are just industrial waste that has been refined so that you’ll buy it and get rid of it for the big corps. Lemons might be your answer here.
There are a few places to look for natural remedies that involve hemp. Hemp is a legal, 100% thc free product. Micro-plant is high in natural silica that may also reduce the appearance of scarring. The natural way is usually the best way to go.
Good luck, you’ll smell so Lemony.
February 7, 2012
6:11 am
First, the good news: bed bugs do not carry disease.
The bad news: While there need be no shame in getting bed bugs (you can get them from sitting in the wrong seat of the bus, opera, buying used clothing and not washing it before you bring it in the house), they can be extremely difficult to get rid of, and they are well on their way to becoming a pandemic again. Some people are more allergic to the bites than others, just like mosquitoes, so someone with a heavy infestation may not be bothered because they have a slight reaction, and someone with a light infestation may be very bothered.
The worst news: they have been known to live at least 18 months without feeding.
You’ll need to inspect all cloth and paper goods in your home/apartment. In your bedding, tell tale signs (besides the bugs, which can be sized from sesame seed size up to about 1/4″ and are most likely found in seams, cushion button areas, etc: they really do like to be tight and cozy) are drops of dried blood, and a sort of papery appearance around their eggs: they prefer wood, paper, and cardboard as areas to lay their eggs.
A good, SPECIALLY trained exterminator will give you a guarantee, with a series of treatments but you need to do your part too, because there is prep work and post work to be done. There are reputable items for sale at hardware stores and on the internet, but beware items that claim to kill too many types of different bugs. The aim is to 1) stop them breeding 2) kill the eggs already laid 3) kill the bugs. In all honesty, the prices you quoted are not out of line for a very good treatment, but I would always go with a local, family owned business when possible: they care more about what they do.
Hereis some basic information on the steps to take before you spray/have an exterminator come to spray.
1. Go through all your clothes and linens for washing. Place clothes and linens – and pillows – in sealed plastic bags for transport. Wash and dry everything on hottest possible setting. Have different plastic bags to transport clothes back from laundry; store in the plastic bags or clean, sealable bins until the treatment is completed.
If it can’t be washed and dried, can it be dry-cleaned or frozen? Put things like shoes, books, etc inside of plastic bags, and freeze for at least 24 hours. This kills the bugs and the eggs too. Keep the treated items away from the untreated as in the things that can be washed.
It is very common for more than one treatment to needed to get rid of them; the treatments are most effective with 2 – 3 – 4 weeks apart, to get each part of the lifecycle. This is another good reason to keep treated and untreated items separate until you’re sure they’re gone.
2. Vacuum thoroughly, especially along carpet edges, furniture and bedding seams. Dispose of vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag. Remove this sealed plastic bag to the dumpsters immediately.
3. Remove and inspect all belongings from furniture, tables, closets and dressers. If free of bed bugs, store in tight fitting containers or bags. If not, treat as in #1.
4. Move furniture away from walls. Dismantle bed and other furniture as much as possible.
5. Remove pictures from walls (inspect backing for eggs), and remove electrical outlet and light switch covers from walls (save covers and screws to replace after treatment). You’ll want to use a dry treatment in these areas, and in things like televisions, or other electronic equipment that stays warm even when off – for example, anything that you can use a remote for.
6. If you have a heavy infestation, mattress and fabric furniture _may_ have to be discarded. Don’t go out and toss everything, though, it may not be necessary, really. Do not throw anything away that does not fit into a sealed plastic bag without first breaking it down so that it does – for example, if you do throw out upholstered furniture, cut it so it’s unusable, and mark with a marker “bugs” so that someone else doesn’t take it home and become infested. You may wish to buy a mattress and box spring cover after treatment to prevent reinfestation; places such as bed bath and beyond sell these, and yes, they are special and not simply mattress pads.
9. ELIMINATE CLUTTER. THE ONLY THING THAT MAY TOUCH THE FLOOR IS YOUR FURNITURE. DO NOT BRING IN ITEMS FROM THE TRASH. DO NOT BRING ITEMS INTO YOUR APARTMENT FROM RESALE SHOPS WITHOUT FIRST WASHING IN HOTTEST WATER POSSIBLE.
It can be done, but it’s hard work. Good luck.
February 7, 2012
6:11 am
Who Knows! Why don’t you ask them? Stop asking dumb questions.
February 7, 2012
6:11 am
Make 3 phone calls.
April 11, 2007
6:29 am
Help! Question about bed bug treatments!!!!?
Hi, our landlord is treating our apartment (on very short notice) for bed bugs. We did not have the time to treat the sheets and clothes and take everything out (we just found out late last night, and we just got a call today, saying it’s happening). It is a very frustrating situation, but I would like to know what will happen while we are gone, what will happen to our stuff.
May 28, 2009
7:47 pm
How much would be charged for bed bug treatment in 1 br apartment?
June 21, 2009
5:25 pm
PLEASE HELP! what is the BEST scar treatment out there for bed bug bites?
I’ve already tried SCARZONE and PREFERON as well as some foreign whitening creams….but nothing is working, these scars that resulted from bed bug bites are impervious to all treatments i’ve tried.
can someone please give me some suggestions? i need something that WORKS!
June 2, 2010
4:01 pm
I need advice on bed bug treatment?
We live in a single family home with 3 bed rooms . I had bed bug bites and I checked all our beds and found two bed bugs . I called Terminix and they gave me a quote of $900 for 3 rooms without any guarantee . STOMP gave a quote of $570 with a 90 day guarantee . These prices are too high , cant we get rid of bed bugs ourselves using some sprays or something . Please give your advice
June 9, 2010
10:37 am
Is it safe to spray or do bed bugs treatment at home with a puppy running around?
Have a 4 month old lab mix at home, and recently found that there are bed bugs in my bed, so was concerned that when I will do any kind of treatment for those bugs, it will definetely go into carpets too (a spray like thing) and since he is just mouthing anything these days, is it safe for him to come across that kind of a thing. I can keep him away while doing the treatment but eventually he will be playing there only.