FINDING bed bugs can be a cause for panic, but there are some easy ways to prevent or get rid of them.
However, it can be confusing as to how they can get into your bed in the first place. Here's a rundown.
How do bed bugs get in your bed?
Bed bugs can come from infested areas or from used furniture.
They are able to travel around from place to place by hitching a ride on luggage, handbags or backpacks as well as being able to travel between rooms.
Bed bugs can get into your bed by already being in the room, climbing up onto your bed or being on you or some of your clothing.
They hop onto people’s stuff and hang on until they find nice, warm beds, clothes, or furniture to live and breed in.
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The insects are pros at surviving and can live for up to a year without any food.
What does a bed bug bite look like?
Bed bug bites tend to look like small, flat or raised areas that may become inflamed, itchy, red or blistered.
They don't always appear straight after being bitten and may take a few hours or days to raise up.
However, not everyone will react the same to the bites.
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Another factor that can impact the size of a bed bug reaction is the number of times a person is bitten.
Bed bugs feed on our blood by piercing through our skin with tiny, saw-like mouths.
They numb the area with saliva full of anaesthetic and anti-clotting chemicals to reduce pain while sucking the blood out.
How do you check for bed bugs?
Make sure to carefully check your blankets, sheets, and mattress pads and then check the mattress itself for bed bugs.
If you see specks of blood anywhere there could be a bed bug infestation.
You should also check for specks of blood on all of your upholstered furniture, including sofas and headboards.
If you find bed bugs you then need to check if it definitely is one.
They can be can be dark yellow, red or brown and adults are around 5mm long or the size of an apple seed.
They tend to have a flat, oval-shaped body, which may be more plump if they have fed recently.
How to get rid of bed bugs?
There are multiple ways you can get rid of bed bugs if you find you have an infestation.
You can start by washing your bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer setting.
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Put any teddies, shoes, and other items that can't be washed in the dryer and run it on high for half an hour or longer.
If you have a steamer you may also want to steam your sheets and soft furnishings to be double sure you've got rid of all the bugs.
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