There has been a recent widespread of bed bug infestation in some parts of the world. In Nigeria, this is a common occurrence in many homes
While, on one hand, bed bugs are very easy to bring into your home without you realizing it, on the other hand, they could be a very difficult creature to get rid of; as not only are they hard to find, but they could also pose resistance to some insecticides.
In this section, I will explain the signs of bedbug infestation to watch out for in your home and how to get rid of them. If you are interested, let’s get started.
How to Detect Bed Bugs in Your Home:
Bed bugs are dark yellow, brown, or red-coloured tiny insects. They are found in tiny cracks and hidden places around the home or office, mainly on Mattresses, Bed frames, Furniture, Loose wallpapers, Clothing, Wardrobes, Electrical sockets and fittings, Cabinets, and others.
Early Signs of Bed Bugs in Your Home:
One of the early signs of bed bugs in your home is the appearance of bites on your body after waking up. The other possible signs include
-Dark stains or Blood spots on your bedding which could have resulted from bed bug bites or squashed ones-Bed bugs poo or Small Dark spots on furniture, bedding, wallpapers, and walkways. Each excretion is about 0.5 to 1.0mm-Bites on your skin (neck, face arms, leg, and general body) when you are asleep, with the appearance of itchy red or purple spots.-Seeing Live insects or Adult Bed Bugs in your home. The average adult bed bug is about 5mm long.
Bed Bug Bites and Treatment
If you have noticed any of the above signs, the following remedies are suggested
-Make sure to keep the affected area clean.-Apply anti-inflammatory oil such as Basil or Lavender on the affected areas.-If the bite spot feels itchy and you can’t resist scratching, you can place a clean damp cloth to help with the itching.-Seek immediate medical attention at your pharmacy or hospital.
Fortunately, bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases. The health effects of bed bug bites may include irritation, and itching, and can result in infection if the bite spots are scratched. While some individuals do not react to bed bug bites, in some cases, affected persons have been reported to have some swelling of the affected areas.
-Regular cleaning and vacuuming of your environment-Regularly wash bedding and clothing material in hot water (above 50 degrees) and tumble-dry for 30 minutes.-Refrigerate affected bedding and clothing in a plastic bag for about 4 days.-Eliminate clutter in your house as much as possible.-Clean your bedroom more frequently most especially underneath your bed and cabinets-Be careful with shared laundry facilities-Apply bed bug killer spray or any other recommended insecticide as the last option if you notice the presence of Beg bugs in your home.
-Avoid bringing second-hand bedding, furniture, and clothing materials into your home. We rely on second-hand clothing a lot in Nigeria. For this reason, make sure to wash these clothes very well before bringing them into your home. you may soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes.-Avoid sleeping overnight in a hotel, hostel, care homes, or guest house with suspected bed bug infestation signs such as the presence of blood stains or bed bug poo on bed linen.-Don’t spread bed bugs to others. Slash any disposed mattress so others don’t take it for use.
Seeking Professional Service
If you have tried all the above suggestions on how to get rid of bedbugs from your home but you still notice their presence, then it’s time to seek the services of pest control professionals who are equipped and experienced in responding to even the most difficult bed bug infestations.
