A common phrase is: “Sleep well. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” But what are bed bugs and how do you get them? Bed bugs are oval-shaped insects that grow to about 5 millimeters in length as adults. They come out at night and cannot fly, but they can crawl very quickly.
Bed bugs feed on human blood, which causes itchy bites. Outside of bites are signs you have bed bugs, live bugs themselves, shell casings, fecal stains, eggs, bloodstains on sheets, and an “unusual, musty odor,” according to M&M Pest Control of Long Island City, New York.
How do you get bed bugs?
Bed bugs can travel fast and have the ability to cling to furniture and other objects. They can be brought into the home from places where people sleep for a period of time, such as bus seats, airplanes, or theater cushions, etc. They can also sneak into your home through purses and luggage. Once home, they can hide in bedroom furniture such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames.
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How to get rid of bed bugs at home
Here’s how to get rid of bed bugs at home, according to WebMD.
- Wash linens, clothes, bedding and curtains in hot water. Then put them in the dryer on the hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
- To remove bed bugs and their eggs, use a stiff brush on the mattress seams.
- Vacuum your bed and the area around it often. Put the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and throw it in a bin outside.
- Wrap your mattress in a bed bug mattress cover. Leave this on for at least a year as bed bugs can survive for up to a year without food.
- Repair cracks in walls or plaster and tape up peeling wallpaper to limit bed bug hiding places.
- Get rid of clutter around the bed.
Although these tips can repel bed bugs, it’s best to use chemicals to exterminate bed bugs. For best results, WebMD suggests hiring an exterminator with experience dealing with the pests.
The Environmental Protection Agency has a detailed version of home remedies to get rid of bed bugs.
How to treat bed bug bites on skin
Although they can be annoying, bed bug bites are nothing to worry about. They are not contagious and do not transmit diseases.
The Cleveland Clinic recommends treating them by gently washing with soap and water, and then applying an anti-itch product to the bites (such as hydrocortisone 1%). But you shouldn’t use it on your face.
If the bites are itchy, apply the product once or twice a day. If the itching persists, your doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger cream or advise you to take a different medication.
Although scratching is tempting, the Cleveland Clinic also advises not to scratch yourself, as it can lead to skin tears or infection.
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Can bed bugs live in your hair?
Bed bugs cannot live in your hair.
According to ABC Home & Commercial Services, based in central Florida, Texas and Oklahoma, bed bugs are attracted to bare skin and are more likely to bite the face or neck.
