Bedbugs-loosing your sleep

Bedbugs have existed on this earth from thousands years now. Bedbug gets its name from its characteristics of targeting victims in the night when they are on bed. These tiny insects survive on blood and the victims are primarily human. Though they don't carry or transmit any disease but can take away your sleep and peace of mind.

Adult bedbugs are 5mm in size and look like apple seed and are easily visible to the naked eye. A bedbug can easily survive up to a year without eating, but their instinct usually leads them to fetch a meal, every 6-12 days. It is misconception that bedbugs are attracted by dirty environments however. What attracts them is the warmth and exhaled carbon dioxide. The bedbug will crawl into the bed, feed off its host, and return before daylight hours. Bedbugs exist in most temperate climates. There was a time when they completely disappeared from Australia due to the usage of highly toxic chemicals like DDT.

If there are itching spots or raised bumps on your skin it can be due to the bedbugs. Watch out for actual crawling bed bugs or dead remains, dark brown/reddish fecal stains, blood stains, feces or cast skins of the bugs. Scrutinize your furniture, clothing, linens, curtains and especially your bed frames and mattresses. Bed bugs are oval shaped and very flat so they love to fit in tiny crevices.

There are many home remedies to remove bed bugs, Vacuuming and scraping can help get rid of bedbugs, clothes can be run through a washer and dryer for heat to kill the insects, if clothes can't be washed then put them in an enclosed plastic bag and place in a freezer for about a week. Zip your mattress with a fabric or vinyl mattress to create a complete seal that will trap bedbugs until they die, it will take longer time. Steam cleaning can also kill bedbugs and eggs.

If infestation is severe call professionals for help. Be sure if the pest control company you are contacting has some experience with bedbugs. Be prepared that the exercise may be relatively costly and time taking. At least one return visit will be required and ensure that the cost of the return visit has been factored into the initial treatment price.

Even if you have done a pest control there is no guarantee that bed bug won't return. As Bed Bugs are very transportable and you never know if you are carrying a new batch home the next time you are staying at a hotel.