How To Deal With A Bed Bug Infestation

Having an infestation of bed bugs can be worrying in several ways: they often aren't noticed until the infestation is serious, they can be hard to get rid of, and they can make you feel embarrassed. You may have got your bed bugs from a piece of second-hand furniture, or from a hotel you visited. Whatever your situation, there is an easy set of steps you can take if you suspect you may have bed bugs.

Correctly Identify And Treat Your Bites

People often have trouble identifying bed bug bites, as they can look very similar to other insect bites. However, there are a few things you should be looking for. Firstly, the bites will be on parts of the body that are exposed during sleep, such as the feet, face and arms. They will be itchy and are often set out in lines or clusters, as opposed to dotted across your body. 

You may also find spots of blood on your bedsheets, which gives an indicator of where the bites took place. Bed bug bites are not dangerous, and as the American Academy of Dermatology explains, all you usually need is to wash the bites with soap and water and apply over-the-counter cream to combat itching. If you are worried that a bite is infected, see your GP.

Take Steps To Kill The Bugs

If you feel certain that you have bed bugs, don't panic -- there are things you can do, especially if the infestation is still mild. The University of Minnesota suggests that you try washing your bedding, clothes and other fabrics with very hot water, and then tumble dry them on a hot heat to kill the bugs. Make sure you use plastic bags to transport your bedding to the machine, so as not to spread the issue.

You may also want to throw away whichever piece of furniture you suspect caused the problem, whether a couch or mattress. If you see bugs, you can vacuum them, but you will need to throw away the hoover bag afterwards. Remember that if you feel worried about your ability to deal with bed bugs, there are professional pest control companies who can help, as explained below.  

Call In The Professionals

If you have bed bugs, calling in a professional pest control company is always an option -- they can confirm your diagnosis, give you the best advice, and rid your home of bugs with the minimum amount of disruption to your life. If you decide to go with a pest control company, you can help them by not moving anything from the infected room, as suggested here by Arun District Council, as this can spread the infestation. You can search online for local companies that can help you and find out how much they charge -- remember; it's best to call in the professionals if you don't know what you're doing, as you could potentially make the problem worse.

Having bed bugs is difficult and uncomfortable, but by following the steps above, you can make the removal of the infestation as smooth as possible. For more information, speak to your local pest control companies for advice and help.