One of the most annoying bugs that can threaten the health of you and your loved ones are bed bugs. These small invading insects feed on blood, and while they are not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause serious skin problems.
Not to mention the contamination of your bedroom, the rapid spread and reproduction of this pest, and the infestation of your bed and pillows. It is well known that these pests can invade your property, even though everything is clean and spotless, by sneaking into your property undetected.
But the worst part is during the night, when they feed on you without you noticing. You’ll notice the consequences when you wake up, when you notice alarming red spots and irritation. Terrible, isn’t it? So you need to treat these bites immediately, and take combative measures as a preventive measure, to eliminate these vermin.
If you have such bites, are already confronted with this plague and want to eradicate it completely, but don’t know how, or want to learn more about it and seek professional help, then you have come to the right place!
As AKL Exterminators, experts in extermination and pest control of all kinds, we will provide you with all the help and knowledge you need here, so that you can cure and treat bedbug bites, as well as useful tips on how to get rid of this pest.
Don’t wait for the infestation to spread, let’s get started!
Everything you need to know about bedbugs
In order to know how to treat the bites, you first need to know the enemy well. So let’s look at some important facts about these pests:
Appearance of bed bugs
Bedbugs are small, oval-shaped, flattened, dark brown insects about the size of an apple seed. These pests have elongated beaks to pierce the skin. They have no wings, but can move quickly and hide easily between objects.
Diet against bed bugs
The main food source for bed bugs is blood, and when they feed on blood, their bodies swell to a reddish color. They are usually nocturnal pests that pierce the skin and then suck blood at night while their hosts sleep.
Life cycle of bed bugs
The life cycle of these pests is more extensive than that of other pests. Under the right conditions, bed bugs can live up to 12 months! They develop in three stages: eggs, nymphs and adults. Females can lay hundreds of eggs and many mature if they feed immediately on blood
Bed bugs spread very quickly, fully developing within a month, and females can produce up to three generations a year! These insects are constantly shedding their skin. And although they don’t form niches, like cockroaches, they sometimes tend to congregate in cracks or corners.
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bugs, because of their very small size and flattened bodies, can sneak onto your property undetected through clothing, luggage and other objects. They can fit into tiny spaces and any corner can become their hiding place.
However, they prefer to be close to their hosts to feed, so it is common to find them in your mattresses, beds, pillows, carpets and piles of clothes. If the pest grows a lot, it can even spread to any other crevice on your property.
It’s worth noting that these vermin invade property, not because it’s necessarily dirty or messy, but because bed bugs infest by traveling in objects or luggage. So it’s not surprising that even the cleanest, most immaculate buildings can be infested with bed bugs.
How do I know if bed bugs have invaded my property?
Noticing the presence of bedbugs can be a bit difficult due to their size, but there are some obvious signs and indicators that can help you recognize an infestation and refer you to professional exterminators like us. Some of these signs include:
- Bite marks or marks on your skin with no apparent explanation.
- Black or red stains on your clothing, bed or mattress.
- Dried skin from nymphs or insect corpses.
- Damp or sweet odor, if there is a nest of many bed bugs nearby.
Symptoms of Bed Bug Bites
Depending on your body’s reaction, you may or may not feel the manifestation of these pest bites. Usually, when bed bugs bite, they excrete some sort of anesthetic before feeding, so you won’t feel the bite immediately.
Some people have no reaction, others do. In other cases, the effects of the bite may take days to show up. Sometimes the bugs can even feed for days without anyone noticing.
But in general, bed bug bites cause the following symptoms, depending on how your body reacts:
- Itchy or burning sensation
- Spots or patterns of spots.
- Inflammation and irritation of the skin.
- Reddish bumps with a dark center and a lighter surrounding area.
- Small dried blood spots from bites on the skin or sheets.
Where do bed bugs bite?
These insects can bite anywhere on the body where there is skin, so virtually all of your skin is vulnerable to their attacks. However, when you sleep, bites occur in the most exposed areas, such as the neck, face, back, hands, shoulders, arms and legs.
Complications of bed bug bites
Although there is no evidence that bites from these pests transmit serious diseases, medical complications can occur in some individuals with very serious symptoms, such as:
- Allergic reactions.
- Blisters filled with liquid.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Nausea and fever.
- Swelling of the tongue.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Sleep deprivation, anxiety or lack of rest.
If you experience these signs, you should seek immediate medical attention.
How do bed bug bites heal?
Bed bug bites usually get better and disappear on their own within a few days. However, to relieve or cure the unpleasant symptoms, there are some very effective methods you can use. First, you can wash the stung area continuously with soap and water.
Secondly, you can apply anti-sting creams or calamine lotions on the sting. Also, try not to scratch as much as possible to avoid infection. Another tip is to apply cold cloths or wrapped ice, or put essential oils on the affected areas of your skin.
Third, if the itching persists, you can take over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines or hydrocortisone, to ease the discomfort. However, if the swelling or itching goes away, or if you have severe allergic reactions, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Often, the immune response can be exaggerated, resulting in complicated swelling and infection. In some cases, you may need specialized medications, such as steroids or antibiotics. Remember, any abnormal reaction in your body is a warning sign.
Preventing Bed Bug Bites
Finally, and in order to prevent these pests from playing their role at night, we recommend some very effective tips, in order to keep this pest at bay and avoid any bites, which could lead to complications or discomfort. Let’s see what they are!
- Use bedbug repellents before bedtime, spraying your bed and pillows.
- Cover up when you sleep. You can wear pajamas or sheets that cover as much skin as possible.
- When you go to another place or spend the night in another building, such as a hotel, carefully inspect the sheets, furniture, rugs and beds.
- When you return from another location, carefully check all luggage, clothing and items you bring with you.
- Vacuum mattresses, furniture, appliances and rooms regularly. If you know how to use steam, it will be much better.
- Fill any holes or cracks in your property, especially baseboards or holes in furniture.
- Hire a professional extermination, or pest control, service for total and accurate elimination of these insects.
Now that you know all about bed bugs, and how to treat the bites these pesky pests cause, feel free to apply these curative and preventive measures on your property or while traveling! Remember, these insects can infest in the most unexpected ways, so be on the lookout!
If you are suffering from the bites of these vermin, or if you cannot eradicate a bedbug infestation on your own, and you urgently need the help of a company that specializes in pests, do not hesitate to contact us! At AKL Exterminator, we are professionals in the extermination and control of all types of pests.
We will help you without saying a word! In addition, we offer different services and products that you can find in our amazing online store, to control all kinds of invaders, from spiders to rodents. We offer our services in the different provinces of Quebec.
You can find us at 5333 Boul. Laurier, suite 128 Terrebonne, J7M 1W1. We guarantee the quality and the warranty of our products and services, against any invading pest. Do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on the image below! We take calls at any time!
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