Bed Bugs Handbook
Free Advice, How To and Practical Tips
The Bed Bugs Handbook is committed to providing information on how to recognize that you have a problem and how to remove these pests from your home or apartment. We also provide advice for how to avoid bringing them into your home from other places, such as when you are on vacation, traveling or bringing used or new items such as furniture or a mattress into the home.
According
to a a 2010 study conducted by the National Pest Management Association
(NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, If you have bedbugs in your home
you are not alone. There has been an 81% increase in bedbug calls since
the year 2000. The study goes on to state that we are on the
threshold of a global bedbug pandemic. It also states that bed
bugs are harder to treat than cockroaches, ants and termites.
Bed
bugs have been found everywhere including hospitals, daycare centers,
college dorms, religious institutions, homes, apartments, libraries and
even theaters. No location is immune. It doesn't matter how
rich or poor you are, if someone carries a bed bug into your home, they
will multiply quickly.
Bedbugs are small insects that are technically not wingless, although they do not fly. They hide in narrow crevices near the feeding area, such as a mattress seam, bed frame, and other furniture, although they can be found in any room or area of a home.
There area many different kinds of bedbugs. One type in particular likes to feed on the blood of people, but they will also feed on pets.
Having bugs in your home does not mean that your home is unclean. The bugs can ride into your house on clothing or crawl out of luggage carried from an infested hotel room. You may even bring them into your house on used furniture. Be especially cautious of used mattresses and bed frames. Finally, your house or apartment could already be infested when you move in or if they moved from another apartment into yours.
The length of time a bed bug can live is dependent on temperature and how recently they fed. Cooler temperatures result in a longer lifespan. It is possible at the right temperature and feeding schedule, that a bed bug could live for 1 year without feeding again.
Many people do not realize they have an infestation. They may even have bites from bedbugs, but not realize what is biting them. Bed bug bites are an allergic reaction that can vary from person to person. For most they take the form of raised red bumps. There are usually multiple bites in the same area, but a single bite is possible. Bumps are usually larger than a mosquito bite. Larger reactions or hypersensitivity to the bite can result in the formation of blisters. Bites do not normally require any treatment and will go away on their own in a few days. Bites can be itchy, with any over the counter treatment for itch due to insect bites providing some relief.
Adult bugs are about a quarter of an inch long. Young bed bugs are called nymphs, of which there are 5 stages in the bed bug life cycle followed by a 6th adult stage. A nymph is approximately 1/32 of an inch or 1 mm long. A bedbug egg is approximately 1 mm long.
Getting rid of the bugs can be quite a chore. Removing an infestation involves washing all clothes and linens, treating mattresses and cracks and vacuuming all areas of the room. See our guide for specific steps on how to kill bedbugs.
There are a number of commercial products that work quite well. Look for a pesticide that states it is safe for humans and pets, and follow the directions carefully. Buying a kit can be the most cost effective way to treat a room. After treatment mattresses and the box spring should be sealed in a zippered cover to trap any insects and the harder to find eggs that you may have missed.
Bedbugs can be difficult to remove. It may require 2 to 3 treatments before you are done. Do not hesitate to call in a professional service since part of the problem with killing bedbugs is knowing where to look and what products to use. Professionals have equipment not available to homeowners such as high heat devices and dogs that can detect the unique smell of the insects.
Bed bug exterminator selection tips. List of questions to ask before hiring a bedbug exterminator.
Get rid of bed bugs by following these step by step instructions. Whether you are hiring a professional or doing it yourself, this site is filled with bed bugs getting rid of approaches.
Information on bedbugs. Resource on everything bed bug including how to kill bed bugs, local bed bug resources, and tips for preventing bedbugs from returining into your home or apartment. Learn how to spot bedbugs in your home and and traveling incluing photos of bed bugs.
Bed bugs bite. See our guide to what bed bug bites look like and how to rid your home of the bed bug problem.
Identify bed bugs be looking at the signs that they leave behind such as red or brown spots on linens. Other obvious signs include bite marks on the skin.
Bed bugs getting rid of them. Read our step by step guide for getting rid of bed bugs from your home, apartment or office. See our product recommendations that will help with the process and learn when to turn to a professional exterminator.
Bedbug life cycle explained. Site includees a bed bugs life cycle diagram, bedbug video and pictures of each stage of the bed bug life cycle from egg to adult.
Bed bug prevention guide. See our list of local news stores, local bed bug control resources and local bed bug exterminators.
Bed bugs pest control. Read about the different types of products you can buy to control bed bugs in your house or apartment. Descriptions include pictures of bed bugs.
Bed bug pesticide choices include aerosols, dust, emulsifiable concentrates, ready to use, poweder and microencapsulation formulas. See a list of the different bedbug pesticides available.
Bed Bugs Pictures. See a photo bed bug at every stage of the bedbug lifecycle. Bugs look very different when they are just born than when they are adults. Also see pictures of bed bug eggs.
Prevent bed bugs. See our tips for preventing bed bugs from entering your home or apartment. Also see our guides to bed bug bite symptoms, treatment. Recommendations are made for safe home insecticides.
Symptoms of bed bugs can range from small puncture marks, to small red bumps to blisters. They usually appear on the arms and ankles followed by the legs. Symptoms usually worsen from repeated bite episodes.
Bed bug travel tips. Learn about to avoid hotels, cruise ships and other places that may have a bed bug problem.
Bed bugs treatment requires several products which are best purchased in a kit if trying to do it yourself. Bed bugs bite treatment is not required unless it is itchy. Pest control experts will go about bedbug treatment with specialized products.
Bed bugs handbook. Find the latest information on how to get rid of bed bugs, bed bug pest control and bed bug prevention.
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Bed bug traps. Learn how to made two bed bug traps using products found at home.
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