Identifying bed bugs in your home
Bed bugs are bloodsucking insects which often go unnoticed because of their tiny size. These reddish-brown pests are flat and oval in appearance and usually thrive in the minute gaps of your furniture, curtains, sheets, pillows, and mattresses. Bed bugs aren’t capable of flying, but they can instantly move from one place to another. Not just homes, but bed bugs can be found in offices, hotels, college dorms, hospitals, etc.

Signs of bed bugs in your home

If you seem to be doubtful about the infestation in your home, here are some signs of bed bugs you should be aware of.

• Body – One of the most obvious signs of bed bugs is severe skin rashes, inflammation, and itching on your body. Although, you might not notice this right away as bugs may feed only once or twice a week. But even if you sense any trivial discomfort then examine your body to be sure. Generally, bed bugs will feed only on the exposed areas of the body. This could include your legs, arms, feet, neck, face, etc.
• Bed – The reaction of a bed bug bite varies from person to person. For instance, person A might have no skin rashes, but on the other hand person, B might suffer from instant inflammation of the skin. So, thoroughly check your bed, sheets and even clothes for blood stains, which might appear as tiny brown spots. Bed bugs also tend to shed their skin while they are growing, so you will also find some of the brown exoskeletons on the bed.
• Odor – If the bed bugs have been cocooned in your space for quite a while, you will eventually notice an unappealing musty stench on your bed or furniture.

If you detect any of these signs of bed bug infestation in your home or workplace, quickly act as any form of delay would worsen the problem.

How to get rid of bed bug bites?
If you have suffered from bed bug bites, then seek the services of a doctor to alleviate your discomfort. They can prescribe you with topical creams or medications, in case there is a severe swelling or burning sensation on your skin. Regarding minor rashes, you can also purchase over-the-counter products like ointments and neutral personal hygiene products such as soaps, body washes, etc.

You might be tempted to scratch the rashes caused by bed bug bites, but avoid doing so to thwart further aggravation. Bed bug bites are usually harmless, but in rare situations, they can trigger skin allergies or infections. Mostly such risk runs high for children and disabled elderly individuals.

Dealing with bed bug bites can be incredibly stressful and annoying, as they have a fair possibility of invading your space again. Therefore, receiving medical assistance for bed bug bites is not enough. You should take a step-by-step approach to combat the core of the infestation. To help you do that, here are some measures that can be taken for effective action.

Inspection – Start by scrutinizing every nook and corner of your room for signs of bed bugs. Look through the bed, furniture, carpet, etc. to gauge the level of damage done. At times, bed bugs can be hard to spot, so use some extra light and magnifying glass to catch them. Similarly, if you are a pet owner, then regularly check your pet’s body as well as their bedding for bite marks and leftover body shells of the pests.

De-clutter – Bed bugs prosper in areas where there a high amount of mess. For instance, if you discover signs of bed bugs on your mattress, instantly clear the area around your bed. Move the bedside tables, remove books, clothes, lamps, etc. away from it to confine the infestation to a single spot.

Eliminate and clean – After you identify the areas of bed bug infestation, start the hygiene process. This includes cleaning the bed sheets, pillow cases, curtains, etc. in hot water. When it comes to the mattress, start polishing its surface with a sturdy brush. This will help to scrape out the bed bugs as well as any of their eggs. Post scrubbing, deep clean the mattress with a vacuum. If the mattress is heavily affected by bed bugs, dispose it. Similarly, check for any crevices or cracks in the furniture to get it repaired or replaced.

Get your home treated – If you come across extreme signs of bed bug infestation, then get your home or premises treated with the help of a pest exterminator. This will ensure an absolute elimination of bed bugs from your space.

Examine secondhand products – At times, bed bugs can be a result of introducing secondhand products in your personal space. These could include mattresses, beds, cupboards, carpets, etc. If you are keen on getting any of these, then it is advised that you meticulously observe every nook and cranny of the product.