What are Bedbugs? & How to Get Rid of Them Now
Bedbugs have arrived in the UK along with the rest of Europe.
If you are like me then this is just something that you don’t need in life right now in fact anytime.
This blog post tells you: what bedbugs are, what bedbugs look like, how do you get bedbugs, where bedbugs live and hide, how & where to check for bedbugs.
As well as products and ways to get rid of bedbugs and a bedbug infestation.
This blog post may contain affiliate links.
What Are Bedbugs?
- Bed bugs are small insects, the size of an apple seed roughly around 5-7 mm.
- There are just two types of Common bed bugs and Tropical bed bugs (Cimex hemipterus): Common bed bugs can live anywhere however Tropical bed bugs, need a higher temperature so reside in tropical and subtropical countries.
- Bed bugs can survive and be active at temperatures as low as 7°C (46°F), but they die from 45°C (113°F). Source EPA
- They feed on blood by biting people, usually at night leaving wounds that can be itchy skin rashes and may have allergic symptoms but do not usually cause other health problems.
About Bedbugs Bites
This was a shocker to me because I’ve always thought that bed bug bites were red raised blotches. However it turns out that bites on the skin are a poor indicator of a bed bug infestation.
Bed bug bites can look like bites from other insects (such as mosquitoes or chiggers), rashes (such as eczema or fungal infections), or even hives.
Here’s the big one … Some people do not react to bed bug bites at all. WTH
How the hell do you get bedbugs?
These pesky insects often live on and/or in furniture or bedding and can spread via clothing and/or luggage.
So, they can easily be transported but US in normal every day living.
Pest control services company Rentokil 65% increase in infestations from the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same period this year. Source – Bloomberg.
So you know what that means … been mindful not only where you throw your bags and coats whether that’s a hotel, office, supermarket (trolley), taxi, public transport, etc. (My grandmother is always telling me not to put my bag on the floor) but also where you sit, sleep etc.
How do you know you have bedbugs? Where do they hide?
This is what we all need to know, where the flip do they hide?
Well This will blow your mind: Bedbugs are not attracted to dirty beds they are attracted to warm hiding places with access to blood and carbon dioxide.
They hide in a pile of clothes, the bottom of the curtains near your bed, bedside lamp, plug sockets, corners of your drawers, any flipping where.
So you know what this means: declutter and hoover everywhere.
Possible Solutions
Depending on the infestation, treating bed bugs can be stressful, frustrating, complex and can take months.
There is always the option of using a pest control company but here are several potential solutions for bedbug problems with two verified and highly recommended options.
1. Door sweeps on the bottom of doors will limits the spread of the bedbugs throughout the hallway and others rooms.
Amazon
3. Storage boxes with secured lids to limit hiding places.
Argos
5. Vacuum daily to pick up any stray bugs and be sure to dispose of the dust bag outside.
Shark
7. Cold treatment: Seal items in a sealed bag in the freezer at 0o F for 72 hours.
Amazon
2. Sealing cracks and crevices around baseboards, light sockets, light switches etc. with sealant.
Screw Fix
4. Portable heating chamber can be used to treat any items with bedbugs as long as over 45°C
Amazon
6. Heat treatment: Use a clothes dryer on high heat.
AO
8. Dry or Wet Steam Clean: Verified -Steam fabrics to treat carpets, flooring, rugs, cushions, bed frames, and other furniture at, at least 54.4°C
Shark
9. Chemical Treatment: Verified – Highly recommended for bedbugs:
Indorex Flea Spray for The Home – Control On Fleas, Dust Mites & Bed Bugs
Amazon
Products that DO NOT work on bed bugs.
– Rubbing alcohol and paraffin does not work and it’s crazy dangerous.
– Sticky traps are not for bed bugs.
– Ant and flea powder also do not work for bedbugs.
Have a Spider Problem?
Grab some helpful tips here.
One Comment
Molly | Transatlantic Notes
I have been hearing a lot about the bedbugs in France (and now the UK) as it’s been on the news here in the United States. I recently found out that where I live, we’re in the top 50 cities in the U.S. that are also having a plague of bedbugs so this was a very timely article to read! Thanks for sharing this — it was really useful!