What are the signs of bed bug infestation?
The best ways to get rid of bed bugs
There's nothing worse than a bed bug infestation to leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own home. For many people, just bed bugs pictures can send them into an itching frenzy - so having these pests in their own furnishings can be a nightmare. If you find yourself struggling with a recent infestation, unable to get rid of those bed bug eggs in the long term or are just wondering what the best way to get rid of bed bugs is, we have all the information you need.
If you want to know what kills bed bugs and their eggs instantly, leaving your home pest-free and your bed a safe space, we know the best way to kill bed bugs - and keep your home infestation-free for longer. Knowing how to kill bed bugs can be not only valuable for you now, but if you're looking to move in the near future then having that knowledge can be worth its weight in gold.
Read on to find out more about what you can do to identify an infestation, the best way to act against these home invaders and how to stop them coming back for more.
What are the signs of bed bug infestation?
It can be tricky for the average person to spot the first signs of bed bugs in the home, and often these signs of bed bug infestation can go on for a while without being diagnosed correctly, resulting in many nights of restless sleep, many bites, itching and other complications which can arise from a full-blown invasion of these creatures. In some people, blisters and infections can even occur as a result of these pests - making them a big problem for those living with an infestation.
If you're wondering how to tell if you have bed bugs in your mattress without the appearance of these tell-tale bed bugs symptoms, such as the signs of bed bugs bites or further health complications, often all you need to do is take a closer look at your mattress and other soft furnishings. Bed bugs appear as oven-shaped, flat and small insects, and in an infestation can often be found in larger groups in the cracks and crevices of your mattress or bedding. Because of their darker colouring, they are also reasonably easy to spot in many environments - alerting you to their presence.
But if you can't actually see any of these distinctive apple seed-shaped bugs and you're experiencing the classic bed bugs symptoms, several physical concerns can indicate an active infestation in your home. These can be the first signs of bed bugs for many people, and a warning that they are sharing their bedding with an invasive species. These physical symptoms can include:
- Raised red bumps appearing on the skin that are known as bed bug bites, which in most cases occur painlessly - many people wake up with these bumps without any idea when they occurred
- Itching of the skin in and around these raised bumps
- Bumps that appear in a uniform line across the skin, as opposed to being random
- In some cases, a rash or even fluid-filled blisters as a reaction to these bites
- Infection of the skin as a result of broken skin or excessive scratching
If you've experienced one or more of the above symptoms in the recent months, it's highly likely you have an active pest situation when it comes to bed bugs - and if that's the case, you need to know how to detect them as swiftly as possible.
How to detect bed bugs
It can be difficult at first to jump to the conclusion of an infestation when your only visible symptoms are itchy bites. But over time, a large infestation can lead to constant itching, infections and even sleepless nights. So, how do you detect bed bugs? It can actually be a pretty straightforward process for finding bed bugs and can give you the confirmation you need to go ahead and fight the infestation with the best methods.
There are many techniques for how to find bed bugs during the day, as well as during the night. In many instances, the methods are the same though at night time bed bugs are far more active. However, many methods work at all times for finding bed bugs, but especially those that involve tracing these pests based on their leavings - in other words, their excrement or their shells that they outgrow.
The first thing you should do is go over your bedding and bed area with a fine tooth comb for the following signs - and you'll quickly know if you're suffering from an infestation or not:
- Small white bed bug eggs found in the joints or nooks and crannies of your mattress and bedding area - these can easily be spotted with a bright torch light during nighttime hours
- Black spots or dots on your mattress or bedding, caused by bed bugs defecating
- Hollow shells or skins of bed bugs - these are shed as the bugs continue to grow and can be a tell-tale sign of an infestation that has lasted a while
- Spots of blood on the sheets - often caused by the person rolling on the insects and crushing them during the night
- A musty scent in your bedroom or bedding
If you discover signs of bed bugs in your bedding and sleeping area, it is essential not just to stop there. Bed bugs can commonly be found in many household locations, including on your clothing, inside your books and magazines and even in radios or under the carpet.
It's important to be thorough when detecting these pests to ensure you're able to get rid of them all, providing they cannot repopulate and leading to further bites and even more infested areas of your home. Once you know for sure that your bedroom is infested, it's time to start removing those pests in an effective and practical a method as possible.
The best ways to get rid of bed bugs
There are many methods out there that you can use to get rid of your recently-discovered infestation. Needing to call on those services is more common than you might think - in fact, though The Interior Health Authority doesn't actively track bed bugs, it's been reported* that in Kelowna there are call-outs for these little pests at least once a week.
So if you're wondering how to get rid of bed bugs fast, you're certainly not alone - and with the population of this invasive bug continually increasing, more people than ever are wondering what kills bed bugs for good. Turning to the professionals is a good first move, and is advised by many people who are experts on the insects. Each bed bug treatment is different, from bed bug spray to more traditional methods, but when it comes to how to get rid of bed bugs for good, one option stands out.
For effective bed bugs extermination, bed bugs heat treatment can provide an effective way to rid your home of this pest, and a professional service can leave your house bug-free in practically no time. If you're looking to kill bed bugs quickly and effectively then heat treatment can often be the best fit, as a modern and effective way to treat an infestation.
One of the concerns many people have with using treatments within their home is that traditional fumigation methods introduce toxins into the environment. In contrast, heat treatment is 100% pesticide free, meaning you not only don't have to leave your home for extended periods of time, you also don't have to worry about chemicals getting into your food, clothing or other items around you or your family.
With the latest heat treatments utilizing glycol heat transfer units, the process can be as effortless and quick as it is effective. This technology means your home can be pest-free with no need to throw away furniture or fabric-based items; it's all done without any damage to your belongings whatsoever, as heat technology can penetrate through materials and furnishings. This heat method even kills off bed bug eggs and those in hard to reach places, ensuring that your infestation is gone for good all in one session.
The standard process for heat treatment is simple - just get in contact with the experts, and they will be able to attend your home with heat transfer technology at the ready. This can then be used the same day to get rid of any bed bugs that have invaded your household, no matter how large or small the area. It only takes between 8-12 hours from start to finish, allowing you to be happy and bug-free in your home again in no time. In comparison, traditional pesticide methods are far more disruptive and can take multiple attempts to fully eradicate bed bugs.
If you're unsure about what treatment might be the best fit for your home, speak to the professionals. Not only will experts on the subject be able to advise you on the treatment that's best for you, but they will also know the fundamental ways to prevent repeat infestations, and ensure that your home no longer feels overrun with unwanted guests.
How to prevent bed bugs
If you've come out the other side of a bed bug infestation, the last thing you want to do is experience it again. This is why it's just as important to understand how to avoid bed bugs in the future, as well as how to prevent bed bugs from spreading if you do spot them. There are many different options out here for bed bug prevention products, but the first thing to do is ensure you're vigilant when it comes to things that enter your home.
For better bed bugs control, ensure all second-hand furniture and clothing that may have come into contact with bed bugs is thoroughly checked, and that any signs of an infestation are dealt with immediately. Using a heat treatment on newly introduced objects that may be susceptible to infestation can be an excellent way to keep your home bug-free in the long term, and a good short-term solution to prevent them from entering your property in the first place.
One clear 'must' in how to keep your home bed bug free is ensuring you use an effective treatment, to begin with. With certain sprays or treatments, it's very possible that bed bugs are hiding themselves away in other pieces of furniture, electronics or even the flooring and can re-emerge after treatment. Heat treatment doesn't allow bed bugs to avoid being treated, and as such can ensure no 'relapses' in your home.
Ensuring you are vigilant, consistent and practical is key to success when it comes to eradicating a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are more an issue now in Canada than they have been in many years, and incidences of these infestations show no slowing down. It's important to protect yourself not only to keep your home pest-free, but to ensure you can't pass the infestation on to others in their clothing and personal belongings.
Conclusion
Whether you're curious about the implementations of bed bug extermination, you're struggling with an ongoing bed bug problem, or you're simply looking to learn more about these pests, there's a lot to learn about exactly what can help you get rid of bed bugs, and the best ways in which to keep them away in the long term is also a must to keep your home pest-free.
It's important to remember that when it comes to your home, keeping bed bugs away requires a little extra vigilance, in order to ensure an infestation is identified as swiftly as possible. Working with a professional service once you've uncovered any pests can also make sure they are dealt with as effectively as possible, and using a modern method such as heat treatment leaves bed bugs with no place to hide.
With many cities and towns across Canada experiencing a resurgence in pest control issues, it's more important to be aware of your surroundings than ever before - and remain vigilant when it comes to looking out for bed bugs in your Okanagan Valley home.
