Bedbugs 101: Everything you need to know
If you happen to be Googling 'bedbugs'. chances are that you may have a creepy crawly giving you the jitters come night fall. Many of us have been in the exact same position before and know what it feels like to be attacked by tiny creatures you can't see.
No, you're not going crazy. And those 3am calls to your BFF/mum saying you've got something living in your bed, and it's not your significant other, are not over the top.
Bedbugs are real and don't just live in that children's rhyme, "good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite," you said when you were four.
So, we know you have a million questions, like what they are, what they look like, how to know if you've got them and the mother of all questions, how on earth do you get rid of the little buggers?
Well, fear not my friends, because we are coming to your rescue, so you can finally go back to getting a good night sleep once and for all.
What are bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small reddish-brown insects that often live on bedding or furniture and only come out at night.
As they feed on blood, they bite exposed skin of humans and animals while they are sleeping; the most common areas being the back of your neck, shoulders, arms, and legs.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bedbugs cannot jump or fly but they crawl at a rapid pace and can live for several months without a blood meal, making it difficult at times to know if you have an infestation until you are bitten.
What do bedbugs look like?
Bedbugs can vary in colour from dark yellow to red or brown and are around 5mm long when fully grown. PestWorld explains that the bugs change size after feeding, starting out they are a flat broad oval shape which becomes swollen and elongated after feeding.
How to know if you've been bitten by a bedbug?
Bedbugs bites are very itchy and can be hard to differentiate between other common bug bites. Most people find that a swollen red spot forms one day after being bitten, which is often be mistaken for a mosquito bite.
While some bite marks may be random, one of the most common signs that you've been bitten by bedbugs is when the bites appears in a straight line.
Not all people have the same reaction to bedbugs bites though. "The same bedbug could bite two different people and one could have no reaction at all and the other can have an extreme reaction with a swollen arm or itchy rash,” Manager of pest control company Rentokil Steritech, Eric Braun, tells Everyday Health.
"Other symptoms can include insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems that arise from profuse scratching of the bites," notes the CDC.
How to treat bedbug bites
The NHS says that most bites clear up on their own in a week or two. In the meantime, there are things you can do to ease discomfort, like putting a damp cloth on the affected area to help with swelling, keeping the area clean and most importantly avoiding scratching the bites to avoid the risk of infection.
For those who just can't seem to leave the bites alone, you can buy over-the-counter soothing steroid creams or antihistamines at your local pharmacy. If all of the above fails and the bites are still painful and swollen, or redness is spreading around the affected areas, you should consult your local GP.
Other signs to look out for
While bites are the most common signs of bedbugs, if you're still unsure, check your bedding to see if you have any spots of blood on your sheets that can be caused from bites or squashing the bugs in your sleep.
According to the NHS, small brown stains on your sheets from the insects faeces is also another sign that it's not just your usual mozzie that's keeping you up at night.
Can bedbugs cause health issues?
Bedbugs are not known to spread diseases, although, severe scratching can increase the chance of skin infections. The CDC says the parasites are not considered dangerous, unless you have a serious allergic reaction, which may require medical attention.
Where do bedbugs live?
Many people think the parasites only live in mattresses, however, they can also be found in bed frames, headboards and other objects around the bed, as well as clothing, furniture and even under loose wallpaper, according to the NHS.
Although travellers staying in hostels or places that have a high turnover of guests are at greater risk of encountering bedbugs, that doesn't mean your home is automatically safe.
New York State Health outlines that bedbugs can come into the home from other infested areas, used furniture or be transferred from luggage, purses or backpacks. They can also travel between rooms in multi-unit apartment buildings.
According to the Pest World, the most unusual places they can hide are purses, stuffed animals, in florescent light bulbs, school buses and aeroplanes. Yikes!
How to get rid of bedbugs
Wash everything. Put all of your affected bedding and clothing in a hot wash on 60 degrees celsius for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, if you don't have a washing machine, you can put them in a plastic bag in the freezer in -16 degrees celsius for four days.
Clean thoroughly. Next, get out the vacuum and clean all areas of your home, as they can be found in both dirty and clean places. Make sure to pull out your mattress and get into all the nooks and crannies they could be hiding.
Call in reinforcements. While these are all good preventive measures the NHS notes that is highly unlikely that you'll be able to get rid of the bugs on your own, so your best bet is to contact pest control or your local council.
How to prevent bedbugs
Try to not keep a lot of clutter around your bed and make sure to check all second-hand furniture before bringing it inside the house, same goes with luggage and clothing, if you think you have been somewhere where you think there are bedbugs, double check all soft cloth items just in case.
So, there you have it folks, everything you could possibly ever need to know about bedbugs and how to ensure they don't fill your life with a lack of sleep deprivation or anxiety ever again, so you can sleep safe and sound.
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