Having a good night's sleep could be next to impossible if your bed is infested with bed bugs. Suffering from a bed bug bite can be equal to a nightmare, as it can be very itchy and distressing. While bed bugs are surely a pest to life, it is good to know there is a plethora of solutions to the problems they present.



Know your enemy. Scientifically known as "Cimes lectularius", bed bugs are tiny, wingless insects that can be found anyplace in the world. Bed bugs operate similarly to nocturnal parasites meanings they active in finding human hosts during nighttime and are normally asleep during the day. They situate themselves in on mattresses and bedding where they can easily find a source of food.

Bed bugs bite using their highly developed mouth parts and they usually attack when the person occupying the bed is fast asleep. These parts include an elongated peak that can easily pierce the skin and suck blood. The engorgement period only takes a short period to complete finishing as fast as less than a minute to lasting for as long as three minutes. However, a bed bug bite is painless and the human host will only be able to determine that he has been victimized long after the bed bug has finished the meal.

A bed with many holes and tears may be very uncomfortable for the person sleeping on its but this is the perfect hiding place for bed bugs. Bed bugs are not picky on where they want to stay as long as they have someone to bite.

Bed bugs can live in sleeping bags, egg foam, cardboard stacks or even water beds. Water beds have nooks and crannies and are usually warm, which is the preferred temperature of bed bugs.

Bite it. You know you have been bitten by a bed bug if you see large wheals. These wheals eventually become a small red mark that only last for a few days. The bite is also made in orderly rows unlike the random pattern made by mosquitoes and could become itchy.

The worst beg bug bites are those that swell and form blisters or even those that result in small loss of skin tissue. It is interesting to note that not all bites or any bite-like reactions are caused by bed bugs. Those bitten should try to find the bugs themselves or consult a specialist.

Those bitten should not be too worried about getting any hazardous disease from a bed bug bite. The medical significance of the bites is limited mainly to inflammation and itching. Washing the bite with soap and water is the proper way to immediately treat bites. Various anti-itch creams are available in drugstores.

Scratching the affected area is a sure way to make it worse, as this normally results to an infection. Using an icepack is also advisable to minimize swelling. If the pain gets to severe, taking a prescribed pain-killing medication will help. Spraying DDT has been a popular practice of getting rid of bed bugs years ago but has been banned because of the possible complications it might cause to humans. Treatments available today are more focused and judicious. Inspecting a bed bug infestation usually takes a few hours. Homeowners that hire professionals to solve their bed bug problems should follow certain procedures before a room or house if treated.

Garments or beddings that are badly infested need to be discarded, as these cannot be sprayed with insecticides. Reducing clutter is also a requirement. Rooms filled with belongings will just slowdown inspection and treatment.

Garments or bedding badly infested need to be discarded, as these cannot be sprayed with insecticides. Reducing clutter is also a requirement. A room filled with belongings will just slowdown inspection and treatment.

Bed bugs cannot survive any area with temperature of below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, any attempt to kill bed bugs by chilling a room has a low chance of success, as the cold temperature should be maintained for at least two weeks. Pest-control experts normally use a wide array of aerosols, low-odor sprays or dusts.

Maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness is the best way to avoid bed bug bites. Bed sheets should be changed at least once a week and floors especially those carpeted need to be vacuumed frequently. If possible, locate the home of the bedbugs and spray it with a special insecticide to kill a considerable number of these unwanted visitors.