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The surge in reported bedbug infestations is giving new meaning to the words “domestic terrorism.”
Although bed bugs do not spread diseases to humans, there are two health concerns involving the rising infestations of bed bugs globally.
One is treating the rashes that come with bed bug bites.
The second concern is mental health. It is hard going to bed at night worrying about whether your backside is a meal for a bug. Just thinking about it makes people uncomfortable. Disturbed sleep patterns can cause other health problems.
The first concern is easily treated. There are several creams and ointments on the market that will treat the rash. It’s important to wash the bites with anti-bacteriological soap, and resist scratching, which only makes the irritation worse. Some people cut their fingernails so that they don’t inadvertently scratch while sleeping.
Getting rid of the bugs themselves is a much more time consuming task. The little blood-sucking parasites may live anywhere the edge of a credit card can fit.
Armed with a flashlight and a vacuum cleaner you can search for and suck up the elusive pests. Thoroughly vacuum mattresses, box springs, armchairs, couches, dresser drawers, and under the edges of rugs and carpets. Vacuum behind headboards, baseboards, wall hangings, and light switch and electrical socket wall plates. Search for cracks in wall boards and around plumbing fixtures.
In addition to finding bugs hiding or scurrying, be on the look-out for the tiny brown specks of their fecal droppings, their tiny whitish eggs, and drops of blood (yours).
If you are still sure you have a bedbug problem, but can’t find where they are coming from, you might consider using a bedbug dog. Dogs who are trained to find narcotics, explosives, or mold are easily trained to sniff out the sick-sweet smelling Cimex Lectularius, as the common bedbug is known in academic circles.
If bedbugs are discovered, and you can’t eliminate them yourself, then it’s time to call a professional exterminator. There are many different measures you can take, like encasing your bed and box springs in vinyl, but for thorough eradication you should consult a professional.
