Bedbugs: how do they bite and how to get rid of them? - briefly
Bedbugs pierce the skin with their elongated mouthparts, inject saliva that prevents clotting, and feed for several minutes, leaving itchy, red welts. Effective control combines thorough laundering, vacuuming, sealing cracks, and either targeted chemical treatments or professional heat‑based extermination.
Bedbugs: how do they bite and how to get rid of them? - in detail
Bedbugs feed by inserting their elongated mouthparts into the skin, releasing a small amount of saliva that contains anticoagulants. The saliva prevents blood clotting, allowing the insect to draw a steady stream for several minutes before disengaging. Bites typically appear as red, raised welts grouped in linear or clustered patterns, often itching after a few hours. The insects prefer exposed areas such as the face, neck, arms, and hands, but they will bite any uncovered skin.
The life cycle contributes to infestation severity. An egg hatches into a nymph after about a week; each nymph requires a blood meal to molt, progressing through five stages before reaching adulthood. A mature female can lay 200‑500 eggs over several months, resulting in exponential population growth if unchecked.
Effective eradication combines chemical, physical, and preventive measures:
- Inspection: Examine seams, mattress tags, and nearby furniture for live insects, shed skins, or dark fecal spots.
- Isolation: Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, bedbug‑proof covers; keep covers on for at least one year.
- Heat treatment: Raise room temperature to 50 °C (122 °F) for a minimum of 90 minutes; heat penetrates crevices and kills all life stages.
- Cold exposure: Freeze infested items at –18 °C (0 °F) for at least four days; viable for clothing, linens, and small objects.
- Insecticides: Apply EPA‑registered products containing pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, or desiccants following label instructions; target cracks, baseboards, and furniture joints.
- Vacuuming: Use a HEPA‑filtered vacuum to remove insects and eggs from surfaces; discard the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag outside the home.
- Professional services: Engage licensed pest‑control operators for integrated pest‑management plans, which may include fumigation or specialized heat chambers.
Prevention relies on vigilance during travel and household maintenance:
- Inspect hotel bedding and luggage before unpacking.
- Keep luggage elevated and away from beds.
- Wash and dry clothing on high heat after returning from potentially infested environments.
- Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places.
- Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and furniture.
Monitoring after treatment is essential. Place interceptors under bed legs and use passive traps to detect residual activity for several weeks. Repeat interventions if new bites or insects appear, ensuring complete elimination.