How do bedbugs bite people and how to get rid of them? - briefly
Bedbugs feed by inserting a tiny needle‑like proboscis into the skin, delivering saliva that numbs the area and prevents clotting, which results in raised, itchy welts. Effective elimination combines meticulous laundering, vacuuming, mattress encasements, and either professional pesticide application or whole‑room heat treatment.
How do bedbugs bite people and how to get rid of them? - in detail
Bedbugs attach to the skin with their elongated mouthparts, pierce the epidermis, and inject a small amount of saliva that contains anticoagulants and anesthetic compounds. The anesthetic prevents the host from feeling the puncture, while the anticoagulant keeps blood flowing. After a brief feeding period—typically five to ten minutes—the insect withdraws, leaving a shallow, red welch that may develop into a raised, itchy bump within hours. Bites often appear in linear or clustered patterns on exposed areas such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. The saliva can cause allergic reactions of varying intensity, ranging from mild erythema to severe pruritus and secondary infection if scratched.
Effective elimination requires a systematic approach:
- Inspection: Examine seams, mattress tufts, bed frames, and cracks in walls or furniture for live insects, shed skins, or fecal spots (dark specks). Use a flashlight and a magnifying lens for thoroughness.
- Isolation: Remove all bedding, clothing, and fabrics from the infested area. Seal each item in a plastic bag and launder at ≥60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes; alternatively, place items in a freezer set to ≤‑18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days.
- Physical removal: Vacuum carpets, floorboards, and upholstered furniture using a HEPA‑rated filter. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and dispose of it outdoors.
- Chemical treatment: Apply a registered insecticide formulated for bedbugs to cracks, crevices, and the undersides of furniture. Follow label directions precisely, ensuring adequate coverage and proper ventilation.
- Encasement: Encase mattresses and box springs in certified bedbug-proof covers to trap any remaining insects and prevent re‑infestation.
- Monitoring: Deploy interceptor traps beneath each leg of the bed and furniture. Check traps weekly and replace them as needed.
- Professional assistance: When infestation persists after self‑treatment, engage a licensed pest‑control service that employs integrated pest management, including heat treatment (heating rooms to 45–50 °C for several hours) or steam application to penetrate hard‑to‑reach areas.
Consistent execution of these steps, combined with vigilant housekeeping—regularly washing linens, reducing clutter, and sealing entry points—will suppress the population and eventually eradicate the pest.