What does a bedbug look like and how can you get rid of it? - briefly
Bedbugs are tiny, flat, oval insects about 5 mm long, reddish‑brown, and wingless, commonly found in mattress seams and furniture crevices. Effective eradication combines thorough vacuuming, hot laundering of affected fabrics, sealing cracks, and applying EPA‑registered insecticides or engaging a licensed pest‑control professional.
What does a bedbug look like and how can you get rid of it? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, oval insects about 4–5 mm long when unfed and expanding to 6–7 mm after a blood meal. Their bodies are dorsoventrally flattened, lacking wings, and covered with fine hairs. Color ranges from reddish‑brown to dark brown; after feeding they appear brighter and swollen. Six legs end in tiny claws that enable rapid movement across fabric and walls. Antennae consist of five segments, and the mouthparts form a needle‑like proboscis for piercing skin.
Signs of an infestation include rust‑colored spots on sheets, which are digested blood, and tiny white eggs attached to seams. Live insects may be found in mattress seams, box‑spring crevices, headboards, and behind baseboards. Bites often appear in linear or clustered patterns on exposed skin, typically accompanied by itching.
Effective eradication combines several actions:
- Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places.
- Wash all bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Vacuum mattresses, furniture, and floor surfaces thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately.
- Apply a certified insecticide spray to cracks, seams, and baseboards, following label instructions and ensuring proper ventilation.
- Use diatomaceous earth or silica gel in crevices; these desiccants damage the insect’s exoskeleton.
- Install encasements on mattresses and box springs that are zipper‑sealed to trap any remaining bugs.
- Consider heat treatment: raise room temperature to 50 °C for several hours, or employ professional steam devices on infested areas.
When infestation persists after these measures, enlist a licensed pest‑control professional. They can perform whole‑room heat remediation or targeted chemical applications that exceed the capacity of consumer‑grade products. Regular monitoring with interceptor traps beneath bed legs helps verify successful elimination and prevents re‑establishment.