Bedbug Feeding on a Human
Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown, flattened insects that feed solely off the blood of animals or humans. They are nocturnal creatures and love to hide close to where they feed--between mattresses, in headboards, box springs and bed frames. Bedbugs characteristically leave reddish or rusty colored spots of blood on the sheets or mattresses. They are extremely resilient, surviving cold temperatures and more than a year without a blood meal.
Eliminate Entry Points
Look for common entrance points for bedbugs into your home such as holes, pipes, cracks or areas around wiring. Seal any potential points of entry to prevent further infestation. Caulk is typically a good way to block off these entry points.
Locating the Source
Check pillows, bedsheets, mattresses, bed frames, night tables--essentially all furniture in the room where the infestation is. Bedbugs leave visible bloods stains, indicating where they have been. If bedbugs are discovered in a hole in a pillow or mattress, it's best to throw out the item rather than risk re-contamination. Some furniture, such as bed frames, must be disassembled because bedbugs hide in cracks and crevices.
Cleanliness is Key
Don't overlook anything as a possible hiding place. Bedbugs can hide in luggage, furniture, clothing, shoes and toys. Anything left lying around is a target. This is a good time to clean up clutter lying around the house, on the floor or under beds. When picking up items in an infested area, place them into bags and seal them shut to prevent further contamination. Vacuuming all affected or suspected areas, including floors and furniture, is another proactive step. Wash bedsheets, pillow cases, blankets, stuffed animals and area rugs in hot, soapy water. Then wash these same items once a week for two to three weeks until all evidence of the bedbugs is gone.
Using heat
Make sure you use enough heat when drying items. When putting items that can fit into a clothes dryer--clothing, rugs, toys and backpacks--the dryer should be run on high heat for 45 minutes. Extended exposure to high heat has a better chance to kill the bedbugs. For those living in desert climates in excess of 113 degrees, linens and clothing may be hung out in the sun to destroy bedbugs.
Steam Cleaning
Use steam treatments on upholstered items with less than 1/2 inch of penetration. There is very limited advantage to using this method on mattresses or furniture that has thickness greater than 1/2 inch.
Sprays
Spray rubbing alcohol on infected areas to kill some bedbugs on contact. Fruit and vegetable insecticides made of canola oil and pyrethrins are a natural remedy that are safe to use around pets and children.
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