Bed bugs Basics

Bed bugs are a group of tiny insects that feed on blood of humans and any mammals. So, your pets are at a risk too. While not limited to a specific time of the say, they mostly feed at night while we sleep. Especially, the grown adult bed bugs. It’s important to learn how to identify and distinguish them from other common domestic insects are cockroach nymphs, biscuit beetles, fleas, ticks, termites, etc.

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Important points you must consider before planning to fight bed bugs DIY

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1. You need to be highly dedicated, accurate and consistent in what you do. You will only win if you eradicated them all and establish preventive methods effectively. Because even a single female with eggs can rebuild the bed bug colony 

2. It is a process and there is no magical single dose problem solving methods or easy fixes

3. You should be read to invest some money even if you are planning DIY. However, based on your current level of infestation, if at the early stage, cost will be significantly low doing DIY compared to paying for professional pest control services

4. If you are currently mentally distressed about bedbugs; take a deep breath, do something relaxing, calm yourself and build the focus. 

5. Sometimes if the infestation is widely spread, and you might not have the capacity to do what’s necessary or access to relevant resources. Then, most effective at that point will be seeking professional assistance. However, in most cases, you simply got this.

How to Identify Bed bugs

They are small, typically 1-5mm in length and very light to dark brown depending on which stage of life they are. Shape varies from round to oval. Female commonly have a rounder shape from the bottom where adult males tend to be towards oval shape. Most distinct features that you would differentiate their gender is that the neck portion will be prominently exposed in males while almost fully connected to the body appearance in females. Refer to the images given here and in bugs photo gallery captured by Nalaka Daundaratne and team to help identifying bed bugs more precisely. 

How to Find Bed bugs

Early detection is crucial to prevent the problem grow into a major bed bugs infestation where DIY methods can be less effective. 

Bed bugs bites 

Commonly the first indicator is the uncomfortable bites that they cause on our bodies. You may develop visible red bite marks, rudeness on skin, itchiness, rash or hives. Remember, some might not experience any of these symptoms. While severe allergic reaction is most unlikely, one can show symptoms of skin allergy. Refer to bed bugs bites and remedies section by Nalaka Daundaratne.

Visual clues of that you have bed bugs

1. You may find them biting or crawling on your body

2. Black spotting and cloudy stains made by bedbug waste or excretions 

3. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you will see either few on the bed or many

4. They hide in cracks of the bed frame, boarders and crevices of the mattress or any folded space that can hide

5. On your clothes. Especially, on racks and closets in your bedroom

6. Cracks on rough walls and gaps between side skirtings of wall and floor

7. Inside the spaces of power outlets

8. On your pets