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"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!"

The phrase "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" is a familiar rhyme passed down through generations.  Whilst the origin of the rhyme is actually known, one theory is that the phrase "sleep tight" refers to how tightly tucked bed sheets were during the 16th and 17th centuries.  Another theory however suggests that before the introduction of spring mattresses in the 19th century, the mattress was often filled with straw and feathers and placed on a latticework of rope that would need tightening regularly to prevent sagging—and so many have suggested this practice is the origin of the phrase "sleep tight" and that the last part of the phrase "don't let the bed bugs bite" was added later in the late 19th or early 20th century.


Regardless of origin, the phrase has become a popular and light-hearted way to say goodnight, especially to children.


How to identify, treat, and prevent bed bug infestations

Bed bugs are a common household pest that can cause discomfort and frustration.  This post will detail how to identify, eradicate, and prevent future bed bug infestations.


Here are three indications that you may have bed bugs:


Bed bug bites on arm.
Bed bug bites.
  1. You woke up with red and itchy spots on your skin, possibly caused by bed bug bites.

  2. You are finding rust-coloured stains on sheets and pillowcases, possibly caused by bed bug excrement.

  3. You notice a musty odour in your room, possibly caused by bed bug scent glands.


If you notice these signs, read on to learn how to take effective action quickly and before the bed bug takes over your entire home and requiring you to use very expensive extermination methods to get ride of them.


Can you identify a bed bug?

First, you need to know how to identify a bed bug.  A bed bug is small, flat, and oval-shaped and can grow up to 5mm long. They prefer to feed on humans but will also feed on other warm-blooded animals.  When the bed bug sucks your blood, its body changes from a translucent amber colour to blood red.   Their eggs are small, white, and oval-shaped.


We have created the following remix from Mark Rober's Youtube "Bed Bugs- What You've Been Told is Totally False" to help you quickly learn how to identify a bed bug.



Where will you find them?

They tend to live in cracks and crevices in and around your bed, especially in mattress seams and travel on clothing, furniture, bedding and luggage.  The bed bug can conceal itself behind baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery, picture frames, electrical switch plates, and in crevices of furniture.


Bed Bug Evidence (File: Bed_Bug_Evidence.jpg. NY State IPM Program  at Cornell University, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Bed Bug Evidence (File: Bed_Bug_Evidence.jpg. NY State IPM Program at Cornell University, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

After feeding on blood, bed bugs retreat to their hideaway. They will defecate (poop) processed blood, leaving black stains near their resting place. When searching for bed bugs on a bed or head board, look for black faecal stains.


Remember, bed bugs are resilient insects and depending on the climate can live for up to 300 days without food.


11 Steps to exterminate bed bugs from your home

Yes, eliminating bed bugs can be a challenging and demanding process but it is achievable with the right approach.  There are various methods to treat bed bugs, such as using heat, steam, toxic chemicals, or crushed rocks, and with repeated application most often necessary.

 

This post explains how to eliminate bed bugs using steam, heat, and crushed rock.  However, this method is only effective for a small infestation or early detection.  If you have had bed bugs for a while, it may be time to seek help from a professional exterminator.

 

Have you ever had a sleepless night because of bed bugs but felt too embarrassed to seek help or share your experience?

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So, you have confirmed a bed bug infestation exists in your home. What are your next steps?


  1. Remove all clothing and bed linen from the infected room and place in sealed bags.

  2. To prevent creating potential hiding spots, it is recommended to declutter and remove unnecessary items completely or, at a minimum, store them in sealed plastic bags for at least a year.

  3. After removing all the bed linen and clothing, and decluttering the room, it's essential to vacuum the entire room meticulously.  Vacuum the mattress, under the mattress, the ensemble base, cracks and crevices in the bed frame, walls, floor, and anywhere bedbugs can hide.  This will help eliminate any bedbugs present in the room.

  4. It is critical to dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed garbage bag and clean the vacuum outside before bringing it into the house to ensure there are no live bed bugs on the unit.

  5. A regular domestic steamer will kill bed bugs.  Start by steaming all sides of the mattress, pillows, cushions, and bedside tables.  Be sure to utilise the steam around the joins in the carpet and skirting boards, paying particular attention to the mattress, pillows, and bed frame to ensure no live bed bugs remain.

  6. Seal all cracks and crevices in the bed frame, walls, and floors around the bed.

  7. Move the bed away from the wall and separate the bed from each bedside table to ensure no contact between the bed, bedside tables, and walls. This will limit how bed bugs can access your mattress, as they can only do so via the bed legs.

  8. Pillows, clothing, and bed linen must be washed thoroughly in hot water to kill bed bugs and eggs and tumble-dried on the highest heat for at least 45 minutes.  While handling them, be careful not to allow the bed bugs or eggs to escape from the bag.  Tip: If you need to treat an item that won't tolerate steam or high heat, seal it in a bag and place it in a freezer for three days, as this method also kills bed bugs.

  9. Place the mattress in a bed bug encasement to trap the bugs inside and cut off their access to a food source.  Tip: Leave the mattress and pillows in the encasement for at least a year because, as you may recall, that is how long the bed bug can survive without your blood.

  10. Place a bed bug trap detector under each bed / couch leg (make you own trap with household recyclables, sticky tape and talcum powder).

  11. Apply a very light dusting of a food-grade diatomaceous earth product to the area. Note: excess dusting may reduce the effect.  Diatomaceous earth products are inexpensive and registered for use to prevent or exterminate pests like fleas, bed bugs, cockroaches, ticks, spiders, crickets, and other insects.  Always follow the directions for use but be sure to treat:

  • The base of each leg.

  • Bed Frame ensuring to get into any cracks and crevices.

  • Skirting boards and between skirting and floorboards or carpet (including built-ins).

  • In and around power points near the bed. (Safety first: ensure mains power is off).

  • Around bedside tables and inside of empty bedside table drawers.

  • Behind wall art.

  • Between the mattress and frame or ensemble base.

  • Cracks and holes on hardwood floors.


Maintenance over the next 3 weeks

  • Wash or tumble dry bed linen two times a week–hot water and dry using the highest heat.  Note:  The sun does not kill bed bugs.

  • Store dirty clothes in a sealed plastic bag until wash day.

  • Be mindful of clutter and creating hiding spaces.

  • Use a steamer to treat the area around the bed each week.

  • Vacuum the bedroom floor and bed area twice a week, ensuring that you dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed garbage bag. Clean the vacuum unit outside.

  • Re-apply a light dusting of food-grade diatomaceous earth products as above.


Monitoring

After treatment, you should continue to monitor the area for signs of bed bug activity by performing daily inspections of the bed bug traps.


You should seek help from a professional pest control service if you notice bed bug activity after following the above procedure at least three times.  The infestation might be more severe than you have perceived, and the bed bugs could be hiding in areas that are hard to reach and eliminate by yourself.  Professional assistance can help you get rid of them completely.


Preventing Future Infestations

Congratulations on successfully getting rid of the bed bugs in your home! It is crucial that you take measures to prevent them from returning. To help you manage bed bugs in the future, here are some useful tips to keep in mind:


  • Inspect second-hand furniture: Before bringing any used furniture into your home, inspect it thoroughly for signs of bed bugs.  If you find any, do not bring it home.

  • When travelling: inspect your accommodation for bed bugs.  When inspecting check for blood spots on the sheets and mattress and inspect mattress seams and headboard. Avoid placing luggage directly on beds or floors and utlise the luggage rack.

  • Use protective covers:  It is important to encase your mattress and pillows with protective covers which are specifically designed to keep bed bugs out.

  • Vacuum frequently:  Vacuum your home frequently, especially around your bed and other areas where bed bugs are likely to hide.

  • Reduce hiding spots: Reduce the number of places where bed bugs can hide by decluttering your home and sealing cracks and crevices in walls and baseboards.

We invite you to share your questions and experiences related to this topic in the comments section below.


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Source: Bing Conversations, December 2023.


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