Bed bugs are a scourge that affects a lot of homes in France every year. These insects live mainly in our bedding and feeding on human blood is harmful to the health of the occupants of the infested house. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome it with certain methods whose effectiveness is proven.
Mechanical methods of combating bedbugs
You should resort to these methods as soon as you detect bed bug infestation. The earlier the treatment, the more effective these methods are.
These methods should be used as a first resort, before using chemicals. They consist of:
- Carefully vacuum the whole house, passing through every nook and cranny. Also pass on mattresses, curtains, and all linens. Suction does not kill bedbugs, so it is important to destroy them by vacuuming at the end of the insecticide or spraying some into the vacuum cleaner duct.
- Clean textiles in the washing machine at least 60 °C. For clothes that do not support this type of washing, it is possible to dry them without washing them beforehand or to freeze them at -20°C for at least 72 hours.
- Use a steam cleaner to remove bedbugs from all mattresses and linens. A switch to steam at 110°C or even 180°C, which is more effective, kills all bed bugs, including in the depths of mattresses and the nooks and crannies of the bedroom.
- Discard infested furniture in which bed bugs have taken up residence and from which it is impossible to dislodge them.
- Spread diatomaceous earth on the passage of bedbugs. This natural substance attaches to insects and dehydrates them until they die in 5-15 days. Diatomaceous earth should be handled with care, as it can be toxic to humans and pets.
Chemical methods of combating bedbugs
In case of failure of mechanical methods, you can resort to chemical methods of combating bedbugs. Although insecticidal products targeting bed bugs can be purchased by the general public in specialized stores, they remain toxic and of restrictive use. It is therefore recommended to use a specialized company.
Insecticides are applied at least twice, with an interval of two weeks so that all eggs and larvae are killed. Disinsection companies usually use insecticides of two types, one diffused by fumigation in each room to be treated and the second sprayed on potential hiding places and crossing points of bedbugs.
After the intervention of the company, it is forbidden to vacuum or wash the floors for at least a month.
How do you know if your home is infested with bed bugs?
It is sometimes difficult to detect the presence of bed bugs early. These insects come out only at night and are small in size, although as adults they are the size of a lens. Larvae and eggs are even more difficult to detect, as they are small in size and light in color. However, you can be sure that your home is infested with bed bugs if you observe the following three signs.
Black spots
Bed bugs feed on the blood of people who occupy the infested bed and produce droppings that look like blood points. These small black spots can be found on sheets, duvets, pillows, or mattresses and are indisputable proof of the presence of these insects.
Blood trails
When bed bugs come out to feed at night, they can cause itching and pain, causing the bitten person to roll over in bed, crushing bedbugs. This crushing leaf traces in the bed in the form of blood trails.
Bites
Bed bug bites are strongly reminiscent of mosquitoes. They leave red traces and sometimes cause intense itching. The marks left by the bites can disappear quickly or, in some people, induce an allergic reaction in the form of painful blisters.
Sometimes two people occupy the same bed, but only one is stitched. This is due to the fact that bedbugs, at the beginning of the infestation, preferably bite the person who gives off the most heat.
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