Bedbug bites – appearance, treatment. How to get rid of bedbugs?
Do you know how to recognise bedbugs in your home and what health risks their bites pose? Bedbugs are not only a nuisance but also a potential source of health problems. In this article, you will learn which methods are most effective in the fight against bedbugs and how to protect your home from their reappearance.
How to recognise the presence of bedbugs in your home
A bedbug is a small, oval-shaped insect that is brown in colour, turning reddish after feeding on blood. They are 4 to 5 mm long and their flattened body makes it easier for them to hide in hard-to-reach places.
Bedbugs most often hide in places such as:
- slots in bed frames,
- seams of the mattress,
- gaps in upholstered furniture,
- behind skirting boards.
If you are struggling with a bed bug problem, you can recognise the characteristic bed bug bite by the itchy red marks that appear on the skin of the sleeper. These are often the areas exposed during sleep, such as the arms, neck or back. Quick identification of the presence of bed bugs will allow for early action to be taken and minimise their impact on household members.
Health risks caused by bed bug bites
A bedbug bite can have a negative impact on your health, causing a number of unpleasant symptoms. The most common effect is itchy, red spots on the skin, which are located in groups or lines. These bites can lead to significant discomfort, and scratching them can increase the risk of bacterial infections.
For some people, a bedbug bite can cause an allergic reaction, which manifests itself as intense itching, redness, and even swelling. In extreme cases, systemic reactions such as breathing problems occur. The bite itself does not pose a direct health risk, but improper treatment and ignoring the allergy symptoms can have a negative impact on your overall health.
In the case of a bedbug bite, it is recommended to relieve the symptoms by applying cold compresses, anti-itch creams or antihistamines (in case of an allergic reaction). Avoiding scratching the bitten areas will help prevent infections. In case of severe allergic symptoms, it may be necessary to consult a doctor to prevent the escalation of health problems.
The best methods of fighting bedbugs
The fight against bed bugs requires effective methods that will permanently get rid of these stubborn pests. One of the most effective methods is the use of insecticides, which can be applied by professional pest control companies. These products, containing specially selected chemicals, are designed to effectively eliminate bedbugs at various stages of their development. It is also worth using bedbug traps, which help to monitor their presence and assess the effectiveness of the measures taken.
Another method is thermal disinfection, which involves using high temperatures to remove bedbugs from the apartment. Treatments of this type are very effective, as bedbugs and their eggs are killed at temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. Freezing, i.e. the use of low temperatures, is another effective technique that involves placing infected objects in extreme cold to kill the pests. The choice of the appropriate method depends on the scale of the problem and logistical possibilities. A comprehensive approach combining different techniques is always recommended to ensure a lasting solution to the bedbug problem.
How to protect your home from bedbugs
To protect your home from bedbugs, it is important to implement a strategy to prevent their recurrence. Regularly inspecting places where bedbugs are likely to be found, such as beds and upholstered furniture, will help you to detect the problem early. Keeping your home clean and tidy will make it much more difficult for bedbugs to take up residence, as they prefer cluttered and neglected spaces.
It is worth considering the use of protective barriers, such as mattress covers and bed bug traps, which prevent their spread. It is also important to monitor the spaces where bed bugs most often hide. By using these measures, it will be possible to effectively control bed bugs and the risk of their return will be significantly minimised..