Find out about the bed beds: your habits, identification and how to prevent and treat infestations. Stay informed and protect your home.

Bed there are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They belong to the Cimicidae family and are usually found in beds, furniture and other areas where people sleep or rest. His scientific name is Cimex Lectularius.

These tiny creatures have a flat and oval body and the approximate size of an apple seed. They are usually brown or reddish brown, although their appearance may vary depending on their age and if they have fed recently. The bedbugs are insects without wings that move rapidly through soils, walls and ceilings, which makes them effective autoestopists.

They are more active at night and are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide produced by the human being when breathing. They are mainly nocturnal pests and can be found in places other than beds, such as cracks and furniture of furniture, behind the wallpaper or in electrical appliances.

Bowl infestation can cause several problems. Although their bites are usually painless at the beginning, they can later become red ranks that bite. Scratching the bites can cause secondary cutaneous infections. In addition, bedbugs can cause significant psychological discomfort and insomnia nights to those affected by their presence.

1. The vital cycle of the bedbug consists of egg, nymph and adult. During his life, which usually lasts from 6 to 12 months, females bugs can put hundreds of eggs.
2. Bowls have a remarkable ability to survive without feeding for several months. They can support a wide range of temperatures, but prefer tempered to warm climates.
3. Among the effective methods to control and eradicate bedroom infestations are thorough cleaning, aspiration and the use of chemical insecticides. Professional extermination is often necessary to completely eliminate bed bugs.

What is a Bedbug?

These wingless parasites are usually brown in color and have a flat, oval body. Adult bed bugs can measure between 5 and 7 millimeters, while nymphs (young bed bugs) are smaller and lighter in color. They have six legs, short antennae and a body covered in microscopic hairs.

• Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can easily attach themselves to clothing, luggage and other personal belongings to spread from one place to another.
• They are usually found in homes, hotels, student residences and public transportation, where there is a large movement of people.
• Bed bugs are mostly active at night and are attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide, so they tend to bite humans while they sleep.

“Bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate due to their ability to hide in small cracks and crevices, as well as their resistance to many common insecticides,” says Dr. Michelle Thompson, an entomologist specializing in pest control.

Bed bug infestations can cause great distress and anxiety to individuals and families. Detecting and eliminating bed bugs often requires professional pest control services and a thorough cleaning and disinfection process.

1. Proper hygiene and regular cleaning can help prevent bed bug infestations.
2. Sealing cracks and crevices in walls, furniture and floors can reduce hiding places for bed bugs.
3. Using protective covers on mattresses and pillows can prevent bed bugs from infesting these areas.

Understanding the Basics of Bedbugs

One of the main characteristics of bed bugs is their size and appearance. Adult bed bugs are usually the size of an apple seed, with an oval body and a reddish-brown color. They have a flat body, which allows them to hide in crevices and tight spaces, such as the seams of mattresses, bed frames, and crevices of furniture. Additionally, they have six legs and two antennae.

• Physical appearance of bed bugs
• Small and flat shape
• Size similar to that of an apple seed
• oval body
• Reddish brown color
• Flat body for easy concealment
• Six legs and two antennas

Important note: Bed bugs are skilled hitchhikers and can easily travel from one place to another via luggage, clothing, and second-hand furniture. It is essential to take preventive measures and periodically inspect homes to avoid infestations.

The Physical Characteristics of Bedbugs

Size and color: Adult bedbugs usually measure between 4 and 5 millimeters in length, which is equivalent to the size of an apple seed. However, its size may vary depending on their vital stage and whether they have fed recently. When they do not feed, bedbugs are usually flat and oval, but they swell and lengthen after feeding. As for color, bedbugs vary from translucent or light brown to a reddish brown tone.

Curious fact: bedbugs can acquire a more reddish color after feeding with blood, since their abdomen is filled with blood.

• Body structure: The body of a bug is divided into three main parts: head, thorax and abdomen. They have six robust legs and wel l-developed antennas. His head is equipped with a couple of compound eyes, a long and segmented proboscis (oral part) and two small hoo k-shaped structures called maxillary stilettes, which are used to pierce the skin and extract blood.
• They have no wings: unlike many other insects, bed bugs have no wings and cannot fly. However, they are skilled climbing and can be dragged by various surfaces, such as walls, upholstery and bedding, using their specialized legs and adhesive pads.

Knowing the physical characteristics of bed bugs is crucial to identify and control infestations. By recognizing their distinctive features, people can take appropriate measures to effectively protect and address any bedroom problem.

How Bedbugs Infest Homes and Hotels

When it comes to infesting homes and hotels, bedbugs have several strategies to find new guests and establish their presence. A habitual way of spreading is through human transport. They can travel in the luggage, clothes or furniture, which allows them to travel great distances and infest new environments. That is why it is important to be cautious when staying in hotels or visit houses that may have been exposed to bed bugs.

Key points:

1. Bugs are parasitic insects that feed on blood.
2. They can be found in several places, not only in the beds.
3. Human transport is a common way that bugs infest new areas.
4. Being cautious when traveling or staying in hotels can help prevent infestations.

Health Risks Associated with Bedbug Bites

When bedbugs bite, they inject their saliva into the skin to avoid blood clotting. This saliva contains various proteins and compounds that can trigger allergic reactions in some people. The usual symptoms of bed bug bites are itching, redness and swelling in the place of the sting. However, for especially sensitive people or with pr e-existing allergies, these bites can cause more serious reactions.

Allergic reactions: For people with hypersensitivity to bed bug bites, an allergic reaction known as bedbug induced hypersensitivity can occur. This reaction can cause intense itching, blisters and even anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially deadly allergic response.

In addition to allergic reactions, bed bug bites can also cause secondary skin infections. The constant scratch of the bites that bite can break the skin, providing a pathway for bacteria to enter the body. Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as staphylococcal infection, is a bacterium that usually associates with this type of skin infections.

Cutaneous infections: scratching in excess bug bites can cause skin infections, such as cellulite, which is a bacterial infection that can cause redness, swelling and heat in the affected area. If not, cellulite can be extended to other parts of the body and require medical intervention.

To prevent bed bug bites and reduce the associated health risks, it is essential to take proactive measures to eliminate or control bedbred infestations. The periodic inspection and cleaning of the inhabited areas, the use of protective cover and the search for professional pest control services are effective strategies to minimize the possibilities of meeting bed bugs.

Preventing and Getting Rid of Bedbug Infestations

The prevention of bedroom infestations implies a combination of proactive actions and attentive surveillance. Following these preventive measures, the risk of infestation can be reduced considerably:

1. Inspect and protect the area where it sleeps: regularly examine the mattress, somier and bed header in search of bed bug signs, such as dark spots, reddish or oxidized spots, or livegas. Use mattress protective covers designed specifically to prevent bedbug infestations.
2. Clear and reduce the hiding places: Bags are excellent to hide in cracks, clefts and disorderly areas. Keep your home ordered and reduce the disorder to eliminate possible hiding places.
3. Be cautious when traveling: When staying in hotels or other accommodations, thoroughly inspect the room for signs of bed bugs. Keep luggage elevated and away from the bed and furniture. When you return, wash your clothes in hot water to kill any bed bugs that may have traveled.

Remember that prevention is key to avoiding bed bug infestations. Regular inspections, clutter reduction, and caution when traveling are essential to keeping these pests at bay.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, you need to act quickly to eliminate the problem. Follow these steps to effectively get rid of bed bugs:

• Isolate infested objects: Place infested clothing, bedding, and furniture in sealed plastic bags to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas of your home. Label bags and avoid moving infested items through non-infested areas.
• Vacuum thoroughly: Use a vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag or a tightly closed bagless canister. Vacuum all areas where bed bugs may hide, including seams in mattresses, crevices in furniture, and baseboards. Discard the vacuum cleaner bag immediately after use.

It is important to remember that bed bug eradication may require a combination of treatments and repeated efforts. Seek professional advice if the infestation persists despite your efforts.

Common Misconceptions about Bedbugs

1. Bed bugs are only found in dirty or unhealthy environments.

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not exclusive to dirty or messy spaces. While it is true that they can be found in unhygienic places, they can also infest clean and well-maintained homes. These insects are opportunistic and can easily attach themselves to luggage, clothing or furniture, allowing them to travel and infest various environments.

2. Bed bugs are only active at night.

Although bedbugs are usually associated with night bitings, they are not strictly nocturnal insects. Although they are more active in the dark and their feeding guidelines are usually altered by the presence of light, bed bugs can chop during the day if they are hungry and the opportunity occurs. It is important to note that bedbugs are attracted to carbon dioxide emitted by human beings, so they tend to chop while they sleep.

1. Myth: Beds only sting at night, when people sleep.

Reality: bedbugs can chop during the day if they are hungry and detect the presence of a human.

What to Do if You Encounter Bedbugs

Below are some measures that you can take if you find bed bugs:

1. Aisle the infested area: if you discover bedbugs at home, it is crucial to contain infestation to prevent it from extending to other areas. Start by isolating the affected room or area by closing all windows and doors.
2. Clean thoroughly and disorderly: bedbugs tend to hide in messy areas, so it is essential to mess and clean the affected space. Remove all unnecessary objects, pass the vacuum to the ground and eliminate the possible hiding places of the bedbugs.
3. Wash the bedding and infested clothes: bedding and clothes that have been in contact with bedbug should be washed with hot water and dry with the highest possible temperature. This will help kill any bug or egg that may be present.

Note: It is advisable to consult a professional pest control service to effectively eradicate the bed bugs of your home. They have the experience and the necessary tools to guarantee a complete extermination and prevention in the future.

Prevention of future infestations

• Selle cracks and clefts: Use putty to seal any crack or cleft on walls, furniture and sockets to prevent the bedbugs from hiding and reproducing.
• Inspect used furniture and clothes: before entering used furniture or clothes at home, inspect them thoroughly to detect any bedroom sign. Look for dark spots, detached skins or live beds.
• Use protective covers: Cover the mattresses and somieres with covers specially designed to bedpile to avoid infestations.

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Author of the article

Dr.Greenblatt M.

Medical oncologist at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, MD, at the University of Vermont