“Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite” |
| Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite Posted: 15 Sep 2010 09:06 AM PDT Sleepy Eye, Minn. — Bed bugs are rapidly becoming a problem in residences, including homes, apartments, hotels, cruise ships, dormitories, hospitals and shelters once again. After World War II, they were eradicated from most developed countries with the use of DDT. This pesticide has since been banned because it is so toxic to the environment. Though the exact cause is not known, experts suspect the increase is related to increased resistance to pesticides, and the increase in international and domestic travel. The risk of encountering bed bugs increases if you spend time in places with high turnover of night-time guests. They are usually transported from place to place as people travel inside the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, etc. Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals. Hatchling bed bugs are about the size of a poppy seed, adults about ¼ inch in length and are nearly white(after molting) or a light tan to deep brown or burnt orange. Because they never develop wings they cannot fly. They hide during the day by seeking shelter in cracks and crevices of box springs, mattresses, head boards, and bed frames. They can also be found under peeling paint and loose wallpaper, under carpeting near baseboards, in upholstered furniture seams, and under light switch plates or outlets. Because bed bugs can go many months without feeding, they may be present in apparently "vacant" and "clean" apartments, and can wander between apartments through voids in walls and holes that wires and pipes pass. It is very difficult to eliminate them from your home so it is recommended that you seek professional help. One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by bite marks that appear on the face, neck, arms, and hands. They are red, often with a darker red spot in the center. These bites usually occur while people are sleeping therefore most people don't realize they have been bitten. Their bite is similar to a mosquito or flea – a slight swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. The bites may be in a cluster or be in a straight line. Other symptoms are: insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems that arise from profuse scratching. Bed bugs usually don't stay on their human hosts after their meal but may take refuge in clothes or luggage left on the floor. Despite what you may have heard bed bugs are not known to transmit any infectious diseases. Most bedbug bites require no medical treatment. However you should consult your doctor if you experience an allergic reaction or skin infection from scratching the bites. If you suspect you've been bitten by bedbugs inspect your home at night when the bedbugs are active. Look for dark brown or reddish specks along mattress seams, or light brown casts left from when they molt. Carefully inspect for live crawling bed bugs to insure the infestation is still active. Because there are many small brown bugs it is critical to ensure the bugs are correctly identified. The redness and itching usually goes away within a week or two. To speed your recovery you can use a hydrocortisone cream, and an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl. If a skin infection develops from itching your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. Bedbugs don't care if their environment is clean or dirty all they need is a warm blooded host and hiding places. The best approach to eliminating these pests is to consult a pest control operator and work out an elimination plan with them. If you would like more information you can go online at http://www.cdc.gov and look up bedbugs.
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