Are bed bugs bugging you at home? Read this.
Bed bugs are dreaded by many homeowners, especially because they are hard to handle. As small as five millimetres, they leave irritating bite marks and unhygienic debris. These agile bugs bite the skin and usually leave unwanted residue and stains on your mattress. Female bugs can lay hundreds of eggs lifetime. The cycle will repeat and can reproduce three generations annually.
If you're dealing with mattress bed bugs, it's time to make a move and bust the nuisance before going through a large infestation. In this guide, we’ll go over how they accumulate in our homes, where they hide, ways to get rid of them, and when to replace your mattress.
What are the Causes of Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are attracted to areas where people, their hosts, gather. This is because they feed on our blood.
Newborn bed bugs, or nymphs, feed on blood before shedding skin until maturity. Bed bugs take blood as their meal and transform from a brownish colour to red afterwards.
Unlike other known insects, bed bugs do not dwell on decayed organisms, meaning that having bed bugs isn’t necessarily a sign that your place is dirty; they instead stay where their hosts are nearby. In fact, they live in well-maintained spaces like hotels.
Nymphs and mature bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye. They can come from old furniture, hitchhike through luggage, or move from buildings or hotels to other establishments. Although they are visible, they can enter your home unnoticed as they hide in very tight spaces. Although these insects remain mostly camouflaged, they come out to feed on their hosts at night.
Most spaces where you can find bed bugs in your bedrooms are under the mattress or behind the headboard.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
As mentioned earlier, bed bugs transmit through bags and luggage. They also hide on clothes, beds, and couches, typically deep between cushion intersections. Their flat bodies make it easy to hide in tight spaces without getting squished. Because of their small and thin appearance, they can easily dwell on mattresses and bed frames to easily feed on their hosts at night.
How Do You Tell When Bed Bugs are In Your Home?
The most noticeable sign of a bed bug infestation is when you get tiny, itchy red bumps on your skin that were not present before you slept. Tiny bloodstains on your bedding and pillows; small and dark faecal spots on your bedding and walls; eggshells; bug skins; and bug scents are all signs.
If you notice these signs, immediately remove your bedding and examine your bed for other indications. Also, check into other areas like your wardrobe cabinet or chest of drawers. If you have a fabric or storage bed, check the storage area.
How to Remove Bed Bugs from Your Mattress?
Every mattress in Singapore is prone to accumulating bed bugs. If you notice some indications of infestation, immediately take your bedding and other items off your mattress. Do you have to replace your mattress instantly? It may be the quickest option because your mattress is the most common breeding ground for bed bugs. If your mattress is too old, you can take it as a chance to upgrade to a new mattress. But you can start dealing with your bedding first. Here are some things to regularly do to remove bed bugs from your mattress:
- Replace and wash your bedding, including pillowcases, bed sheets, blankets, mattress protectors, and even other linens and plush decor. Carefully transfer your items, using a disposable container, to the washer to avoid the insects getting into further contact.
- Don't forget to check your wardrobe or chest of drawers, as they are also potential hideouts for bed bugs.
- Remove nymphs or debris from your bare mattress with a brush, then use a vacuum cleaner to tackle your mattress thoroughly. When cleaning, make sure to include the other side of your mattress, your bed frame, and your headboard. Use your vacuum to thoroughly clean your room and other areas surrounding your mattress. Do not use a vacuum brush attachment to prevent the bugs from being trapped in the bristles. Instead, use the host to get the bugs directly. Repeat several times to ensure the bugs won't have an outlet to return.
- Use a fitted mattress protector to help guard your bed. This unique cover can kill bed bugs and prevent them from reproducing. This will not only help you save your mattress from bed bugs, but it will also help preserve the cleanliness and quality of your mattress.
- Don't forget to clean your bed frame. Whether you have a wooden bed frame, a metal base, or an upholstered bed, it's important to dive deeper into every corner since bed bugs can hide in the tightest spaces.
- If you decide to use an insecticide or bed bug treatment product, be cautious of the insecticide or bed bug treatment product you choose. Maintain good ventilation before spraying the chemical onto your mattress and its surroundings.
- Steam your mattress where possible. Steaming is an efficient way to get rid of bed bugs.
- Remember that getting rid of bed bugs is a continuous process.
How Do You Prevent Bed Bugs from Infesting Your Mattress?
The best way to prevent bed bugs from coming to your home, especially if you've experienced them already, is to thoroughly clean your bedroom and regularly change your bedding accessories. A mattress protector is a discreet but efficient solution to guarding your mattress against dirt and bed bug infestations. As much as possible, do not go for second-hand furniture that can bring bed bugs into your room.
When Do You Buy a New Mattress?
If your old mattress is infested by bed bugs or is just too saggy and uncomfortable already, you have your cue to dispose of your old one and invest in a new mattress. This is one of the quickest ways to tackle the issue but is certainly not the cheapest, so we recommend thoroughly choosing the next mattress you will use for the upcoming years. To avoid future infestations, immediately protect your mattress by encasing it with a snug-fitting cover.
If the infestation persists, please get in touch with professionals for bed bug extermination.