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Bedbugs
Bedbugs were rare in the United States in
the second half of the twentieth century,
but they have recently become a problem once
again. Bedbugs are small, brownish flat insects
that feed on the blood of animals. The most
common bedbug, Cimex lectularius, has adapted
itself to living with humans and household
pets. These bugs like to bite people while
they are sleeping. Although some individuals
have no reaction to the bites, most will
develop an itchy red welt or localized swelling.
Bedbugs especially like to inhabit materials
made from fabric, wood and paper. They are
active at night and tend to hide in small
spaces, particularly in mattresses, box springs,
bed frames, and headboards, which eventually
become stained with dark spots (actually
the bugs’ dried excrement). These pests are
most likely to invade your home if you have
been traveling and staying in a hotel or
cruise ship where they may unknowingly infest
your luggage. They can also be transported
in used furniture and bedding.
It is important to deal immediately with
bedbugs, since once a room is infected, the
bugs can spread. You should consider the
following if you want to get rid of bedbugs:
- Bedbugs die in high heat. All infested bedding
should be washed in hot water (120 degrees
F). Items that cannot be washed and will
not be damaged by high heat can be placed
in the clothes drier and heated for several
minutes on the “hot” setting.
- The mattress, box springs, and headboard
should be thoroughly vacuumed by using the
end of the suction wand along the seams,
tufts and edges of the bedding -- areas where
bedbugs like to nest. The perimeter of any
wall-to-wall carpeting should also be vacuumed.
The contents of the vacuum should be discarded
in a sealed trash bag.
- Mattresses and bed frames can be permanently
encased in special mattress
bags that will
trap any bedbugs in the bedding,
so that
they cannot escape and will
eventually die.
These bags will also prevent
other bedbugs
from getting into the bedding.
- Insecticides are the only sure method of
eliminating bedbugs from bedding, furniture,
and carpeting. A professional who knows how
to use the right dosage of low odor sprays,
dusts, and aerosols should apply these. Never
apply insecticides to bedding that is being
used.
Treating infected materials with portable
steam machines is not reliable, and the excess
moisture from the steam may cause mold or
mildew. |
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