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Bed bugs are not only irritating but also bring harmful effects to the body. If you find yourself losing sleep because of too much itching, your bedroom could be infested with bed bugs.
It is, therefore, important to identify the signs of a bed bug infestation early so you can take prompt actions and eventually, prevent it from coming back. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about finding bedbug remedy solutions, including immediate relief and long-term preventive measures.
Recognising a Bed Bug Infestation: Early Signs and Symptoms
The first step to getting rid of bed bugs is to identify whether or not your home is indeed infested with these annoying creatures.
With their thin and flattened bodies, bed bugs can easily hide in narrow cracks and crevices. They are often found on mattresses, couches, bed frames, bedside furniture, picture frames, wooden floorboards, carpet edges, and behind wallpapers and skirting boards. Bed bugs particularly like to hide in folds or stitches which can conveniently conceal them.
Because bed bugs are often unnoticeable, you should be able to actively recognise signs and symptoms of their presence—much more so if there is an infestation in your home. Below are the common signs of infestation that will require serious attention and effective bed bug remedy.
- Presence of small, flat, reddish-brown bugs in and around your bed
- Presence of translucent eggshells and bed bug skins around your bed
- Bites on your skin that may appear as red, itchy welts
- Difficulty sleeping or waking up in the middle of the night because of itchy skin from bed bug bites
- Small and dark blood stains on your sheets and pillowcases
- Dark or rusty stains on your mattresses from bed bug fecal matter
- A distinct musty odour in areas infested with bed bugs
- Distinct bite marks that may cause your skin to react, including redness, itch, swelling, and wheals measuring 2 cm in size
The moment you notice some or all of the signs of a bed bug infestation above, it’s crucial to take action right away. Continue to read below for tips and techniques on how to get rid of the infestation and what bed bug remedy solutions to follow.
Taking Immediate Actions: Natural and Home Remedies for Bed Bug Bites
Despite having an infestation in your home, the good news is there are a lot of ways you can do to relieve bed bug bites. In fact, there are natural bed bug remedy solutions you can find inside your kitchen that you can use to alleviate the itch, swelling, and redness from bed bug bites.
Here are some natural home remedies to soothe bed bug bites:
- Cold Compress
Use an ice pack as a cold compress and apply it to the affected area to reduce swelling of the skin and numb the itchiness.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known to soothe skin irritation and promote faster healing from bed bug bites. Use fresh aloe vera gel for fast results.
- Oatmeal
Create an oatmeal bath by adding colloidal oatmeal to warm water. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes to relieve itching due to bed bug bites.
- Lemon Juice
Do you know that lemon juice is also a great bed bug remedy that helps alleviate itch and swelling? Simply dab a cotton ball with lemon juice and apply it to the bites to help reduce itching.
- Baking Soda
Baking soda is known to provide many healing properties. For bed bug bites, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water and applying it to the bites. This can help reduce itching and inflammation.
- Coconut Oil
Another bed bug remedy you can easily find in your kitchen is coconut oil. When you apply a small amount to the affected area, it can moisturise the skin and alleviate itching.
- Cucumber Slices
Aside from reducing puffiness and dark circles around the eyes, cucumber slices are also effective in providing a cooling sensation to bites. They also help reduce swelling and itchiness.
Professional vs. DIY Bed Bug Remedy Options: Pros and Cons
Once you’ve recognised and confirmed that there is indeed an infestation in your home, the next thing you need to do is to take action and decide which bed bug remedy solution would you go for—professional or DIY bed bug treatment.
Professional Bedbug Treatment
A professional bedbug treatment service involves hiring a licensed and experienced pest control team that specialises in bedbug eradication. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a professional route.
Pros:
- Professional exterminators are knowledgeable and experienced in treating bedbug infestations effectively.
- They can create and provide customised treatment plans that are tailored to customers’ unique infestation conditions and concerns.
- They utilise effective tools, methods, and strategies to ensure the comprehensive and efficient elimination of bed bugs. These include heat treatments, pesticides, and steam cleaning among others.
Cons:
- Professional bed bug treatment services can be costly, especially for severe infestations.
- Many professionals use pesticides, toxic products, and chemical treatments that expose home owners to harmful chemicals.
- Not all professional pest control companies are equal. This means that the effectiveness of their procedures can vary. It is, therefore, important to choose a reputable and experienced pest control provider.
DIY Bedbug Remedy
A do-it-yourself (DIY) bedbug remedy involves using home bed bug products, solutions, and methods to address an infestation without getting professional help. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of deciding to take the DIY route.
Pros:
- DIY bed bug treatment methods are generally cheaper than hiring professional pest control services.
- Homeowners can take immediate action without waiting for a scheduled appointment with a professional exterminator.
- With DIY, you can choose the type of treatment you would use. Many DIYers choose natural or less-toxic substances to reduce the risks of chemical exposure.
Cons:
- Homeowners may lack access to professional-grade products and equipment that are often more effective in eliminating them.
- Without professional help, there is a possibility that you may misidentify the real problem or overlook hidden bed bug hiding spots, resulting in incomplete or improper treatment.
Eco-Friendly Bedbug Treatments: Safe for You and the Environment
When it comes to bed bug remedies, finding an eco-friendly solution is essential if you care about the safety of your family, home, and the environment. Many treatments are made with strong chemicals that are not only potentially toxic to humans and pets but are also harmful to the environment.
An eco-friendly treatment is key to the safe eradication of annoying bed bugs in your home. This includes using natural products that are made or formulated with organic ingredients, using herbal pest repellants such as essential oils, performing chemical-free heat treatment, regularly doing steam cleaning, and vacuuming your mattresses, carpets, and other common bed bug hiding spots.
Remember, you don’t have to use strong chemicals and pesticides to get rid of them. As long as you have the right tools and materials, an eco-friendly beg bug remedy is just as effective in eradicating them in your home.
Innovative Bed Bug Barriers: Long-Term Prevention Techniques
Eliminating bed bugs in your bedroom and other parts of the house is one thing. Preventing them from re-infestation is another story. If you wish to keep your home free from this nasty and annoying little creature, here are the long-term prevention techniques you need to keep in mind.
- Regularly clean, declutter, and repair damages in your room.
Bed bugs love to hide in secret spots that would conceal them. Thus, a cluttered room is something they would likely inhabit. So clean up the clutter, repair cracks, and holes in your floors and wooden furniture, and keep your room clean and fresh all the time. Put encasements on your mattress and change your pillowcases regularly to keep the bed bugs from getting to you while you sleep.
- Regularly wash and heat-dry your bedsheets, blankets, and pillowcases.
It’s always better to be sure than sorry. Just because your bed accessories still look and smell clean doesn’t mean they are. Make it a habit to regularly wash your bed sheets, blankets, and pillowcases every other week and heat dry them to ensure that bedbugs and their eggs do not grow and multiply.
- Check second-hand furniture for signs of infestations before buying or bringing them home.
You don’t know the history of preloved furniture so it’s better to be meticulous to be sure that they are not infested. Check for early signs of bed bugs or have them treated first. If budget is not an issue, choose to buy new and high-quality furniture instead.
- Avoid using shared laundry machines.
Bed bugs from other homes might be passed onto yours through laundry machines, so better to avoid them altogether. However, if unavoidable, be vigilant and careful. Use a plastic bag for transporting dirty clothes and a different plastic bag for bringing newly laundered clothes to your home.
The Future of Control: Trends and Developments
The evolving landscape of bed bug control and management tells us that there are new and developing trends, tools, and methods that we can use to eradicate these little creatures. We are likely to witness a shift towards more sustainable and integrated approaches, with a focus on minimising environmental impact and improving overall efficacy.
Natural and eco-friendly remedies are gaining popularity because people are becoming more conscious of the harmful effects of chemical products on the environment. With this, consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives that are both effective against them and gentle on the environment. As the demand for sustainable products and solutions increases, researchers and manufacturers are likely to invest more in the development of eco-friendly control methods, contributing to a shift in the pest control industry towards practices that prioritise both efficacy and environmental responsibility.
For safe, effective, and reliable organic DIY products and solutions, you can trust Bed Bug Barrier. Our commitment to providing eco-friendly solutions ensures that you can deal with bedbug infestations without compromising your health, your home, and the environment. Explore our range of natural remedies and treatment services designed to eliminate bed bugs while promoting a sustainable and chemical-free approach.
Say goodbye to bed bugs with confidence and conscience! Contact us today to get started.
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