Category Archives: Bed Bug Cream

Bedbug Information

A bedbug is a small, blood-sucking parasite that feeds on mammals and birds. Bedbugs belong to the insect family Cimicidae. Although there are several different species, the most common species associated with human bedbug infestations are Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus. Bedbugs are considered a public health pest. There has been a recent resurgence in bedbug infestations worldwide, particularly in developed countries, including the United States.

Adult bedbugs are reddish brown in color, flat, oval-shaped, wingless and approximately 4-5 millimeters in length. Immature bedbugs (nymphs) may be translucent or light tan in color and therefore very difficult to see. Bedbugs are often more red in color after feeding. Bedbugs are attracted by warmth, and they generally feed during the night, often just before dawn. They tend to feed every five to 10 days, though they can survive without feeding for several months. Bedbugs pierce the skin and inject saliva that contains anesthetics and anticoagulants into the host, which often make their bites painless initially. After feeding on the host's blood for several minutes, bedbugs will crawl back to their hiding place. They will generally try to hide and remain within close range of their warm-blooded host. Affected individuals may feel and see the consequences of the bedbug bite afterward, though many individuals will not develop any physical signs of a bite. Bedbugs do not transmit or spread human disease.

What Causes a Bedbug Infestation? How Common Are Bedbugs?

Bedbugs are found in temperate and tropical climates worldwide. The insects are most commonly found in living quarters where their host resides. Bedbugs generally hide in the seams and crevices of bed mattresses and box springs, bed frames, headboards, upholstery, old furniture, closets, and in spaces underneath baseboards or behind loose wallpaper. Clutter and disarray also provide additional hiding places for bedbugs. Bedbugs may be transported from one location to another via luggage, furniture, clothing, and used mattresses. Although they are often associated with unsanitary living conditions, bedbug infestations also occur in clean, well-maintained living quarters, including five-star hotels and resorts. Bedbug infestations have been increasingly reported in hotels, dormitories, homes, apartments, nursing homes, cruise ships, shelters, jails, and hospitals. There have been several cases in the U.S. involving litigation because of infestations of bedbugs, and thus bedbugs are considered a public health pest by several agencies.

Prior to World War II, infestations of bedbugs were common; however, after the widespread introduction of the use of the insecticide DDT in the mid-20th century, bedbug infestations became much less common. The recent resurgence in infestations of bedbugs worldwide is thought to be related to several different factors, including the increase in international travel, dense urban living conditions, insecticide resistance, and new, ineffective pest control measures.

What Are Symptoms and Signs of Bedbug Bites?

The symptoms of a bedbug bite are usually mild when present, and often individuals will not experience any symptoms at all. Bedbug bites can occur on any exposed part of the body, with the face, neck, arms, and hands being areas commonly affected. The signs and symptoms can appear from minutes to days after the initial bite. Affected individuals will usually complain of localized itching and reddish-colored skin lesions, which may look like a flat welt or a raised bump. Sometimes, the lesions can be found in clusters or in a linear pattern. Typically, these skin lesions will go away after one to two weeks.

Individuals who experience repeated bites over time may have more pronounced symptoms. Some people may also develop scarring or a skin infection from intense scratching of the skin. Rarely, a more severe systemic allergic reaction to a bedbug bite may develop. Some individuals may develop insomnia and anxiety from serious or repeated bedbug infestations.

When Should Someone Seek Medical Care for Bedbug Bites?

The vast majority of the time, bedbug bites can be managed at home. However, if someone begins to experience any of the following symptoms, consult a health care professional or go to the nearest emergency department:

How Do Health Care Professionals Diagnose Bedbug Bites?

The diagnosis of a bedbug bite can sometimes be difficult, as bedbug bites may appear similar to the bites of other insects. A health care professional will ask detailed questions and perform a physical exam, focusing on the skin. Other organ systems will also be examined to assess for any signs of an allergic reaction or for signs of infection. No blood tests or imaging studies will be necessary. If someone is able to bring in a specimen of the insect that may have bitten them, this can be helpful in making the diagnosis.

What Is the Medical Treatment for Bedbug Bites?

Medical treatment is usually not needed for bedbug bites. If required, medical treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms (like itching) caused by bedbug bites. In the rare cases of a systemic allergic reaction or a secondary skin infection, evaluation by a health care professional may be necessary. Individuals may also want to seek medical care if they are unsure of what is causing their skin lesions.

What Are Home Remedies for Bedbug Bites?

Bedbug bites usually do not require any treatment. If you develop itching of the skin around the site of the bite, you can use an over-the-counter antihistamine pill or cream such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Some individuals may also experience relief from the itching by applying a hot washcloth directly to the affected area. Try to avoid scratching the skin, as this can cause skin breakdown and a subsequent secondary bacterial skin infection.

Are There Medications for Bedbug Bites?

Medications for bedbug bites are usually not necessary. As noted above, over-the-counter antihistamine pills or creams (diphenhydramine) may be used for the itching. Corticosteroid creams (hydrocortisone) applied to the affected area may also be helpful for some individuals.

If a secondary bacterial skin infection develops, an antibiotic ointment or an oral antibiotic may be prescribed by a health-care professional.

Rarely, in cases of a severe systemic allergic reaction, injections of epinephrine, antihistamines, and corticosteroids may be required.

Is Follow-Up Needed for Bedbug Bites?

Follow-up with a health care professional may be necessary after a systemic allergic reaction or to monitor an individual's progress if they have developed a secondary bacterial skin infection. Otherwise, follow-up with a health care professional is usually not necessary.

Is It Possible to Prevent Bedbug Bites?

The best preventive measure against bedbug bites is to avoid situations that may give rise to bedbug infestations. There are several measures that can be undertaken to prevent bedbug infestations, including

If someone suspects a bedbug infestation, try to detect and confirm their presence.

First, make sure that the suspected bugs are bedbugs, because other insects or arthropods such as a carpet beetle, scabies mite, a bat bug, louse, or other bugs may be mistaken for bedbugs. If there is confirmation of a bedbug infestation, several measures can be taken to help control or eradicate the infestation, using both nonchemical and chemical (insecticides) methods. It can take several weeks to months to achieve complete eradication of a bedbug infestation, and it may take several treatment cycles to completely eliminate them. In many cases, it will be necessary to hire a pest control service in order to implement a comprehensive extermination strategy.

The following do-it-yourself tips may help if you have an infestation of bedbugs:

For travelers and renters, exposure to potential bedbugs can also be prevented by visiting the Internet public database of user-submitted bedbug reports in the U.S. and Canada at the Bedbug Registry.

What Is the Prognosis for Bedbug Bites?

The prognosis for bedbug bites is excellent. The vast majority of people who experience bedbug bites will recover without any long-term problems, and many individuals who are bitten may not exhibit any physical signs at all. However, the recent resurgence in bedbug infestations will require increasing public education and awareness, instituting effective preventive and control measures, and continuing research into the development of more effective, safe insecticides.

Reviewed on 9/11/2017

REFERENCES:

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Parasites -- Bed Bugs." May 24, 2016. <https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/index.html>.

United States. Environmental Protection Agency. "Bed Bugs: Get Them Out and Keep Them Out." May 4, 2017. <http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs>.

Read more:
How To Get Rid of Bedbugs: Pictures, Symptoms, and Signs

It seems that that bed bug bites have become even more common in recent months than news reports last year predicted. Theres no doubt that these little menaces are taking over entire regions, especially in large cities but the question is why. Bed bug bites have been unheard of at most doctors offices and clinics since the 1950s for the most part unless you live in a developing country. Why the sudden boom?

Bed Bug Bites

The basic reason is simply the fact that weve overlooked them and they became a cute little thing we said to our children at night. Dont let the bed bugs bite. Weve all heard this and for the most part it was harmless. Today, its actually something to worry about andits time to startgetting rid of bed bugseverywhere.

A large factor in their return is actually a combination between overlooking them for years, a decline in the economy and booming tourism in many cities. People may come visit from places that do have bedbugs and all it takes is a couple stowaways in a piece of luggage and one room in a hotel becomes infested. From there, they creep around the whole building, and then new visitors take them to other areas and so on.

Identifying Bed Bugs

Whats that little bite on your arm? Flea? Mosquito? It could very well be a bed bug bite and you might not even know it, especially if youve done a bit of traveling lately. Unless you specifically look for signs of these little creatures, youll probably just write that bump off. Bed bugs are basically oval shaped and can be a shade of yellow, red, brown or a mix of them. They almost look like baby cockroaches. They are mostly active at night so its easy to miss them.

A good way to find out whether or not you have them isnt to look for live ones but instead focus CSI style on evidence. Run a flashlight over your sheet when your ready to change your bedding and look for tiny brown specks (feces), translucent exoskeletons from growing, tiny blood spots, and maybe youll see a little critter or two tucked in a fold. Getting down to eye level with your bed can help spot anything uneven as well. Once you know you have them, you can start to take action.

Identifying Bed Bug Bites

Extreme Example Of Bed Bug Bites

This is actually extremely hard to do so using the technique above to search your bed (or couch, futon, etc..) is the best way to confirm its bed bugs. The bites will look very similar to a random spider or mosquito bite. It will be a small raised red bump, a red blotchy area or small rash in most cases. This is why its often overlooked. Many of us wake up with a tiny unknown bug bite here and there and think nothing of it. Bed bugs often bite in a line pattern. Here are some pictures of various bites to help you out.

Treating Bed Bug Bites

Like any bite, these can vary greatly depending on how many bites you have and your bodys reaction to them. In severe cases, this can be life-threatening and you will have to go to the ER. For most of us, it will be an irritating bump or rash. To help ease the pain and itchiness, you can use anything from aloe vera to Campo-Phenique to a Benadryl type cream. Whatever you prefer for other itchy bites should work well here. Some Tylenol or anti-inflammatory tablet or cream can also help if you feel you need it. Everyone has a particular remedy so use what youre familiar with and comfortable with. Some people swear by tooth pain creams in addition to an allergy cream. Treating bites shouldnt be something you need to do all the time so get rid of these pests quickly.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

As with any little critter that moves into your home, there are some steps you need to take to get rid of them successfully and permanently. Bed bugs are a little challenging as they are resistant to many types of bug spray you can buy on the shelf. That can of super powered roach killer smells and looks like it should wipe out anything with six legs but this isnt always the case. Those sprays are formulated to work specifically on the insect on the can usually. Spider spray might just make cockroaches angry for instance. To truly tackle this problem your best options are:

Identification Make sure this is actually the problem and you dont have a spider nest hiding in your wall or floorboards. The bites can be similar and the method to get rid of them is very different. Triple check to make sure or call in a professional.

Cleaning Insects dont like clean areas much. Use a mild bleach mixture to clean your linoleum and tile and vacuum your entire house multiple times using a bug repellant carpet powder if available. Multiple times per day for a week or so is a great idea. Wash all your bedding, drapes, couch cushions and clothes near your floor in hot water. Dry them for an extended time on HOT settings.

Elimination This is the most important step of course. Get rid of them for good. You might be able to combine this with cleaning if you only have a few but keep in mind, where a couple are, more may be hiding. Large infestations will absolutely need the help of a professional exterminator.

Repellants Consider an all-natural repellant device or two. These are often very cheap and double as air fresheners. You slide them under your mattress or couch or in areas you think critters may hide. These work for multiple insect types making them very versatile.

Connect with Richard Goldman on Google+

More here:
Bed Bug Bites and Pictures: How Can You Tell A Bed Bug Has ...

Just when you thought you had rid your home of common pests such as cockroaches, rats or mosquitoes, there is a smaller, yet more annoying, kind of insect that may have also infested your household.

This insect is known as a bedbug, and it breeds mostly within the confines of the bedroom. However, they can also be found in other parts of the home such as living rooms and closets.

They terrorize all types of homes and apartment complexes regardless of how clean the areas may be. They also infest motels, hotels, college dorm rooms, and other dwellings.

They have caused problems for humans for thousands of years. As time passed by, humans could not bear the annoyance they encountered with these small insects and they tried many ways to control and exterminate the pests. Different methodologies were suggested such as the use of alcohol, oil, plants with microscopic hooks, woven baskets, pesticides and dust.

But no matter how hard you tried to contain the problem, they would always come back, even more so as the weather became warmer. This has been a dilemma until recent years, when more methods to get rid of them have emerged onto the market.

A lot of people are wondering why they are suddenly making the news again and becoming a common problem for many households. It is unclear how exactly they appear in your homes; however, it is believed that frequent traveling, obtaining second-hand furniture from a different home, and a resistance to pesticides contribute to the resurgence of these species.

There are several reasons why they are once again growing in numbers. One reason is that they were not totally exterminated in the first place. In fact, the people with infestations had performed treatments in the past that never worked. Their method in the past to treat infestations was by throwing away any furniture that was infested with bugs or eggs.

The mistake here is that people just throw the furniture away, without killing any eggs that might hatch in the furniture and crawl back into the house.

Throwing out bug-infested furniture also results in community infestations, because people searching for free furniture on the side of the road may see a perfectly good couch and want to take it home with them. Because they are not aware of a pest problem that is lurking silently in the furniture, they will probably end up with bugs in their house too as soon as the eggs hatch.

Another reason why they are becoming a recurrent problem is that quite a few people who have them in the past have only treated certain parts of their house that they thought were infested.

The mistake here is that people underestimate their wits. These bugs hide in safe places where the extermination methods cannot reach them, and they move fast that they can easily scatter to a different part of the house where treatment is not being applied, therefore surviving the extermination process.

Though it seems like a never-ending battle to get rid of them, there is hope! This article will help you learn how to identify them, how to treat the bites, and how to battle and prevent the spread inside your home and outside of your home with modern methods that have been proven to be successful.

They are small, oval-shaped, wingless, six-legged parasitic insects related to aphids. Their body is crinkled and it looks like an accordion.

The common bedbug that has been identified as the bug that bites humans is the Cimex lectularius. Sometimes they can be mistaken to be fleas or tiny cockroaches, but unlike fleas, they do not jump and they are fast walkers.

They are bloodsuckers and they feed on both animals and humans alike, thriving off the hosts blood and they prefer to stay in places where their prey sleeps or rests. Unlike body lice, they do not want to be disturbed and they dont cling to their host for a long time.

Mature bugs are mahogany in color and they have a distinct unpleasant odor that is caused by the oil they carry in their body. Their body sizes may vary. Some can be as small as a poppy seed, while others may be as big as apple seeds when they mature. Males can be distinguished by a sharp ended abdomen, while the female bug can be identified with a round ended abdomen.

The adult grow up to 5mm long. They start out with a flat oval shape, but after dining on a bloody meal, their bodies become red due to consumption of blood and their shape looks more like small footballs.

Warm and humid conditions support their breeding and survival. The life cycle from egg to adult can take four to five weeks. Cooler conditions haven been known to shorten the life cycle, but then again, some of these insects may adapt to the cold temperature to survive even longer.

Breeding is a harsh process for the female. The male slashes or pierces the abdomen of the female to inject his sperm. Fertilization occurs at the ovaries of the female and after the introduction of the sperm, the female leaves the scene to avoid further injuries. This process is called traumatic insemination.

Males will also attempt to mate with other male and slash the abdomen to inject its sperm. They cannot distinguish males from females because they only base attraction on body size. Males ward off other males that are trying to pierce their abdomen by producing alarm pheromones.

There are three stages of development: eggs, nymphs, and adults. The female lays three to five speck-like eggs a day, reaching an astonishing two hundred eggs during its lifetime. Without magnification, these tiny eggs are very difficult to identify.

A sticky residue enables the egg to adhere to surfaces, and the eggs will mature there undisturbed. The eggs are commonly cemented by this sticky residue on wood, paper, cardboard or fabric, and they sometimes look like a yellow white bean with a lid.

Eggs are laid in clusters and the females will stop laying the eggs after 11 days, or possibly more if they decide to rest and feed.

It takes six to ten days for the eggs to develop and when they hatch they produce one-millimeter nymphs. These nymphs resemble the adult, but they have lighter color. Nymphs, upon reaching maturity, molt or shed their skin around five times before becoming an adult. It begins to look for a victim to feed on as soon as it gets out of its egg.

The nymphs can survive up to 3 months without a meal and the adults can live from six to eleven months without feeding on blood. They are most active during the night and they prefer to hide close to their hosts during the day.

Furniture that is made of fabric and wood are most likely to be the breeding grounds for these bugs. This is why mattresses are the most common source. These parasitic organisms are so small that you can hardly see them with your naked eye.

They are also very good at hiding because they have adapted to squeezing themselves into crevices and spaces so that they will not be easily disturbed. Small dark spots are usual hiding places.

Because of their ability to get into cracks and crevices to hide from the pesticides or treatments, many problems are not completely eradicated during an extermination process. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly check in any cracks, holes, and crevices and apply treatments in other places as needed.

It seems to be the trend nowadays to buy secondhand furniture due to the rising costs of buying new furniture. However tempting buying used furniture may be, and even if you think they can still be repaired, you have to make sure that you inspect it very closely. Secondhand furniture may have hundreds of eggs and bugs that are waiting to find their next victim.

You could decide to choose to buy secondhand metal or plastic furniture, but if you really want that wooden or cushioned furniture, you should have it steamed thoroughly or sprayed with chemicals before moving the furniture into your house.

You can get them from just about anywhere. These small bugs are opportunists, and they patiently wait as long as they need to until a victim comes along that they can hitch a ride to their next destination where they can breed and feed. They can survive over a year while waiting for their next meal.

Students coming home from college may bring these insects with them. Airplanes, buses, and other public transportation methods are also not exempt from these insects. Even five-star hotels are not spared from infestations. If a person stays in a hotel, they may be unknowingly carried to the next destination on the person or their belongings.

They can be transported on many different items such as furniture, clothing, shoes, hats, and other belongings. Pets can also carry them on their fur and into your home. Animals such as bats, rodents, raccoons, or birds roosting on the roof of the house may also contribute to an infestation.

If you are in the real estate market and looking to buy a home, it is important to know that houses that have been unoccupied for more than a year have a lower risk for the presence because they can only last about 18 months without feeding.

If the house that youre thinking of buying has recently had people living in it that most likely did not properly take care of the home, you should consider fumigating the house just in case.

Although there are no massive nests, you will know when you have them. These insects have aggregation pheromones and kairomones to help them communicate, congregate, breed, and stay in a small group. Sometimes you can see a large number of them during the middle of the night if you turn on the lights. They are kind of like cockroaches in the sense that once the lights turn on, they scatter.

If you have mysterious bites on your body after sleeping in your bed, or on a couch, this is probably due to bed bugs. Exposed areas of the skin are vulnerable to attacks.

The arms, legs, hands, face and neck are the most commonly observed parts of the body that are the favorite feeding spots of these pests. As soon as they hit the accessible capillary that they are looking for, they will bite you in groups of threes, and sometimes even more throughout their meal.

Itching, blisters, lesions, or pustule will be evident on the skin. A secondary infection to the skin due to the bites may be inevitable for the victim. In severe cases when the infestation in a household is too overwhelming, it may even cause the host to have anemia if he or she has been repeatedly attacked.

Most bites come in threes. They are referred to as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are bites that were made by a bug who has been disturbed while drinking your blood.

As your body shifts, they get disturbed and move around one inch away from the first area that they were feeding on. If the body shifts again, they go through the same process, and that is why we can see bite marks in groups of threes.

Aside from having painful attacks and lesions, the victim may feel a lot of anxiety and fatigue, and may also experience financial and mental stress. People do not want to sleep on their bed through the night because they have a feeling that they are constantly being bitten.

The fear and anxiety may cause the person to have imaginary itches, and the anticipation of being bitten may be overwhelming for a host even if they have rid themselves of them. The only way for them to confirm that they have resolved their dilemma is when they are not bitten at all throughout the night.

They feed by piercing the skin of their hosts with their elongated beaks. They inject anti-coagulants and analgesic into the area where they suck the blood out, making it painless and unnoticeable when they take their meal.

It takes around five to ten minutes for mature bugs to drink their victims blood, and the nymphs take a shorter period of time around 3 minutes.

The saliva produces an inflammatory reaction to the skin similar to mosquito bites, but the reactions to the bites may vary and the time that the bite stays on the body may last for several days. They can drink blood that weighs up to six times their own weight. They will look like walking blood drops when they are fully fed.

You will definitely see huge red spots on your body when you are bitten by bedbugs. Bites can cause itching, mild allergic reactions, rashes, and inflammations that are more irritable than mosquito bites and therefore, most people seek out ways to treat their bites so that they heal quickly.

To provide immediate relief to the area, you will need to combine baking soda and water to form into a thick paste to place it on the bite. Just allow it to dry in order to take away the pain and itching.

Before you do that, you will need to wash the affected area with soap and water first. Few victims let the baking soda paste stay for more than an hour, but it all depends on how severe the bites are.

After the application has done its job by providing you with relief, you will need to gently wash the area with water, and wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.

Taking antihistamines, applying steroid creams, calamine lotion, cortisone cream or using hydrocortisone cream can help calm allergic reactions and itching caused by bites.

You can also use over-the-counter medications such as any topical anesthetic containing pramoxine, or you can use Benadryl (dipehnhydramine) to block the antihistamines. For swelling, use naproxen or ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.

Another way to reduce swelling is to crush up an aspirin and mix it with water to form a paste to use on your inflamed area in order to bring the swelling down.

There is no need to be alarmed. They dont carry any kind of disease that we know of. Typically bites will heal on their own in just a few days.

Small bumps or stains on fabric or wood may indicate that you have them. When you remove your bedding, you need to check the seams of the mattress. If you see skin shedding, empty or full egg cases, dark stains, and live bugs, its time to start thinking of ways to exterminate them.

Dark stains are the fecal matter or digested blood that they have left behind. Try to get some rubbing alcohol and scrub the dark stains away. If it bleeds out and produces a brownish color, it is a good indicator of their presence.

To inspect your home, the best place to start is your bed and then you can work your way outwards from there. Since the insects need to stay close to the host, they choose to settle somewhere near their food supply which, in most cases, is the area that you sleep.

Inspect the linens, pillow cases, mattress seams, pillows, the bed frame, and the head board. They love wood because it has a lot of crevices and areas where they can hide, and they do not move around much.

The box spring for your bed is a likely congregation point. There are a lot of cracks and crevices that they can use to hide and breed. Even plastic covered box springs are vulnerable and it is wise to check the stapled areas where the fabric is connected to or in other places where holes exist in the plastic.

After inspecting your bed, check the cabinets or drawers beside it. Take the drawers out, turn them upside down, and check if there are bugs inside and under it. Table frames, bedroom furniture, the television, remote controls, clocks, paintings, any other possible hiding places you can think of must also be thoroughly inspected. If the room is carpeted, look along the edges and check the base moldings. They can literally be anywhere.

Living room furniture does not escape infestation. Look closely at the sofa, its coverings, and its pillows. Be sure to check every space, even under the couch. Some can even land on books, toys, and other types of things.

Simple & common inspection tools already located in most homes can help you determine if you have an infestation.

A flashlight will be needed to view dark areas that house lights cannot illuminate. Using a flashlight will make it easier to detect movement of these tiny creatures.

You will need a magnifying glass to view very small bugs that are hiding within the seams or crevices of your mattress, couch, or other area that is infested.

Tweezers are helpful to pick up bugs or eggs.

Having something to put the unwanted insects or eggs in is a good idea, so that they dont just climb out of your garbage and back into your bed.

Something thin like a knife will be handy to insert in crevices and check the possibility of a bug infestation.

Use a screwdriver to remove wall sockets to see if they are hiding in there.

This will be helpful to flush out the bugs if ever they are found in hard-to-reach places.

Having a paint brush will make it easier to sweep away the insects into a container that you can dispose of.

Bed bugs are named as such because they are primarily found on beds. To check your beds for evidence, remove all bedding and mattress encasements until the mattress is the only thing that is left. The mattress is the most common place where they will hide.

Usually, mattresses also have box springs and wooden frames. These can be also breeding grounds so it is imperative that you look at them closely.

You may need to ask someone for assistance so that you can lift up your mattress to expose the whole underlying part. The darkness that the mattress and box spring provide is a perfect breeding spot and it could be teeming with bugs.

Most mattresses have creviced designs that seem to be deeper than the rest of the bed, so it is important to check these crevices for any bugs.

Because these bugs are extremely small, you might want to grab your tools from the list above. When inspecting a mattress or box spring, having a flashlight and a magnifying glass are handy tools for identifying them. It is of the utmost importance that you check all the crevices, seams, and edges of the mattress thoroughly for any eggs or live bugs.

It is also essential to check all furniture in your house as well, especially those made of wood, fabrics, and foams. If you notice any sign, it is important to be able to plan a total extermination immediately before the problem gets any worse.

The growing instances of attacks are occurring more frequently around the world and the best way to stop this is to have the necessary knowledge of prevention. Education and public awareness must be supported by the community and the government.

Being involved in prevention and suppression starts at home and it must involve members of the community to assure a pest-free environment.

There are many methods and techniques used by people and pest control professionals to prevent an infestation. Cleanliness is not even a factor for preventing or getting rid of bugs. In fact, they dont care how dirty or how clean an environment is as long as there are people they can bite and suck their blood.

You might as well stop scrubbing your house from the walls to the floors. No matter how often you clean your house, they are able to survive.

The most practical ways to prevent infestations are not very hard to follow. Here are some simple tips:

In order to get rid of them, we must rely on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that are founded on common-sense methods of treating pests. These principles are meant to prevent and eradicate pests without harming human health and the environment.

There are actually several methods on how to get rid of them. Some methods may be branded as very effective, but these critters are known to be extremely difficult to get rid of completely because they are very small and thin enough to hide in small cracks, crevices and holes. When they hide in tiny cracks, it is difficult to kill the entire infestation.

When you hire an exterminator, they may use chemical pesticides in your home in order to get rid of them. These pesticides can last three or more months before they disappear and lose their effectiveness.

Since they can live for a year or more without getting a blood meal, they have the capability to starve themselves and wait until the chemicals lose their effectiveness. It makes you sit back in amazement at how bugs know to stay away from the chemicals.

Scientists are also surprised at how smart they are at avoiding extermination by avoiding chemicals. They can easily detect chemical agents, so they can change their routes of access to your flesh. They want your blood and will travel as far as they have to in order to get a fresh drink of blood.

There is also news from entomologists that bugs are somewhat resistant to certain pesticides that they are exposed to and this is quite a discovery if these bugs are evolving right before our very own eyes to become resistant to pesticides.

Scientists are conducting research studies to determine if bugs are really mutating into a super pesticide-resistant bug. If this is true, that will mean that we will need to find different methods or eradicating them if the methods that we are using wont work on them anymore. So far, the studies are still being worked on and the results are quite limited at this time.

Some of the common-sense treatment methods include do-it-yourself (DIY) treatments and hired professional treatments.

Powder is an environmentally safe and natural substance that kills bedbugs. It is harmless to humans and pets, and it is similar to talcum powder. But to bedbugs, these are tiny razor blades. The powder is made of diatomaceous earth, or Kieselguhr. It is recommended to apply it around each bedpost, and in seams and crevices of the mattress.

The diatomaceous earth comes from tiny sea algae that have been fossilized for millions of years. These tony sea fossils are nearly as strong as a diamond, and each microscopic piece has been crushed into even tinier pieces.

When you look at this under a microscope, the diatomaceous earth looks like a type of cylindrical Chex cereal that is broken into sharp shards. These sharp microscopic pieces land on the insects and cause lesions on their exoskeletons, which will eventually cause them to die of dehydration within a day or two.

After a week, it is best to vacuum up all of the powder and then reapply with another round of powder. And just to be on the safe side, you should repeat this process again within a month just to be sure that youve gotten rid of the bugs that were hiding in their tiny cracks and finally decided to come out to look for a blood meal.

Powder is even a more effective remedy than common liquid sprays because it doesnt dry up after few hours of application like liquid does. Bedbug powder usually costs between $6 and $15 per 8-ounce bottle.

Special bed encasements such as mattress covers, box spring covers, and pillow covers are offered by companies that will prevent them from setting up camp in your bedding. They assure the consumer that once the mattress has been sealed, the bed is 100% safe.

Access to go in and out of the seams and crevices is put to a halt, and any insect caught within the encasement will die in time because they will not have food to keep themselves alive.

These mattress covers and pillow cases are similar to most other kinds of bedding. They are comfortable, soft, and washable. There is no special way to wash these bed protectors. In fact, you can just do your normal laundry and linen changing routines like you did before. You do not have to worry if the sheets were dipped into any chemicals that might harm your health.

Read the original:
Bed Bug Treatment

Published by Jacob Olesen

There is no specific treatment for bed bug bites but it is very important to prevent secondary skin infections that occur when one scratches them. In this regard, hydrocortisone creams can be very useful. They help you get rid of bed bug bites fast on skin and can prevent the need for using antibiotics for bed bug bites. So today we will be reviewing some of the best creams with steroids for bug bites.

Before we move on to the reviews of top bed bug bites creams with steroids, let us find out why do bed bug bites itch so much?

Bed bugs are attracted to sleeping humans who give out heat and carbon dioxide. When a bed big finds a favorable host to feed upon, it inserts its mouthparts into the skin and draws out blood. However, human blood tends to coagulate rapidly. Coagulated blood is not easy to drink for the bed bugs so, in order to prevent coagulation; they inject a protein-enzyme into the blood. This enzyme prevents blood coagulation making it easy for bed bugs to feed. However, some people are extremely allergic to this protein. As a result, their body secretes histamine into the blood which causes an inflammatory response in the form of intense itchiness, swelling, or reddish welts on the bitten areas.

Topical steroids such as corticosteroid lotions and creams applied to the skins surface reduce itching caused by an allergy. The effect is almost immediate; as soon as you use the best topical corticosteroid on the bite site, there is dramatic improvement in the itchiness. The cream has an antipruritic (anti-itch) action as it immediately passes into the underlying tissues and blood vessels to reduce the release of histamine. Histamine, as explained above, is the bodys reaction to the salivary proteins of the bed bugs which creates an inflammatory response. Applying the corticosteroid cream 1-2 times a day can prevent this inflammation, redness, itching, swelling and pain and help you avoid scratching and subsequent secondary skin infections.

Wash the bitten skin with cool water. Pat it dry. Apply the corticosteroid cream in all affected areas to keep itch under control. Reapply 1-2 times a day. Do not use steroid cream products for more than 3 days as they are absorbed into the bloodstream. While the cream is generally safe for use on sensitive skin of babies and toddlers, it is best to speak to your pediatrician/dermatologist before use.

Cortizone 10 steroidal cream for bed bug bites is useful for eczema, pruritis, rashes, insect bites and many other skin conditions. It is beneficial for sensitive skin as well and works quickly on all areas to prevent redness, swelling, itching and pain. This dermatologist approved hydrocortisone cream is safe for use on face and can be used for up to 1 week. It is also useful for treating psoriasis, canine skin rashes, sunburn etc.

This best beg bug bites skin cream has moisturizing elements that stop itching, and heal the bug bites rapidly.Apart from Aloe Vera and other moisturizers, it is fortified with vitamins A and E. Kirkland steroid cream for skin is proudly manufactured in the United States. It relieves bed bug bites itching, sunburn, eczema, dryness, and other skin issues without leaving a filmy, oily residue.

Natureplex cream contains Aloe. It relieves itching and pain caused by bug bites, psoriasis, eczema, poison ivy rashes, etc. While you may safely use this skin cream for sensitive skin types, do consult a doctor before using it on kids below 2 years. It is non greasy and inexpensive and can prevent secondary skin infections caused by scratching bed bug bites.

Check out other useful bed bug products here.

Having bed bugs is bad enough but to have a good nights rest disturbed by their bites is worse. If you have received numerous bed bug bites, then try one of the corticosteroid creams reviewed above. Use them as directed for a few days to relive itching and prevent secondary skin infections.

What Others Are Reading

Follow this link:
Best Corticosteroid Cream for Bed Bug Bites

How can you identifyChigger bites vs Bed bug bites?

Chiggers, (also called berry bugs) arent actually insects. Instead, they belong to the mite family, and they are closely related to spiders and ticks. However, their bites look similar to bed bugs.

Although they arent ticks, these larval mites are quite small and measure around 0.15mm to 0.25mm in length. They are reddish-orange to red in color and have six legs. The preferred habitat for chiggers is grassy areas and thick, scrub-type vegetation where there is undisturbed soil so that chiggers can easily latch onto the hosts that pass by.However, generally, chiggers are found in rural areas that are less disturbed, and they can persist for many years.

What do chiggers feed on?Similar to dust mites, chiggers feed on animals skin cells. The parasitic larva feeds on various creatures which also includes quail, box turtles, toads, rabbits, humans, along with a few insects too.Once they crawl on the hosts, they release digestive enzymes into the hosts skin which breaks down the skin cells. Instead of a bite, chiggers make a hole in the skin which is called a stylostome. Then, they chew small parts of the inner skin which leads to swelling and irritation.

How do chiggers reproduce?Adult male chiggers move around their habitat and leave behind tiny capsules of sperm which are called spermatophores. The adult female chiggers find the capsules and insert them into the genital pore.After around fourteen days of the egg fertilizing, the female then leaves the fertilized egg on the surface of the soil.

On the other hand, bed bugs are reddish brown in color, and they have a flat, oval shape. They measure around 4mm to 5mm in length and are around the size of an apple seed. Once they have a blood meal, bed bugs become reddish and swollen.

How does infestation take place? They are generally found in small crevices and cracks. They can also be found in furniture, sheets, and mattress seams. Other common hiding places also include behind picture frames, electrical outlet plates, and baseboards.The most common place that bed bugs can be found in is hotels as they can travel from one room to the other in the visitors luggage or personal belongings like briefcases and purses.

Where do bed bugs hide? As mentioned earlier, bed bugs can enter your house without being detected via used couches and beds, clothing, and luggage, among other items. Since they have a flat body, fitting into small places is possible for them. Bed bugs can even hide in places as thin as the width of a regular credit card.While bed bugs dont have nests like bees and ants do, they still tend to live in groups.

Initially, bed bugs hide in places like headboards, bed frames, box springs, mattresses, and other similar places from where they can have easy access for biting people in the night. However, with time, the bed bugs can scatter throughout the room and can move into other locations.They can also spread to nearby rooms and apartments. Since bed bugs survive only on blood, having bed bugs in your house doesnt mean say anything about your hygiene. The possibility of having bed bugs in clean, immaculate homes is the same as in dirty ones.

Bed bugs reproduction cycleFemale bed bugs can deposit one to five eggs in a single day. In their lifetime, females might lay, on average, around 200 to 500 eggs. With sufficient food supply and a regular room temperature, then they can survive for more than 300 days.

Preferred habitat for bed bugsAs apparent by the name, bed bugs prefer to live in warm beds. However, their habitats can also include car and bus seats, backpacks, couches, and clothes.

Distinguishing between bed bug bites and chigger bites can be a little tricky; however, there are some clues you can look for to figure out which of the two bit you.Often, bed bug bites and chigger bites look almost the same. Both of them produce small, reddened areas that are usually swollen. The area might also be raised slightly because of inflammation.

Both bites are also quite itchy which means that you cant judge the bite based on the itchiness level. You must make sure, however, that you dont pick at the bite; otherwise, it will get much worse.

One way you can identify the bite is to look for the bug. You will be able to see the bed bugs under the mattress and on your body. Chiggers are extremely small and you might not even be able to see them.

Since, more often than not, chiggers are brought in from the outside via legs there is a high chance that the bites on your legs are chigger bites. Chigger bites can also be on the groin, ankles, and feet.

On the other hand, bed bugs bite all of the extremities. Thus, it is better to note when the bites appeared first and where so that you have a better idea of the bug you are dealing with.The best way of identifying the bug is to look at the biting pattern. While bed bugs tend to bite in a straight line, chiggers bite randomly.

Symptoms: chigger bites vs bed bug bitesBoth chigger and bed bug bites bring along different symptoms and side effects.

The symptoms of chigger bites appear right after the enzyme is injected into the skin. Remember that a chigger bite itself is hardly noticeable. The most common symptoms include a flat or raised red colored bump on the skin or a skin bump that resembles a pimple or blister accompanied with itching that can be quite intense.

The primary symptom is itching, this is most intense after two days of being bitten. The itchiness can last for a number of days and the bitten area can take up to even 15 days to return to its normal appearance.

In the majority of the cases, the symptoms occur almost immediately after the chigger bites; however, they can start to progress or develop in the days following the bite. If there is no further irritation, then the symptoms usually go away after just a week.

There are also many cases where people dont feel the bite, or they dont experience any symptoms apart from the minuscule dots where the bug bit along with some minor irritation and inflammation.Meanwhile, a few people are hypersensitive to bites and can develop severe symptoms as well.Since a condition which is characterized by itching can cause extreme scratching, the person can experience disruption of the skin. As a result, there is a possibility of a secondary bacterial skin infection.

Almost all bed bug bites cause a degree of discomfort along with inflammation and itchiness. Other symptoms that bed bug bites lead to include a painful, burning sensation, an itchy, raised bump that has a clear center, or an itchy bump with a dark center but light surrounding areas that are often swollen.

Symptoms can also be small red welts or bumps in a line or a zigzag pattern, and small bumps surrounded by hives or blisters.

In some rare cases, some people experience severe symptoms or reactions after being bitten by a bed bug. These symptoms can include difficulty in breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swollen tongue, blisters, and nausea. Such individuals require immediate medical attention.

Both of the bites being discussed are to be treated differently and here is what you can do to reduce the swelling.

Bed Bug Remedies

There are only a handful of options when it comes to treating bed bug bites. However, the first step is to clean the bite, preferably using water and soap. If the bite is too itchy, then you must refer to antihistamines, anti-itch creams, and over-the-counter hydrocortisone.The affected area tends to heal on their own in just a week. However, if severe itchiness, inflammation, or swelling continues, then medical attention is definitely needed.

Preventing bed bug bites

The main way of preventing a bed bug bite is to stop the insect from entering, breeding, and feeding in the human environment. During the day, the bugs stay in the cracks in the mattresses, walls, flooring, and furniture. They can also be in vacuum canisters.Areas where infestations most commonly occur include condominium buildings, hotels, large offices, daycares, cruise ships, hospitals, vacation rentals, public transportation, shopping malls, second-hand stores, and college dorms.

Items that bring bed bugs into your house include used furniture, luggage, bedding, storage boxes, loungers placed in common areas, and shipped items.To prevent bed bug bites, you must reduce the number of hiding places and try out integrated pest management techniques. Wash and heat-dry the bedspreads, bed sheets, blankets, as well as other clothes that come in contact with the floor. Using a mattress encasement cover isolates bed bugs from you.Another great idea is to hire professional services and get an efficient pesticide sprayed in your house once a year. If this sound like an expensive option, this can be done by yourself using a bed bug spray.

For chigger bites

Similar to spider bites, first, take a shower and thoroughly scrub the skin with water and soap. This way, any chiggers that are still stuck to your body will be washed off. Then, with hot water, wash your clothes along with any towel or blankets that were in contact with the ground so that all the bugs hanging on are killed.

Next, treat the bites using an over-the-counter anti-itch ointment or cream such as hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, and menthol. For quick relief, you can also use a cold compress or antihistamine pills.Chigger bites can get better with time; however, if the bite still bothers you after some days, then you must see the doctor.

In some cases, you might need steroid shots to calm the swelling and itching. In case the bites become infected, then you might have to take antibiotics as well.

Preventing chigger bites

While spending time in grassy areas, you must either use an insect repellent with DEET or wear such clothing that has been treated with insecticides like permethrin. While spraying the insecticide, focus more on those areas where the chiggers may travel from the clothing to the skin such as necklines and cuffs.Natural sprays can also help to keep chiggers away. Try out those that include oils made from lemongrass, geranium, jojoba, tea tree, and citronella. Wear long pants and long sleeves with the pant legs safely tucked in the long socks so that you are not an easy target.

While its difficult to distinguish a chigger bite from a bed bug bite, there are some signs (mentioned above) that can help you figure it out, if inspected closely.

While both bites appear the same, the differences lie in the biting pattern and the symptoms one experiences after the bite.Make sure you take all the necessary measures to stay protected from both Bed bugs and Chiggers!

See original here:
Chigger bites vs bed bug bites: Identify bug bite differences