Things that parents should know about bed bugs

One of my greatest fears in life is…..bed bugs. The idea of bed bugs infiltrating our home and beds gives me the serious heebee jeebies – urgh! There’s a reason we say goodnight, don’t let the bed bugs bite isn’t there? I’m literally inwardly shuddering at the thought of it as I write this now. Needless to say, we all want to prevent bed bugs from being a problem in our homes. And making sure that you can tell if bed bugs are present and knowing when to take action to get rid of them straight away is a very good place to start.

So let’s get down to what to look out for and what about actions you can take to make it less likely that bed bugs will enter your home *shudder*.

How can you tell if you have a problem with bed bugs?

One of the most obvious signs of bed bugs being present in your home is red itchy bumps that appear on your body, or the bodies of your children. These bumps are normally in a line and appear in places such as the back, which is susceptible to bed bug bites.

These bumps appear as a reaction to being bitten and not everyone reacts in this way. There are other signs of the presence of bed bugs that you should look out for:

• The bed bugs themselves which are like a small lentil in shape. When bed bugs are fully grown, they are approximately a quarter of an inch in size.
• Bed bug droppings. It may look as though someone has sprinkled some pepper on your beds, or the surrounding area. This could actually be bed bug droppings.
• Dried blood droplets. Bed bugs bite so you may see the resulting tiny droplets of dried blood on bedding.

Do not forget that bed bugs do not necessarily restrict their presence to beds. You should also check places such as curtains, the edges of carpets and behind picture frames.

Preventing bed bugs from entering your home

Bed bugs are creatures that can be carried from place to place. This means that it’s a good idea to keep a check on any infestations that may be present at places your children visit, such as friends’ homes. You should also discourage your children from sharing clothes with others. In addition, you may want to keep a check on your children’s clothes and rucksacks for any sign of bed bugs. The important thing is to be vigilant without being overly paranoid.

Getting rid of bed bugs

Bed bugs can be prolific creatures so you need to make sure you take urgent action to get rid of them. One female can lay more than 400 eggs over her entire life. It’s also important to note that bed bugs do not feed all the time. You may not experience any bites in your household for months. This does not mean that the bed bugs have gone.

You can see why it’s so important to make sure you get rid of any bed bugs that are present, as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to contact an exterminator in Chesapeake or your local area. The professionals will make sure that the job is completed quickly and effectively.

Do you worry about bed bugs in your home? What actions do you take to prevent them?

*This is a collaborative post

photo credit: Cedpics le futur s’annonce beau… via photopin (license)

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