Recognising Bed Bugs and their Eggs Spotting the Presence of Bed Bugs Knowing How Bed Bugs Spread Preventing Bed Bug Infestation Bed bugs can have significant impact on people’s health and quality of life. Knowing how to spot them is therefore essential in order to act quickly to prevent and effectively control bed bug infestations. Bed bugs have the following characteristics: They are visible to the naked eye Adult bed bugs are usually brown in colour. When filled with blood, their colour ranges from red to dark brown They are oval in shape and about the size of a flattened apple seed, 4 to 7 mm in length They neither jump nor fly They move at the speed of an ant They have a lifespan of 5 to 6 months. However, they can live more than a year without feeding when in a dormant state Bed bug eggs have the following characteristics: They are whitish in colour They are the size of a pinhead They are laid-out in clusters and attached in various small, tight spaces
They hatch about 10 to 14 days after being laid Bed bugs are most active at night. They mainly live in bedrooms. They avoid light, seeking shelter in dark, narrow and inaccessible places. Certain clues can help spot the presence of bed bugs. Clues on the Skin Bites similar to those of mosquitoes, which cause itchiness Bites that appear on parts of the body not covered during sleeping hourswhen asleep. The first bites can be clustered or aligned on your skin if you’ve slept in a heavily infested area. Afterwards, if you continue to live in the infested place, bites appear all over your bodyskin. Clues on the Bed Small black spots on sheets, mattresses or bedsprings. These spots come from bed bug excrements; Presence of live or dead bed bugs, shed skin or eggs near the sleeper. These traces can be found in on the bed or near it Bed Bug Hiding Places At the beginning of an infestation, beg bugs tend to hide near the place they feed,.
They hide onunder the mattress and the bedspringElles se cachent ainsi sur le matelas et le sommier, , meaning close to the sleeping person they will bite. When the infestation grows, the bed bugs can spread and hide elsewhere in the bedroom. Elles peuvent ensuite se déplacer dans les autres pièces.They can then move to other rooms. Voici des exemples de cachettes possibles :Here are examples of possible hiding places : Bedsprings, seams and bottoms of mattresses, and hems of bedding Headboards, bedroom furniture and drawers Clothing, backpacks, handbags and suitcases Chairs, wheelchairs, sofas and covers Mouldings and window or door frames Back of baseboard heaters and electrical outlets Peeled tapestry, frames and posters Cracks in the plaster, wood or floor Papers, books, telephones, radios and clocks The larger the infestation, the more bed bugs will spread to other rooms in the house and to other lodgings. Bed bugs can be found everywhere, even in the cleanest houses and hotels.
They can move in very narrow and inaccessible places, such as a gap the thickness of a credit card. Through close contact with frequently used items such as clothing, handbags, wheelchairs, mattresses, sofas, etc. When transporting infested items, especial during house moves Through walls, ceilings and floors, by crawling into pipes, ducts, electric cables or other openings Through bed sheets, clothing or other fabrics brought to private or public laundry facilities Through used items bought at flea markets, second-hand stores, and used furniture stores Through the recuperation of furniture or objects left on the street During trips, in infested luggage, bags, clothing or sleeping bags Here are a few tips to avoid bed bug infestation. Avoid accumulating stuff and leaving them laying around the house. This way, you will reduce the number of places in which bed bugs can hide. Inspect All Second-hand Clothing Be cautious when you get second-hand clothing.
Make sure you inspect them carefully. Carry clothes in a sealed bag, in such a way that nothing can enter or leave the container. As soon as you get home, clean the clothes following these tips for Treating Fabrics and Objects. Inspect All Used Articles Avoid bringing home used items in bad condition or left on sidewalks, such as mattresses, bedsprings, wood or upholstered furniture. Bed bugs can infest these items. Should you wish to take one of these used items home, inspect them carefully. Treat them with hot steam by following these steps for Treatment without Washer or Dryer. Place mattresses or bedsprings in an anti-bed bug cover afterhot steam treatment. Take Precautions when Travelling When you go to a hotel, put your suitcases on luggage racks or in the bathtub. Avoid storing your clothes and personal belongings in drawers or placing them on the floor or bed. Briefly inspect your bedroom, especially your bed. If you detect the presence of bed bugs in the room, on your clothes or elsewhere, put all your personal effects in a plastic bag.
Seal the bag and keep your stuff in it until you have treated them. To treat your personal effects, follow these tips for Treating Fabrics and Objects. Inspect your Luggage after Travelling Upon your return, place your luggage on a hard surface, such as the bathroom, entrance or garage floor. Inspect your luggage carefully. If you suspect the presence of bed bugs, treat your luggage and its content by following these tips for Treating Fabrics and Objects. Last update: November 21, 2016 12:11 PM The right furniture can complete a room and bring the whole family together. Below you'll discover second hand furniture for sale ready to collect and bring home. From comfy sofas to dining tables to shelving units to house your belongings in, you could replace everything for a reasonable price. It doesn't just end inside the house though, instead of rummaging through that garden furniture sale at your local DIY store browse below for high quality outdoor pieces that are already assembled and ready to use here on the site.