Bed bugs are extremely small parasitic creatures that feed on warm blooded animals such as humans. Their main food source is blood and commonly likes to live in safe places such as bed linens and mattresses. They prefer warmer climates and have a tendency to come out and feed on their human hosts during the nocturnal hours of night. Because of their small size, bed bugs can largely go unnoticed. There are many related species to the bedbug which can feed not only on humans but livestock, poultry and bats as well.

Although the initial bites of a bed bug usually cannot be felt by the host, the toxins released by the insect can create marks or small sores sometimes hours after the first bite. After the bug has had its fill of blood, it retreats back into the recesses of the bed cover or mattress. These insects are incredibly tough in terms of their need to feed. Some species are able to go up to 18 months without feeding.

Most bites are accompanied by itching and raised bumps. Some people may however see even worse allergic symptoms including serious illness. Continued exposure to bed bugs in a small percentage of human hosts has also showed prolonged health issues such as anemia. Bacterial infections are also possible if a person has had repeated exposure to bed bugs.

In recent years, bedbugs seem to be on an uprising and can be found in many heavily populated areas all over the world. Many different variant species of the bed bug have shown resilience to common pesticides over the recent years; which has created issues in terms of containing their gaining populations. Bed bugs have several means of travel available to their disposal. Some of the most common ways that bedbugs can make their way into a person’s home is through old furniture, pets, and through people who frequent hotels or similar establishments.

Some of the most common ways to get rid of bed bugs besides specific pesticides is to use steam. Although this method usually isn’t one hundred percent effective in terms of total elimination of the problem, it can be served as a way to limit the growth and spread of the insect. Rubbing alcohol can be used on hard surfaces such as bed frames.

A temporary solution to keep bed bugs from biting is the barrier method. People can wrap their bed mattress or other infected furniture with plastic in order to keep the insects away from the affected human hosts. Cleanliness can always aid in the control and removal of bed bugs. Be sure to thoroughly wash all bed linens, pillows, clothing, stuffed animals and fabrics in the home. Scrub and seal all exposed cracks and crevices in the home.

Many human and pet safe insecticides are available to the consumer with a bed bug problem. These can either take the form as dusts or spray types. When dealing with a heavily infested and worn bed mattress, the owner should carefully consider whether or not to remove and trash it. When throwing away a bed mattress that is infested with bed bugs, the home owner should always thoroughly wrap and seal it before throwing it away. This will ensure that the bugs will not spread to other households within the area.