If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about bed bugs until you see one. And by then, it’s usually too late. Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that can be difficult to detect and get rid of. They feed on human blood and can cause a variety of health problems. For example, they can leave nasty welts on your skin that are itchy and uncomfortable. And if you’re unlucky enough to get a lot of bites, they can even cause an allergic reaction.
In this article, we will discuss how to prevent bed bug bites while sleeping. So read on for all the tips and tricks you need to keep those pesky critters away!
Summary: How To Prevent Bed Bug Bites While Sleeping?
Preventing, managing, and eradicating bed bug infestations is simple if you know what to do. Here are some home treatments for preventing, controlling, and cleaning out an infestation of bed bugs:
- Wash all bedding, including your mattress and box spring, in hot water and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that are present.
- Vacuum your entire house, paying special attention to cracks and crevices where bed bugs could hide. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag immediately afterward to prevent the bed bugs from escaping back into your home.
- Apply a residual insecticide to cracks and crevices around your home where bed bugs could hide. This will help to kill any that are present and will also deter new ones from moving in.
- Don’t buy or bring furniture from infested areas or areas with recent bed bug outbreaks.
- Inspect your home regularly for signs of bed bugs, such as blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases, dark spots on your mattress or furniture, or small white eggs in crevices around your home. If you see any of these signs, take action immediately to prevent an infestation from taking hold.
- Choose furniture or objects made of materials that do not have cracks, ridges, or open seams that bed bugs could hide in.
- Keep your home clean and clutter-free to make it harder for bed bugs to find places to hide.
- Fill or seal cracks, crevices, and seams with adhesives or calking.
- Use a hand steamer to destroy eggs and insects in luggage or upholstered objects.
- If you travel, inspect your hotel room for signs of bed bugs before unpacking. If you find any, request a new room that is not adjacent to the infested one. Keep your luggage and other items on racks or shelves away from the floor, furniture, or bed.
- Encasements for mattresses, box springs, and pillows can help to prevent bed bugs from infesting them.
- You may need to burn infested furniture or items to get rid of bed bugs.
- Call a professional exterminator if you need help. Do not try to treat an infestation yourself, as this can make it worse.
How To Prevent Bed Bug Bites While Sleeping?
1. Make sure you have bed bug infestations – If you wake up with bug bites, it doesn’t mean it’s from bed bugs. Check for signs of infestation such as:
- Small brown or red spots on your sheets (bed bug feces).
- Tiny red, brown, or black bugs in the seams of your mattress or in other cracks and crevices.
- Bloodstains on your sheets from squashed bed bugs.
- A musty smell.
If you don’t see any of these signs, then the bites could be from something else, like mosquitoes or fleas.
2. Keep your bedroom clean and clutter-free – Bed bugs are attracted to places where they can hide, so a cluttered room provides more opportunities for them to infest your space. Get rid of anything lying around on the floor, like clothes, shoes, and bags. Also, put away any books, magazines, and other things lying around. The less clutter there is, the easier it will be to spot bedbugs.
3. Wash all of your bedding in hot water – This includes your sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and anything else that’s been in contact with your skin while you were sleeping. Wash them in hot water and dry them in the hottest setting. This will kill any bedbugs that are hiding in your bedding.
4. Vacuum your bedroom – Vacuum the entire room, including under the bed, furniture, and baseboards. This will help get rid of any bedbugs that are crawling around.
5. Use a protective cover on your mattress and box spring – This will help keep bed bugs from getting into these areas in the first place. You can find covers at most home improvement stores.
6. Get rid of anything that can’t be washed or vacuumed – If you have any items that can’t be washed or vacuumed, like stuffed animals, you’ll need to get rid of them. Bedbugs can easily hide in these things and keep coming back if you don’t get rid of them.
7. Inspect any secondhand furniture before bringing it into your home – Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on used furniture, bed frame, or mattress—so it’s crucial to inspect it thoroughly before bringing it into your home. Look for any signs of bedbugs, such as tiny brown or red spots. Don’t bring the furniture into your home if you see anything suspicious.
8. Take precautions to prevent future infestations – Once you’ve gotten rid of the bedbugs, take steps to prevent them from returning. These include keeping your bedroom clean and clutter-free, vacuuming regularly, and using a protective cover on your mattress and box spring.
9. Think through your treatment options – Don’t grab the spray can right away. There are many home remedies and over-the-counter products available, but not all of them are effective. Some can even make the problem worse. If you’re unsure about what to use, ask your doctor or pest control professional for advice. If you decide to use a pesticide, follow the directions carefully and only use it as directed.
10. Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bed bug control – While freezing bedbugs can kill them, it’s often difficult to get the temperature low enough to be effective. This method is also not typically recommended in homes with small children or pets.
11. Professional fumigation is usually necessary to get rid of a severe infestation – This method involves sealing your home and filling it with poisonous gas. It should only be used as a last resort, as it is hazardous and can pose health risks to you and your family.
12. Prevent future infestations – Once you’ve gotten rid of the bedbugs, take steps to prevent them from coming back. These steps include keeping your bedroom clean and clutter-free, washing your bedding regularly, and using a protective cover on your mattress and box spring. In addition, if you travel, be sure to inspect any secondhand furniture before bringing it into your home. With some vigilance, you can keep bedbugs from taking over your home again.
13. Don’t spread bed bugs to others – One of the most important things to remember is not to spread bed bugs to other people’s homes. If you think you have bedbugs, don’t go to someone else’s house until you’ve taken care of the problem. And be sure to wash all of your bedding and vacuum your bedroom before guests come over. By taking these precautions, you can protect your family and friends from getting infested with bedbugs.
14. If you suspect you have bedbugs, call a professional exterminator – Attempting to get rid of bedbugs on your own is often unsuccessful and can even worsen the problem. A professional will have the knowledge and experience necessary to get rid of the infestation.
15. Don’t panic and be patient – Dealing with a bed bug infestation can be frustrating, but you need to stay calm and patient. While bedbugs can be a nuisance, they are not known to transmit any diseases. Therefore, you can get rid of them with some time and effort. However, as we said, you need to be patient, as it often takes several rounds of treatment to get rid of an infestation completely.
FAQs (Frequently Asking Questions)
What can I put on your body to prevent bed bug bites?
You can use these five things on your skin to repel bed bugs from biting:
- Vicks Vaporub
- White vinegar
- Essential oils such as lavender oil
- Bed bug repellents
- Coconut oil
Will coconut oil keep bed bugs from biting?
No, bed bugs don’t seem to be attracted to coconut oil. This is because coconut oil does not have a good flavor for humans or insects.
Can bed bugs live in your pillow?
Bed bugs cannot live in your pillow. Bed bugs need a blood meal to survive, and they will not get one from a pillow. Bed bugs are mainly found in the crevices of furniture, mattresses, and bedding.
What kills bed bugs instantly?
There are a few different methods that can kill bed bugs instantly. One is to use a steam cleaner to blast them with hot steam, which will kill them immediately. Another is to use a pesticide or insecticide, also killing them quickly. You can also use a heat gun to raise the temperature in the room to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which will instantly kill the bed bugs. Finally, you can use a cold treatment to freeze them, which will also kill them instantly.
How can you prevent bed bug bites while sleeping?
There are a few different ways to prevent bed bug bites while sleeping. One is to sleep with your head and neck covered so that the bed bugs cannot get to your skin. Another is to sleep on a mattress that has been treated with bed bug repellent. Finally, you can put double-sided tape around your bed so that the bed bugs cannot crawl up onto your bed.
Will lotion stop bed bugs from biting?
No, the lotion will not stop bed bugs from biting. However, using a strong repellent like DEET can help keep them away.
What smell keeps bed bugs away?
Some people have found that using a lavender oil spray can help to keep these pests at bay.
What material do bed bugs hate?
The answer to this question is unknown, but research is ongoing. Some studies have shown that bed bugs may be repelled by certain essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. However, more research is needed to determine whether or not these oils are truly effective at preventing bed bug bites.
Do bed bugs stay on your body?
Bed bugs do not stay on your body; they usually crawl off once they have fed. However, if you have a severe infestation, it is possible for some bed bugs to remain on your body.
How do you sleep when you have bed bugs?
First, make sure to keep your bedroom clean and free of clutter. This will make it harder for bed bugs to hide and easier to spot them. Second, inspect your bedding and furniture regularly for signs of bed bugs. If you see any, be sure to remove them immediately. Finally, consider using a bed bug mattress cover to protect yourself from bites while you sleep. This will create a barrier between you and the bed bugs, making it much harder for them to bite you.
Do bed bugs stay on your skin or body during the day?
Bed bugs do not stay on your skin during the day. They are mainly active at night when they come out to feed on blood. However, it is still possible to get bed bug bites during the day if you are near an area where they are hiding. For example, if you sit on a chair that a bed bug was recently in, it is possible the bed bug may bite you.
Conclusion
There you have it—a few simple steps to prevent bed bug bites while sleeping. By following these tips, you can get rid of bedbugs for good and prevent them from coming back. If you have any questions or need help getting rid of bedbugs, don’t hesitate to call a professional exterminator. They can help you get your home back to normal in no time.
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