Most individuals in the West will never see a bed bug.
In one way, they are an old-time household pest.
This is because houses are cleaner and mattresses are synthetic.
Having said that, you may encounter them.
You might not see them, because they hide during the daytime and only come out at night.
However, the next morning you will know that they have been because you will have bite marks.
Bed bugs suck your blood.
Bed bugs will travel a long way to get to you and then will go home for a good day's sleep, although sometimes they cannot get home if they have eaten too much.
Bed bugs normally like to live in cracks and holes like behind skirting boards.
One way of testing for bed bugs is to sit a bar of soap in half an inch of water for half an hour while you lay on the bed reading a book.
Then, get up and fetch the soap, wet side down.
Whip the bedclothes back swiftly and if you have bed bugs dab them with the soap.
They will be attracted by your body heat, but you will have to be quick, because they are very swift when they have not eaten.
If you are in a hotel, you will now have evidence for the hotel manager.
So, if your house has an infestation of bed bugs or if you just want to give it a clean sweep, just to make certain, how do you do it?.
Perhaps the best place to start is your bed.
Is the mattress OK? If it is torn either sew it up good and tight or get a new one.
Change your sheets at least once a week, it is not only more hygienic, but you will also be able to check for stragglers that have not made it home.
Next, check your skirtings.
Are they loose, ill-fitting or even decayed? If so, have them fixed or replaced.
While the skirtings are off, drench the brickwork or plaster behind there with a strong insecticide and then fit the skirtings back tight.
If you are still worried, seal them top and bottom with mastic or silicone.
The next step is to spray your floors and carpets, the whole floor space with permethrin.
Permethrin will kill fleas, ticks, woodlice, bed bugs and spiders for up to six months and it will resist washing as well.
You should now be clear of the little blighters.
If you are in a hotel, bed bugs are intolerable no matter which country you are in and it is the hotel manager's duty to get rid of them.
Otherwise, get a tin of permethrin or some flea powder and spray or dust it along the base of the skirtings.
If they are in your mattress, have it changed for an undamaged one and try the soap test again.
If you are in rented accommodation, ask your neighbours if they have the same problem.
Be tactful, some people may be too embarrassed to admit it.
You will have to inform your landlord as it is his responsibility to manage such pests in his buildings.
If he or she is reluctant to help, say, in as pleasant a manner as possible, that you cannot live like that and that you will have to get some advice from the council.
That should gee your landlord up.
In one way, they are an old-time household pest.
This is because houses are cleaner and mattresses are synthetic.
Having said that, you may encounter them.
You might not see them, because they hide during the daytime and only come out at night.
However, the next morning you will know that they have been because you will have bite marks.
Bed bugs suck your blood.
Bed bugs will travel a long way to get to you and then will go home for a good day's sleep, although sometimes they cannot get home if they have eaten too much.
Bed bugs normally like to live in cracks and holes like behind skirting boards.
One way of testing for bed bugs is to sit a bar of soap in half an inch of water for half an hour while you lay on the bed reading a book.
Then, get up and fetch the soap, wet side down.
Whip the bedclothes back swiftly and if you have bed bugs dab them with the soap.
They will be attracted by your body heat, but you will have to be quick, because they are very swift when they have not eaten.
If you are in a hotel, you will now have evidence for the hotel manager.
So, if your house has an infestation of bed bugs or if you just want to give it a clean sweep, just to make certain, how do you do it?.
Perhaps the best place to start is your bed.
Is the mattress OK? If it is torn either sew it up good and tight or get a new one.
Change your sheets at least once a week, it is not only more hygienic, but you will also be able to check for stragglers that have not made it home.
Next, check your skirtings.
Are they loose, ill-fitting or even decayed? If so, have them fixed or replaced.
While the skirtings are off, drench the brickwork or plaster behind there with a strong insecticide and then fit the skirtings back tight.
If you are still worried, seal them top and bottom with mastic or silicone.
The next step is to spray your floors and carpets, the whole floor space with permethrin.
Permethrin will kill fleas, ticks, woodlice, bed bugs and spiders for up to six months and it will resist washing as well.
You should now be clear of the little blighters.
If you are in a hotel, bed bugs are intolerable no matter which country you are in and it is the hotel manager's duty to get rid of them.
Otherwise, get a tin of permethrin or some flea powder and spray or dust it along the base of the skirtings.
If they are in your mattress, have it changed for an undamaged one and try the soap test again.
If you are in rented accommodation, ask your neighbours if they have the same problem.
Be tactful, some people may be too embarrassed to admit it.
You will have to inform your landlord as it is his responsibility to manage such pests in his buildings.
If he or she is reluctant to help, say, in as pleasant a manner as possible, that you cannot live like that and that you will have to get some advice from the council.
That should gee your landlord up.
Source...