How to deal with a bedbug infestation
Unlike most pests, which hibernate during the winter, bedbugs are active all year long. How do you detect them, and above all, how do you get rid of them effectively?
Detecting bedbugs
About the size of an apple seed, bedbugs are visible to the naked eye. They’re mostly active at night and typically avoid light. If you suspect you may have an infestation, check dark, tight spaces such as: • Behind peeling wallpaper
• Decorative frames
• Cracks in the walls and floors
• Books
• Mouldings
• Window and door frames
• Sheet hems
• Electric outlets
• Box springs and mattresses (inspect the seams)
• Carpets and curtains
• Headboards
• Drawers
• Suitcases
• Clothing
As well as checking for live bedbugs, you should also look for bodies, skins, eggs (whitish and the size of a pinhead, typically laid in clusters) and droppings (small black spots).
Bedbug bites look similar to mosquito bites. They’re usually grouped on parts of the body that are exposed during sleep.
Getting rid of bedbugs
In case of a bedbug infestation, call a professional exterminator who uses safe, environmentally friendly products. It’s best not to try to get rid of these pests by yourself. Apart from being bad for human and pet health, improper use of pesticides can make bedbugs resistant to them, thereby worsening the situation. A pest management company is your best ally to resolve the situation once and for all.