Bed bugs are tiny, reddish-brown insects that many people fear because of their ability to hide and evade removal. These creatures consume the blood of humans and insects as they sleep, which is why they prefer to infest mattresses and bedding. Services like bed bug removal in Niagara can help with the issue, but it is often more helpful to try to prevent the problem in the first place. Here are some things that attract bed bugs and some methods of elimination.

Attraction: Body Heat

Beg bugs are cold-blooded creatures and are attracted to the body heat that warm-blooded humans, cats and dogs provide. These bugs are partial to warmer temperatures and can detect body heat from as far away as one meter. This high level of detection helps them survive, as they associate warmth with the consumption of blood, which is how they obtain nutrients. Since people cannot easily control the amount of body heat they give off, it is important to do other things to dissuade bed bugs from coming around, such as using lighter-coloured sheets on the bed.

Attraction: Carbon Dioxide

People give off carbon dioxide when they breathe, and bed bugs use this chemical as another indicator that a food source is nearby. Again, humans can not help but breathe during their sleep, but they can watch out for signs of a bed bug infestation, such as:

• Waking up to red spots on the face, neck, and other areas of the body

• Noticed tiny blood spots on bedding where a bug bite occurred during the night

• Observing small fecal matter on the sheets, mattress, and floor surrounding the bed 

When checking into a hotel, lifting the sheets to check for bugs is a good idea. You should do this regardless of whether you are staying in a lower-end motel or a higher-end resort that appears very clean, as bed bugs can exist anywhere.

Attraction: Dirty Laundry

Bed bugs love anything with a person’s scent, which makes previously worn laundry very attractive to them. These insects also use dirty laundry baskets as a hiding spot to hang out during the day and go undetected before making their way to your bed at night. If you use shared laundry facilities, take extra care not to mingle your items with those of other tenants.

Elimination: Removing Clutter

Bed bugs are attracted to clutter, such as piles of laundry, for their warmth and hiding opportunities. While clean and tidy spaces are still prone to pests, clutter can make it more difficult to spot bed bugs before the pest control situation gets out of control. If you are overwhelmed by the clutter in your home, consider donating gently worn items that you rarely or never use.

Elimination: Washing Bedding and Clothing

Although bed bugs like warmth, they do not do well in extreme temperatures. Washing your sheets, comforter and clothes in hot water and then drying them on a high heat dryer cycle is one of the most effective ways to eliminate bed bugs. Ensure that water and air temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celcius to ensure a lethal temperature for these pests. To go a step further, scrub the fabrics while in the washing process as an extra layer of insurance.

Elimination: Seal Paint and Wallpaper Cracks

If you are wondering how to get rid of bed bugs, you might be surprised to learn that they can hide in the crevices of paint and wallpaper. To eliminate this possibility, fix and seal any cracks in your paint and wallpaper.

Give Truly Nolen Canada a call if you are experiencing a bed bug problem. Our professionals can safely identify and eliminate the problem for good.