How to get rid of bed bugs in the mattress?

How does the bedbug look?

Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) is a tiny wingless parasitic insect that feeds on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded creatures.

Typically, bed bugs are most active at night, though they do not adhere strictly nocturnal. Their preferred habitat is the bed or other places where people can sleep. Adult bedbug is1/4 inches long (or the size of an apple seed) and has a flat rusty-brown oval shaped body.

All bed bugs, including newly hatched, can be easily seen by human eye.

Basic facts about bed bugs

The typical life expectancy of bed bug is about 12 to 18 months.

Bed bugs can live for months without food.

Females bed bugs can lay up to 300 eggs in their lifetime.

Bed bugs are hatched from eggs within 2 weeks, 3 to 10 weeks they reach maturity, depending on the temperature and food availability.

It is not known whether bedbugs are the disease vectors but their bites may cause some people allergic reactions.

Where does the bedbug live and hide?

Bed bugs are often hidden near the place where a person sleeps. It may be cracks and crevices in the bed or mattress, furniture, behind baseboards, behind the wallpaper.

In the initial or early stages of infection bedbugs usually collect mainly in the seams and folds of the mattress beams, and then pass into the cleft.

How do I know that there are bed bugs in the  house or apartment?

Bed bug’s bite is usually the first symptom, so you can learn that there are bed bugs in your home or apartment. Bites look like scars are flat or raised red bumps that are very often accompanied by intense itching. Second, the bites will appear almost every night and regularly. Bug bites are usually located in the lower parts of the body, legs and arms.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

To get rid of bed bugs you need perseverance, time and patience. Professional extermination of bedbugs is the most effective way. However, it is also possible to get rid of bed bugs yourself. Here are some activities that you can do yourself:

Vacuuming of the mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture for the destruction of bed bugs and their eggs. Pay particular attention to cracks, crevices and open spaces. Use a stiff brush. Immediately after treatment with a vacuum cleaner, vacuum bag must be recyclable.

Thoroughly clean your bedding, linens, curtains, rugs or clothing, where the bug lies more often. Use the spray for bed bugs in any area of probable infection. If you suspect that you have a bedbug in your bedding and clothing you should  remove it and wash in hot water (90 ° C) for at least 20 minutes. In addition, the steam treatment can also be used for cleaning and sterilization of soft toys, shoes, or any other items that can not always be treated with hot water.

Make repairs of sealing cracks and crevices between baseboards, beds and furniture. In addition, remove sagging wallpaper that create additional shelter for the bed bugs.