What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They can reach about 1/4 inch in length and have flat, oval-shaped, wingless bodies. They are reddish-brown in color and may be mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches.
What does a bed bug bite look like?
Most bed bug bites are painless at first but later become large, itchy skin welts. These welts do not have a red spot in the center like fleabites. Although bed bugs are a nuisance, they are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs cannot be identified by their bite alone.
How does a home become infested with bed bugs?
People often carry bed bugs into homes without knowing in infested luggage, furniture, bedding or clothing. They can also travel between apartments through wall and floor cracks.
How do I know if my home is infested with bed bugs?
You may notice itchy skn welts. You may also see the bed bugs themselves, small bloodstains from crushed insects or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to see them because they hide in or near beds, other furniture and cracks.
How can I get rid of beg bugs?
The Baltimore City Health Department recommends that homeowners hire pest control professionals licensed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
The pest control company should:
- Inspect your home to confirm the presence of bed bugs.
- Find and eliminate their hiding places.
- Treat your home with special cleaning and/or pesticides if needed.
- Make return visits to make sure bed bugs are gone.
- Be sure to hire a licensed exterminator. Ask to see a copy of the license or check directly with the Maryland Department of Agriculture by calling 410-841-5710 or visiting: http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/pesticide_regulation/pesticide_db.php.
Is it necessary to use pesticides to get rid of bed bugs?
The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to clean, disinfect and eliminate hiding places. Pest control professionals may use a pesticide. Talk with the professional about safe use of pesticides and make sure they:
- Use the least toxic pesticide.
- Follow instructions and warnings on product labels.
- Advise you to stay out of treated rooms and when it is safe to return.
- Treat mattresses and sofas by applying small amounts of pesticides on seams only - NEVER on top of mattresses or sofas.
How can I get rid of bed bugs?
1. Find out where bed bugs are hiding in your home. Use a flashlight to look for bed bugs or their droppings in bedroom furniture. Check:
- Behind your headboard.
- The seams of your mattress and inside the box spring.
- Along bedroom baseboard cracks.
- In and around nightstands.
- Other bedroom items, such as windows and door casings, pictures, moldings, cracks in plaster and partitions and clutter.
2. Clean areas where bed bugs are likely to hide.
- Clean bedding, linens, curtains, rugs, carpets and clothes. To kill bed bugs, wash items in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer setting for 60 minutes. Soak delicate clothes in warm water with lots of laundry soap for several hours before rinsing.
- Scrub mattress seams with a stiff brush to dislodge bed bugs and eggs. Vacuum mattresses, bed frames, furniture, floors and carpets. Pay special attention to cracks and open spaces. Immediately after vacuuming, put the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag and dispose in an outdoor container.
- If you find bed bugs on a mattress, cover it with a waterproof, zippered mattress covere labeled "allergen rated" or "for dust mites." Keep the cover on for at least one year.
- If your box spring is infested, seal it inside a vinyl box spring cover for at least one year. If no cover is available, seal the mattress in 6 mil plastic and duct tape and label "Bed Bugs" and throw away.
- Dispose of infested items or clutter that can't be cleaned. Seal tightly in a plastic garbage bag and discard in an outside container.
- Repair cracks in plaster and loose wallpaper
3. Be very cautious about using pesticides yourself. Pesticides can be hazardous to people and pets. If you choose to use a pesticide, or a licensed exterminator suggests you use one, follow these precautions:
- Only use pesticides clearly labeled for bed bug extermination. Never use a cockroach spray, or other pesticide that does not list bed bugs on the label.
- Follow label instructions exactly.
- Never spray pesticides on top of a mattress or sofas, or in areas where children are present.
- Avoid "insecticide bombs" and "foggers" in your home. These products can spread hazardous chemicals throughout your home.
How can I keep bed bugs out of my home?
- Wash clothing and bedding immediately after returning from a trip.
- Inspect used furniture for bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
- Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs or upholstered furniture into your home.
How can I keep my furniture from infesting someone else's home?
- Never resell or donate infested furniture.
- If you throw infested furniture away, make it undesirable to others by cutting or poking holes in its upholstery or making it unusable. Tape a sign to it that says "Bed Bugs."
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