What you should know about bedbugs

It seems like every year we hear about another bedbug epidemic. It makes sense, these little critters can live up to a year and go several months without food or water. On top of that, they can survive temperatures as low as 46°F and as high as 113°F. (Most folks keep their homes and businesses somewhere between those temperatures all year.) Plus, they’re tiny and great hitchhikers! Because creepy-crawlers tend to give us all the creepy-crawlies, we polled our social media followers for their questions about bedbugs and put together some basic info here.

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are tiny insects (think the width of a credit card) that feed on human blood. They look different at different life-cycle stages. Adult bugs are either brown or reddish in color, flat with oval shaped bodies, and the about the size of an apple seed. (Plus, they have a musty, sweetish smell.) You should also be on the lookout for young bedbugs and their eggs. Young bedbugs are even smaller than adults and white/yellowish or translucent. Meanwhile, their eggs are the size of a pinhead, pearly-white, and may be marked by an eyespot if more than five days old.

The first sign of bedbugs that most folks notice are bites on themselves or their family members. However, not everyone reacts to bedbug bites, so they can be difficult to spot. The trick is to know where and what to look for. Start with your mattresses and work your way out from there. (Bedbugs can travel up to 20 feet to feed at night.) Be sure to check the seams, tags, and any piping on your mattress, boxspring or upholstered furniture as well as any cracks in furniture, walls, or floors. Signs of bedbugs include:

• Rusty or reddish stains on bedsheets/mattresses (bedbugs being crushed)
• Small dark spots about the size of pen tip (bug excrement) that may bleed on the fabric like a marker would
• Eggs/eggshells (about 1mm)
• Pale yellow skins the young may have shed as they grow
• Live bedbugs

If you have a heavy infestation, you may also find signs of bedbugs in the seams of chairs/couches, between cushions, or the folds of curtains, drawer joints, electrical receptacles and appliances, in the head of a screw, the corner of walls/ceilings, or under loose wall paper or wall hangings.

Fortunately, bedbugs don’t transmit disease. They’re just a nuisance. Unless you’re one of the few who have more serious allergic reactions, at home first aid should be enough to soothe bite symptoms. Bites are typically painless and, if you do react, often appear in a line or cluster. These bites will likely be very small and possibly itchy. Occasionally, some folks have allergic reactions to the bites. If so, the bites could be large and itchy (up to 8 inches across), cause hive-like rashes, or form blister-like inflammation.

How do I get rid of them?

How you get rid of bedbugs depends on the severity of the infestation. Heat and pesticides are both proven to kill bedbugs and can be used on their own or together as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solution. IPM solutions take into account the life cycles of pests and how they interact with their environments to minimize harmful pesticide use. If you do use pesticides, consider hiring a professional and only use products labeled for the pest you have. Other pesticide precautions include:

• Never using products labeled “outdoor use only” indoors
• Following label instructions exactly
• Not spraying pesticides on mattresses, sofas, or anywhere children or pets are present
• Only using products with a manufacturer’s label
• Avoiding “insecticide bombs” and “foggers” in your home
• Using the least toxic option possible

Either way, when taking on bedbugs you’ll want to declutter and contain the damage, clean the infested area, eliminate bedbug habitats, and protect yourself agains future infestations.

Declutter & Contain: Don’t move things from the infested area to non-infested areas.

1. Grab some plastic trash bags and dispose of all excess magazines, newspapers, cardboard, and other paper products. As soon as a bag is full, immediately carry it to an outside bin.
2. Throw all infested items you don’t want to keep into trash bags. As soon as a bag is full, immediately carry it to an outside bin.
3. Pack clothing, linens, stuffed animals, and anything that can be put through the laundry and you plan to keep in sealed plastic bags.
4. Consider labeling or roughing up any furniture or large items you put in the trash, so no one else takes them home.

Clean: 

1. Heat infested clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, and anything else that can fit in and withstand a hot dryer on high heat for 30 minutes, then store in clean, sealed plastic bags or bins (bedbugs can’t climb the slippery surface of plastic).
2. Inspect and clean furniture, baseboards, behind outlets and switch covers, etc. to remove visible bedbugs or eggs.
3. Remove and clean drapes and drapery hardware.
4. Look for signs of bugs, eggs, or other evidence (shed skins, hatched eggs) on furniture, remove, and clean.
5. Vacuum thoroughly, then remove, seal, and dispose of the vacuum bag. Then, place  it in a trash bin outside.

Eliminate: Remove all bedbug habitats.

1. Keep your home clear of clutter. Dispose of cardboard boxes or excess paper and keep clothes off the floor.
2. Fill cracks and crevices around baseboards and window frames with caulk.
3. Repair any wall damage and ensure wallpaper is not loose.
4. Check and clean outlets and wall switches for evidence of bedbugs and tape/caulk rim to prevent bedbugs from getting behind plates.
5. Inspect for signs of bedbugs every 7 days in case some were missed or eggs have hatched.

Prevent: Keep your home bedbug free.

• Check secondhand furniture for signs of infestation before bringing it home.
• Wash and dry (on high heat) second hand clothing.
• Use a protective cover on mattress and boxspring to eliminate hiding spots, then check regularly for tears or holes.
• Reduce clutter for bugs to hide in.
• Vacuum frequently.
• Install door sweeps on the bottom of doors that lead to shared hallways.
• Seal cracks and crevices around baseboards, light sockets, windows, etc.
• When using shared laundry facilities, transport laundry in plastic bags and fold it at home.
• Store your office or school items in a plastic bin if there is a known infestation.

Still have questions?

We used trusted sources like the Vermont Department of Health and EPA to answer some of your questions. They have even more information if you want to learn more. What questions do you still have about bedbugs? Leave us a comment!