© 2023 Rentokil Initial plc and subject to the conditions in the Legal Statement.
Bed bugs are probably the most unwelcomed guests in our home because of their speed of reproduction and the health harm they caused to us. Found almost anywhere besides home, such as favorite places we will hang out like movie theatres, airplanes, hotels and recreation clubs, perhaps one of the danger we all fear of bed bugs are their bites.
Top 3 common misperceptions on bug bites
Covering yourself from head to toe with long sleeved clothing is probably your best bet against getting insect bite or bug bites from places you visit.
Perhaps, the most lingering question we have in mind is do bed bugs bite through clothes? But first, let’s hear of the top 3 most common misperceptions we have in preventing ourselves from getting bitten from bed bugs.
- We are safe so long as we cover ourselves with blanket right up to the neck
- Wearing long sleeved pyjamas will keep us protected
- Thick fabrics prevent the possibility for bed bugs to bite through
Reasons why we are not spared from bites
Here are reasons why we are not spared despite diligently covering ourselves up.
- Bugs could be nesting on your bed sheets and mattresses without being noticed, thus the chance of being exposed to them every time you lie in bed.
- Fabrics play a part too. Thin or mesh-like materials may just allow bed bugs to slip in through the materials and onto your skin.
While bed bugs have to be in direct contact with our skin in order to get bitten, they are not capable of biting through clothes due to the fact that their mouths aren’t long enough to suck blood through most materials.
Get rid of bed bugs with professional help
Bed bugs will go into hiding after a blood feed for days and because of their tiny and flat body nature, they can go undetected by individuals. They hide in impossible tight spaces and corners, and at times unexpected hideouts including the edges of bed seams, gaps in between sofa and curtain folds. With their reproduction and tough survival capabilities, bed bugs can stay in your home for weeks and months and spread their presence to other rooms quickly.
Pest control specialist conducts bed bug control where they have the expertise and knowledge to locate bed bugs hot spots, and perform spraying treatment while also eliminating the eggs with steam treatment. As re-infestation can occur easily for a bed bug infestation, the specialist will also conduct after treatment inspection and monitoring to make sure no remaining bugs are left behind to breed further.
How to protect yourself from bed bug bites?
To learn how to protect yourself from bed bug bites, you have to understand the basics of what makes you attractive to bed bugs.
- They are attracted to body warmth and carbon dioxide and not dirt - This explains why they are usually found in places we rest including mattresses, bed frames and couches.
- They feed exclusively on blood meal - Unlike only female mosquitoes bite and feed for blood meal; bed bugs seek blood for its primary survival.
- They target us at night when we are asleep - Bed bugs are nocturnal, just like cockroaches and rats, and only attack us at night when our vigilance level is almost zero.
- Bed bug bites usually take a while to surface - Bites may take several days to become visible unlike mosquitoes’ bites that appear almost instantly with a bump.
- You’ve been injected with analgesic during biting process – Because of the analgesic effect as bed bugs bite into our skin, hence, we tend not to feel anything.
Not sure what pests has bitten you? Read here to find out if your bites are by bed bugs, or some other pests.
However, it is best to engage professional bed bug control specialist to remove early infestation symptoms due to their speed in infestation spread.
Get in touch with us today by calling us on our hotline (65) 63478138
FAQ about bed bugs that you should know
How can we prevent bed bugs from coming back to our home?
Even after you have sought out professional pest control to deal with a bed bug infestation, you can take further bed bugs prevention habits to avoid a recurrence. Firstly, avoid second-hand furniture as they are potential breeding grounds for bugs. Secondly, putting a protective cover over the mattresses can prevent hiding opportunity. Thirdly, change your bedsheets and clean your bed regularly can eliminate physical presence for further breeding. Fourthly, washing your clothes and luggage immediately after coming back from travelling and avoid putting them on the bed. Finally, detect and check for b regularly can prevent an infestation from escalating.
Will traveling cause bed bug infestation in a home?
Being so small, bed bugs can hook onto our clothes and luggage without being detected and they can travel and spread from place to place easily. Bed bugs may even lay their eggs onto items land be transported another location causing a spread. Bed bugs are known to be cross-infested and hence, it is important to always check for presence of bed bugs regularly to prevent a breeding from taking place.
How do I tell if its a bed bug bite?
Signs of bed bug bites include:
- Either being arranged in lines or clusters
- A swollen red blister with a dark centre
- Being itchy and causing a need to scratch
As bed bugs bite on exposed skin, their bites usually occur on the face, neck, arms, and hands. Do note that symptoms take a few days to develop and usually go away on their own within weeks. You can apply an anti-itch cream or take anti-histamines to relief the symptoms. Visit the doctor immediately if the condition worsens.
Where should I check for bed bugs in a bedroom
Bed bugs are usually found in the room including:
- The seams and tags of the mattress and box spring
- Cracks on the headboard and bed frame
- In heavily infested rooms in drawer joints, electrical sockets
- Anywhere with cracks that allow them to burrow into
- Among carpets and rugs
- Within furniture such as arm chair and sofa
- Along grooves, seams and edges of curtain
If you happen to find bed bugs in a bedroom, you should engage a professional pest control service in Singapore as they have expert solutions in detecting and getting rid of them.
What are some bed bug natural remedies to keep them away
Some natural remedies include rubbing vinegar in areas where bed bugs were spotted or spraying bed bugs with a vinegar solution. Spraying essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint onto your bed. The strong scent is off-putting to bed bugs. In addition, some will spraying a mixture of baking soda and water solution on bed bugs. Do note that while these remedies can kill some bed bugs, it will not get rid of their eggs and population. Bed bug eggs are incredibly difficult to spot as they are often hidden in cracks and crevices. Therefore, it will be in your best interests to call a professional bed bug control specialist in Singapore to rid both bed bugs and their eggs effectively.
Are bed bugs harmful to our health and safety?
Bed bugs do not threaten our safety, as they generally do not cause structural damage to property. While they do not spread diseases through their bites, bed bugs can cause harm to humans in other ways. Continuous scratching of their bites may lead to infections while some people have been known to develop allergic reactions to them. In some cases, it causes sleep deprivation and mental stress as they address the recurring and unresolved bed bug infestation. As such, it is important to engage a professional pest control service to get rid of bed bugs before they have a chance to develop into an infestation and cause further investments to replacing home furnishing and items.
Fast Response Required
Fast Response Team
With over 500 Rentokil technicians island-wide to serve your needs.
Get in touch
Get in touch with us to find out the treatments available.
Bed Bug Pest
Guide Learn about the lifecycle and habits of bed bugs