How to avoid bed bug bites

Before you can prevent a bed bug from biting you, you need to know something more about these little insects. They are very small and almost imperceptible In sight, however, they can reach the size of an apple seed. They are usually reddish-brown in color, wingless, and nocturnal.

Because bed bugs are so small and difficult to see with the naked eye, you need to know the signs to watch for in order to know if you have bed bugs in your bed or at home. If you suspect bed bugs, follow these tips to check:

• With the help of a flashlight, check if any of these insects have gotten into your mattress (especially its seams), bed frame or sheets.
• Look for bed bug eggs in crevices or crevices. They are small, oval and whitish. They tend to accumulate in the seams of mattresses.
• Look for bed bug droppings. If you can’t see them with the naked eye, you may notice their droppings on mattresses or sofas, as they are brown in color and tend to accumulate.
• Another trail that bed bugs leave behind are shedding of skin. During their growth, bed bugs shed their skin and can leave it behind the headboards of beds, in baseboards or on mattresses.

And how do you know if a bed bug has bitten you? First of all, you should know that bed bugs come out at night, so they will bite you during sleeping hours. You will recognize bed bug bites by big bulky marks that will leave on your skin, accompanied – almost always – by stinging or itching. However, as with mosquitoes, there are different reactions to a bed bug bite that will vary depending on the skin and blood type of each person.

Likewise, a bedbug is not attracted to dirt but to blood, since they seek to feed in that way. If a bed bug infestation takes up residence in your home, you should notify an exterminator so that it ends with them. Think that they move easily and can easily pass from your mattress to your furniture, suitcases or boxes, as well as other rooms in the home through possible cracks in your wall.

Once home, bed bugs breed quickly and move from room to room easily. For that reason, the best way to avoid bed bug bites is to get rid of them permanently, and the best solution is to hire an exterminator.

To help you counteract the problem and avoid bed bug bites at home, you can also use a good trick to avoid being bitten by a bed bug overnight. Consists in Make a homemade bed bug repellent composed by:

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Dry soap (high caustic effect)
• Hot water

This repellent can be used at home, but you can also take it to hotels or tourist accommodation to avoid the travel bed bug bites. Follow these steps to prepare it:

1. Mix two to three tablespoons of dry soap with a half cup of rubbing alcohol.
2. Let it soak overnight.
3. The next morning, bring the mixture to a boil with hot water.
4. When you have it, dispense a layer of said solution on your mattress and on nearby areas where bed bugs may be hiding: furniture, carpets, cracks …
5. Let the solution work for about eight hours. Next, clean all the surfaces that have been dusted with the solution of isopropyl alcohol and dry soap with the help of a vacuum cleaner.

Ready! Carrying out this remedy once a week you will get rid of bed bugs that are in your home and help prevent them from appearing more. As always, if this doesn’t work, an expert exterminator will help you eliminate the plague.

If you also want to prepare a bed bug repellent for the body or clothing, a good option is to use essential oils like lavender oil. Also, the minty smell spread around bed and clothes will help keep bed bugs away.

Find out the best ways to get rid of bed bugs in our article How to Eliminate a Bed Bug Infestation.

If you have been bitten by a bed bug, it is likely that the affected area will start to itch and become inflamed. It is important that you wash the bite with soap and water and apply a calamine cream to relieve itching. Avoid scratching so that the wound caused by the bite does not become infected and see your doctor if you notice that the bite is becoming infected. Others home remedies for bed bug bites that can be very useful are:

1. Lemon juiceLemon is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial that helps reduce swelling and redness from bites. Apply the juice of a lemon directly on the bite to prevent infection.
2. Sodium bicarbonate: This ingredient that we usually have at home is a great anti-inflammatory, so it will help you reduce the swelling and redness of a bed bug bite. You just have to mix it with water until you get a paste, apply it on the bite and leave it to act for at least 10 minutes.
3. Chamomile with tea: if you have been bitten by a bed bug and you want to relieve the itching or soothe the swelling of your skin, you just have to put a cup of water to boil and add a tea bag and a chamomile bag. Next, put the chamomile bag on the bite and let it act for at least 10 minutes.

For avoid being bitten by a bed bug We recommend, first of all, to inspect if there is any in your home. Once your house is clean of bed bugs, you can take some care measures that will help you avoid that these annoying bugs settle in your home. Take note:

• Keep the rooms in your home clean and tidy.
• Change the sheets once a week.
• Vacuum frequently, especially in areas such as the sofa, rugs, and cushions.
• Do not bring home furniture that has been on the street.
• Don’t put purses or purses on beds or sofas.
• Close cracks around electrical outlets and pipes.
• If you’ve been away from home for a while, check the mattresses, chairs, and sofas when you arrive.
• If you have been in hotels or places where you may have been in contact with bed bugs, wash your clothes and shoes at the highest temperature that they resist.

In this oneHOWTO article we suggest other ways to kill bed bugs that include options such as vacuuming, covering the mattress with a lining, and so on.