How to get rid of bedbugs
contents
- Identification
- New bed bug solutions
- Combined strategies
- Lifecycle
Bed bugs feed on human blood at night
Behaviour
During the day, these light-sensitive creatures conceal themselves in
crevices, a skill they excel at due to their flat bodies. At night, they emerge to feed on blood, during which they can increase their body weight and take on a rounded shape.
Spread
Bed bug infestations have risen significantly over the past decade. These pests typically spread passively, hitching rides on clothing, luggage, or furniture.
Identification
Bed bug bites alone do not provide a clear means of identification. A typical sign of a bed bug infestation is the appearance of three to four bites in a line on uncovered areas of the body.
These bites may lead to intense itching, which can persist for several days, often beginning a few days after the bite.
However, reactions to bites vary considerably between individuals. While some people develop painful swelling, others may not react at all. As a result, bites cannot be definitively attributed to bed bugs. To confirm an infestation, evidence such as droppings, discarded skins, or, ideally, the bugs themselves must be found. A thorough inspection of the bed frame and mattress is essential, or a bed bug trap can be used.
Though pathogens have been identified in bed bugs, there has been no evidence to date that they transmit these to humans (Lai et al., 2016)
New Bed Bug Solutions
Insectosec tape - the bed bug tape
InsectoSec® Tape is an adhesive tape designed to be attached to the underside of the bed. It contains diatomaceous earth, carefully dosed to minimise dust release during application. Bed bugs use the crevice created by the patented wing design as an ideal hiding spot during the day, and come into contact with the diatomaceous earth.
InsectoSec® Tape is effective both as a preventative measure and for preventing re-infestation following a bed bug treatment.
InsectoSec® tape is different from basic 'sticky' bed bug tapes that attempt to get bedbugs to stick to the tape.
Bed Bug trap
Nattaro Scout
Nattaro Scout is a trap designed for the early detection of bed bug infestations. It uses a bait that mimics the natural pheromones emitted by bed bugs to attract both males and females at all stages of development. Once inside the trap, the bed bugs cannot escape. Early detection is crucial for cost-effective control.
andermatt holistic bed bug control strategy
Thorough cleaning/pest controller
If the infestation is severe, a bed bug infestation can be combated with a thorough cleaning and the steps described below. Our bed bug control checklist will guide you through the process. If the infestation is discovered too late when the bed bugs have multiplied significantly, the control should be carried out by a pest controller such as a heat treatment.
InsectoSec tape to kill
After cleaning or a pest controller, attach the tape under the frame of the bed (simply peel and stick). The wing design provides an attractive hiding place for bed bugs and the powder kills them. This way, if bed bugs are still present after step 1, or if they migrate in from adjacent rooms, they will be killed with InsectoSec tape.
Nattaro Scout trap to monitor
To monitor the success of these measures, place traps in two places near the bed - ideally at the head end under the mattress. The trap is filled with a pheromone bait that is attractive to female and male bed bugs of all stages of development. The progress of the control measures can be monitored by regular checks.
Prevention
Once the bed bug issue is apparently dealt with, InsectoSec Tape greatly reduces the chances of reinfestation. The tape can be used as a long-term prevention measure that gives peace of mind against bed bugs. The trap detects bed bugs at the lowest level, so can alert you very quickly to the first sign of any future infestations, when they are small and much easier to deal with.