Over the past several years, there has been a resurgence of bed bugs globally, and British Columbia is no exception. These very resilient pests have been found in many buildings across Vancouver, including private and residential care homes, hotels, shopping centres, and schools.
How do I know I have bed bugs?
Around the size of an apple seed, bed bugs are small dark parasites that feed on the blood of birds, animals, and humans. Because of the elusiveness of these nocturnal pests, bed bugs may be difficult to detect at first. Usually, bite marks will be your first sign that you may have an infestation. A bed bug bite is similar to a mosquito bite, often resulting in a red, itchy bump.
Where can I find them?
If you suspect that you have a bed bug problem, your next step will be to track them down. Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find so it is going to take a little detective work and a little elbow grease. First, you are going to want to check your sheets for small dark marks–stains resulting from blood or bug excrement. Next, it is time to roll up your sleeves, grab your trusty flashlight and go hunting. Bed bugs can be found in a number of hard to find places so it’s important that you are thorough. Here are some places you may want to check:
- Mattresses, bedding, and box springs
- Walls and baseboards
- Furniture
- Carpets
- Clothing
- Purses, bags, and luggage
- Electronics
How do I get rid of them?
Ask anybody who has had to deal with a bed bug invasion, getting rid of these pesky bugs is not an easy task. Just one of these tiny night-loving insects can produce hundreds of offspring. In addition, many bed bugs can live an entire year without feeding.
Vacuuming and disinfecting your home, laundering or dry cleaning your clothing, and sealing off your bed with a plastic covering are important steps in trying deal with your bed bug situation. In many cases however, hiring experienced professionals to take care of the infestation is the most effective method that will provide you with peace-of-mind and help you sleep better at night.