Bed bugs are a nuisance and they certainly do not scream safe and hygienic. They have also, unfortunately, become resistant to many of the pesticides they encounter on their travels.
However, using scientific advancements and a biological understanding of bed bugs, it is actually possible (yay!) to get rid of them and sleep without having to worry about bites and interruptions again.
If you are suffering from bed bug attacks and yearning for a peaceful night of sleep, read on! This guide provides you with the ultimate knowledge of bed bug behavior and how to effectively be free of them.
How to detect the presence of these pesky bugs
Do you wake up with mysterious, itchy bites around your body or see reddish-brown spots on your bedsheet and pillow?
If yes, then you may have new residents sharing your sleeping space.
Get to know them
Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects. Adult bed bugs are about the size and shape of an apple seed. Bed bugs are not known to spread diseases, but they do crawl from their daytime hiding location to feed on resting humans.
They are ridiculously tiny, but still visible to the naked eye. An adult bed bug measures between 6 to 9.5mm. Bed bugs are usually brown in color, but after a fresh feeding, their body becomes swollen and turn red. Like other insects, they have 6 legs and 2 antennae.
Bed bugs are quite the hitchhikers. They often come into your home by hitchhiking in a purse, a bag, a backpack, or luggage. They can crawl into your bag on an airplane or other public transportation, and even while you’re enjoying a movie at the local cinema. You then bring your bed bug-contaminated bag into your bedroom, and thus the creepy crawly nightmare begins.
Although they cannot fly or jump, bed bugs are capable walkers and climbers. They can easily climb the metal or wooden legs of furniture to access a blood meal if there is even a slight texture to the finish.
They hide during the day and happily travel between 5-20 feet from their hiding place to feed upon their host. They locate a potential host by homing in on the carbon dioxide exhaled when we breathe as well as the heat that emanates from our bodies. Once they locate a potential host, bed bugs pierce the skin and feed for between 3-12 minutes.
Most people are not aware when bed bugs are in the act of feeding, and every person responds differently to a bite.
Where do bed bugs hide?
.
Bed bugs commonly live in close proximity to where you sleep. In your home, they can hide in:
- Mattress seams and piping
- Box springs
- Cracks in bed frame or headboard
- Seams of couches or chairs
- Appliances
- Behind loose wallpaper and painting
Get rid of bed bugs
Is it really that hard to get rid of them?
The short and direct answer is yes. This is not a problem that can be solved by reaching for the can of insect spray or repellent.
Even pest control establishments will generally expect at least 2 to 3 treatments to completely get rid of the bed bugs from your home. There are several reasons that bed bugs are notoriously hard to get rid of.
One of the factors that make it hard to get rid of bed bugs is how quickly they multiply. The number of eggs a female bed bug can lay in her life depends on her access to blood. The average lifespan of a bed bug is about 1 year. Bed bugs usually feed every 3-7 days if a meal is available. One female can lay about 113 eggs in her lifetime!
Another factor is that bed bugs are immune to Pyrethroids. Pyrethroids are a class of chemicals that are commonly used in pest management. Most pyrethroids have low toxicity to mammals and birds, are fast-acting and require low doses of active ingredients to kill insects. However, some bed bugs have developed resistance to this class of chemicals.
Steam or Heat Treatment – If you want to terminate bed bugs fast, this treatment may be a good option. Heat treatments can kill bed bugs in one day by a licensed pest control company. The affected room is heated to between 135°F (57.2°C) and 145°F (62.7 °C). Experts believe the rising temperature in the room can lure the bed bugs from their hiding spots.
When a bed bug and its eggs reach 122°F (50°C) they die immediately. Successful heat treatment requires a skilled technician.
While heat kills bed bugs immediately and efficiently, there is no residual effect. Unless a residual pesticide is applied in conjunction with the heat, any bed bug that may hitchhike from another part of the house can begin the infestation again.
Traditional Chemical Bed Bug Treatment – Although an insecticide treatment is a much more affordable option than heat treatment, it does require some more patience.
During direct treatment, bed bugs will die very quickly. However, most of the time bed bugs contact the insecticide indirectly, meaning they will only walk on it during their evening search for a meal. Bed bugs only come out of hiding for a meal every 3-7 days and so a follow-up pesticide application may be necessary to kill the baby bugs that have hatched from the eggs since the first session. This method aims to kill them before they turn into reproducing adults.
Although chemical control for bed bugs is quite effective, it is not the fastest way to kill them.
Now that we've covered the traditional techniques of eliminating bed bugs, let's move on to a more unique process...
A guaranteed, effective method in getting rid of bed bugs for good!
Introducing Origin Mattress
.
Why go through lengthy treatments and methods that may interrupt your daily routine? And steam and heat could also potentially damage your electronic items.
So what might be the best solution to this? Throw out that bug-infested mattress and get a new one!
After nights of disturbed sleep and itchy skin no thanks to those pesky bugs, the Origin Hybrid mattress may be the perfect option for you. Origin Sleep is a German mattress company that has made its wonderful way into Malaysia and Singapore. The Origin Hybrid mattress has greater features and benefits at a much lower price for you to enjoy.
Why Origin Mattress?
Origin mattress offers 6 layers of unparalleled, luxurious comfort. You will get abundant access to the highest quality materials in the market - memory foam, pocket springs, and latex - all combined into one perfect mattress.
Origin mattress is designed with Malaysians in mind. Not only does it provide optimal spinal alignment and great comfort, but it is also created with a unique cooling technology that is in favor of Malaysia's unpredictable climate.
The cooling characteristics of gel-infused memory foam are impeccable, as it takes away the body heat and gives you a cooling sensation. You can now enjoy a seamless sleep without having to worry about night sweats!
With its ceaseless amazing features, you can kiss the memories of bad nights with creepy crawlies goodbye!
While there are other mattress brands on the market that may offer similar factors, Origin mattress outshines the others in terms of affordability and even more wonderful features and health benefits.
Here are the prices for the mattresses offered:
- Single – RM1,225
- Super single – RM1,531
- Queen – RM1,839
- King – RM2,487
Spectacular layers and performance
Memory foam is exceptionally soft and conforms to your body shape in order to give excellent support and pressure relief. A latex layer adds bounce and reaction to the foam. The materials utilized are of the highest grade, ensuring quality sleep. Furthermore, the multi-layered hybrid construction further enhances durability.
Another amazing feature would be the zero-motion transfer technology that allows for undisturbed sleep and a glorious night. Do you have a partner who sleeps like they are running a marathon? With this impeccable technology, you no longer have to worry about being woken up in the middle of the night caused by movements and all the tossing and turning.
On top of that, you get wonderfully efficient customer service and a free 120-day trial. Nothing can beat that offer and I encourage you to check out what Origin has to offer. I can guarantee that you will have no regrets purchasing the Origin mattress, other than blissfully peaceful, uninterrupted sleep.
