• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • BLOG
  • Meet Sarah
  • Shop With Me
    • My Amazon Store
    • LIKEtoKNOW.it
    • Buy Plexus (the pink drink!))
    • Buy Arbonne
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
The Fashionable Housewife

The Fashionable Housewife

Because Moms Should Look Good, Too!

  • Fashion
    • Today’s Outfit
    • Outfit Ideas
    • Spring Fashion
    • Summer Fashion
    • Fall Fashion
    • Winter Fashion
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Nail Polish
    • Organic or Eco-Friendly
    • Hair Removal
    • Sun Protection
    • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Health
    • Fitness
    • Weight Loss
    • Pregnancy
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • About The Dukan Diet
    • Review of i-Lipo Laser Liposuction Treatment
  • Home Life
    • Home Improvement
    • Home Decor
    • Outdoors
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Homesteading
    • Travel
    • Finances
  • Marriage
  • Faith
  • Parenting
    • Baby Gear
    • Babywearing
    • Breastfeeding
    • Cloth Diapers & Diapering
    • Pregnancy
    • Natural Birth
    • Story Land in Glen, NH
  • Homeschooling
  • Recipes
    • Food & Snacks
    • Baby Food
    • Gluten Free
    • Keto
    • Coffee
    • Cocktails
  • Shop My Looks

How to Ban Bed Bugs from Your Home

Modified on August 29, 2017 at 7:34 PM

Sharing is caring!

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Bed bugs are parasites that feed on human and animal blood. They exist on virtually every continent on the planet and are found everywhere, from 5* hotels and upmarket apartments to low-budget motels and family homes. Nobody is immune to a bed bug infestation and once you have a problem, bed bugs can be surprisingly tough to eradicate.

In fact, bed bugs are a growing problem and in recent years, bed bugs have become resistant to common pesticides. Fortunately, insecticides are not the only option at your disposal if you have bed bugs.

What are Bed Bugs?

The Latin name for bed bugs is Cimex lectularius. Bed bugs look a bit like fleas. They are small (approximately 4-5mm long), flat, and wingless parasites. They feed on blood, but can exist without any food for several months.

We like to think that bed bugs are a human problem, but in fact, they are just as happy to snack on your dog or cat. They don’t like fur, but can quite easily find an opening on a pet’s underbelly or around their nose or ears. Bed bugs are also a problem for poultry farmers and they have even been found on bats. However, this may not be terribly reassuring if you have a bed bug infestation.

Where do Bed Bugs Come From?

Bed bugs have been around for millennia, but they have been popping up in the history books since the 1600s. At the beginning of the last century, bed bugs were very common and many homes had them. The use of insecticides such as DDT greatly reduced their numbers, but since DDT and other pesticides were banned for environmental reasons, the bed bug population has exploded.

The rise in human traffic has enabled bed bugs to spread far and wide. They are commonly found in hotels, prisons, public transport, and public spaces. Bed bugs and their eggs travel in our clothes, our luggage, and in the holds of planes and trains.

Because bed bugs are so common in hotels and public transport systems, it’s very easy to pick up a few hitchhikers when you travel at home and abroad. All it takes is a few stray bed bugs hiding inside your suitcase and your bedroom is immediately infected. In addition, if you don’t spot the signs and take action to eradicate your new houseguests, it won’t be long before the local bed bug population is thriving.

The Bed Bug Life Cycle

Bed bugs are highly efficient little creatures. A female bed bug can lay up to eight eggs a day. Eggs hatch after 10 days and the young ‘nymphs’ molt five times, requiring a blood meal each time. Under optimal conditions (plenty of food and hot temperatures), a newly hatched bed bug will reach maturity in 21 days. If food is scarce or it’s very cold, a nymph will not reach maturity for several months and may even die.

The Natural Bed Bug Habitat

Most bed bugs are shy, retiring insects. They dislike being in the spotlight and will naturally gravitate to places where they can hide out of sight. Bed bugs need to stay close to their host, so they are typically found in bed bases, mattresses, and secreted in furniture close to the bed. They are attracted to our warmth and the CO that we emit.

The Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs are nocturnal. Many people are blissfully unaware they have bed bugs because they don’t suffer any reaction to the bites and they sleep through the night. Elderly people, in particular, are less sensitive to bed bugs, so it’s common for nursing homes to be infested.

Visible bites are the most obvious sign of bed bug infestation, but unless you suffer an allergic reaction, you will likely attribute the bites to midges, mosquitoes, or even fleas.

Bed bugs molt during their life cycle, so they leave a lot of exoskeletons behind. Look inside your bed base for dried out husks. You may even spot live bed bugs in the folds of your mattress or under the sheets. The best time to look for bed bugs is at night, as this is when they are most active.

Check your mattress for signs of bed bug fecal matter. It will look like small rust spots.

A strange, sweet and musty odor is another telltale sign you may have a bed bug colony in your mattress or bed base. Bed bugs, in common with many other insects, emit pheromones when they are disturbed. At low concentrations, this odor is said to be similar to the scent of coriander, but in serious infestations, the odor is deeply unpleasant.

Bed bugs hide away until it gets dark and their host is fast asleep. The best way to see if you have a bed bug problem is to grab a torch and shine the light in the crevices around your bed, behind the headboard, under the mattress, and around the mattress seams. Look for bugs on the move and any evidence of shed bed bug skins.

In smaller bed bug infestations, bugs won’t be obvious, but if there is a serious infestation, you may see bed bugs out and about during the day. The more bed bugs there are, the less shy they become. After all, there is safety in numbers!

Getting a new mattress every 4-6 years helps decrease the likelihood of bed bugs getting out of control. If you think it might be time for a new mattress, check out LAYLA SLEEP.

Holy Sheet! World First Copper Infused Mattress

Health Problems Caused by Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are nasty, but they rarely cause any long-term health problems aside from insomnia. Around 10% of people suffer no ill effects from bed bug bites so they will enjoy a good night’s sleep. However, in the majority of cases, the affected person will wake up with itchy, swollen bites that cause irritation for several days. In a few cases, bed bug bites can cause horrific allergic reactions, with the unfortunate person ending up covered in large, painful welts.

Living with bed bugs will almost certainly affect your sleep. Just the thought of things crawling over you at night is enough to keep most people awake. Added to that, itching and scratching all night will also make it hard to sleep.

Antihistamines will help to control the itching if you are having trouble sleeping at night. You can also treat individual bed bug bites with antiseptic cream to prevent infection.

Eradicating Bed Bugs the Natural Way

Bed bugs can be difficult to treat because they hide away in tiny cracks. If a bed bug is hidden away, it may be missed when a treatment program is carried out, which defeats the object of the exercise. There are some effective and natural remedies against bed bugs you can try though.

Steam – Bed bugs can’t survive steam, so use a steam cleaner to blast your bed and mattress with hot steam. Steam will penetrate through a mattress and into cracks and crevices. The downside is that it leaves water behind, which is not ideal in a bed.

Dry Ice – Dry ice will also kill bed bugs and unlike steam, it leaves no residue or moisture.  However, it won’t penetrate as far as steam, so you may not kill all of the bed bugs living in your bed.

Diatomaceous Earth – Diatomaceous earth is a natural material made from ground up fossilized diatoms, which were once tiny aquatic organisms. Diatomaceous earth is a 100% natural substance. It is completely safe to use and if you buy food-grade diatomaceous earth, you can even eat it. Diatomaceous earth is very useful in treating bed bug infestations if you don’t want to use chemical treatments. It acts as a barrier against bed bugs, which prevents them from spreading any further.

Diatomaceous earth also kills bed bugs by harming their exoskeleton and causing them to dehydrate. The downside to using diatomaceous earth is that it won’t work instantly. Once you apply a fine dusting of diatomaceous earth over your bed and the surrounding areas, it can take up to 17 days for it to have a noticeable effect. If you are suffering badly from a major bed bug infestation, you may not want to wait that long. In this instance, it is a good idea to call a pest control company such as Go-Forth Pest Control of Charlotte.

Treating a Serious Bed Bug Infestation

Serious bed bug infestations require a scorched earth approach. You can’t afford to let even one single bed bug survive, as if you do, you will be right back to square one within a few weeks.

Professional pest control firms will use a combination of insecticides to kill the bed bugs and their eggs. The infested bed should be removed and disposed of and the room treated with insecticides. Bed bugs are now resistant to some strains of popular insecticide, so more than one treatment may be necessary.

Prevention is always better than the cure with bed bugs. Once a bed bug infestation takes hold, it can be difficult to eradicate. Be on your guard and always inspect hotel rooms before you unpack your belongings. If you spot any telltale signs of bed bugs, ask to move to a different room or consider switching to another hotel.

Related posts:

No related posts.

Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on April 15, 2017 at 11:43 AM
Filed Under: Cleaning Products, Home Decor, Home Life
Tagged With: bed, bed bugs, bugs, elderly, Layla, mattress, pest control

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

Disclaimer

The Fashionable Housewife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for blogs and websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission on purchases made through our links. There is no extra cost to you! For more info, please see our Disclosure & Privacy Policy.

Previous Post: « How Acupressure Points Help Treat Fatty Liver
Next Post: Planning A Magical Afternoon Easter Party For Children »

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Hello, there!

Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

I enjoy homesteading, reading, writing, cooking, baking, crafting, home decorating, Xtend Barre, and of course, fashion!

This blog is a place for me to share how we live and what I love most. I’m on a mission to help busy moms like you, be fashionable too! Read More…

Never miss a post

Fashionable!


Use code FASHION10 to get 10% off your order at www.mapleandlark.com





Use our exclusive coupon code
LS-SARAHJEAN for $20 off your first order!


DHgate fashion dresses for sale

Use coupon code ‘FHW‘
to get 20% off your order!!!

Latest on Instagram

fashionablewife

𝒯𝒽ℯℱ𝒶𝓈𝒽𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝒷𝓁ℯℋℴ𝓊𝓈ℯ𝓌𝒾𝒻ℯ
Christian, Wife, Mama x 5. livin' in NH
Fashion, Food, Health, & Home
✉️ Email me, let’s work together!

𝕊𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕙 | Fashionable Homemaker & Large Family Life
You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
I’m addicted and I just can’t get enough 😂🫣

I’m loving my no -toxic, non-stick cookware from @caraway_home  It’s as beautiful as it is easy to cook with. And it makes my kitchen look prettier too! 💁🏼‍♀️

Want to learn more about why I’m obsessed with these pots and pans? Visit my blog and search CARAWAY! Or scroll through my feed! 🥳

#homemaker #housewifelife #homestyler #momlife
Today was my due date for Dylan. Considering he w Today was my due date for Dylan.

Considering he was my 6th child, it's possible he would have been here by now. It’s been extra hard for me this week. 

Despite my best efforts to be strong and stay positive, I am completely brokenhearted. I’m just being honest. I could pretend I’m fine, but that doesn't do me or anyone else any good to be dishonest about the pain of miscarriage or the grief that comes with losing a child. 

My heart is completely shattered from having an empty womb and an empty nursery. An empty bassinet in the corner and unused tiny newborn outfits, all washed, folded, and ready… for nothing. 

It makes me physically sick to my stomach when I think about it all and I can't even fathom how I got here. How did I get here? 

This isn't how it's supposed to be! I should be holding a newborn right now! It’s so unfair. 

In an instant, my baby was gone and there was nothing I could do to change that. 

It doesn't matter how much time passes or what else happens in life, I will always miss him. My heart with always long for my baby. 

Those who haven't experienced loss tell you that "Don’t worry! Things will get better, just focus on the positive!" but people who actually know this grief and what it actually feels like to lose a baby, won’t tell you that. They know this hard road. They understand that unfortunately you don't just “get over it.” 

The grief doesn't just go away, even if you try to ignore it, it's still there. Like the sun. You don’t have to look at it to know it’s there. You can turn your back on it but it will still warm your skin. 

The grief from losing a child is unbearable. 
It is unpredictable.
It is unforgiving.
It is relentless.
It is all-consuming.
And it completely shatters you when you don’t expect it. 

You don’t get over it. You don’t forget. You simply learn to live with it. And I’m learning to live with it every day. 

It’s been 137 days I’ve had to live without my baby. 

Lord Jesus, please… hold me extra tight tonight. 

#babyloss #babylossawareness #babylosssupport #babylosscommunity #babylosssurvivor #stillbornstillloved #stillbornawareness #stillbirth #miscarriagesupport #miscarriageawareness

Footer

coffee

Thank You For Your Support!

Each product we feature on The Fashionable Housewife has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting us!

You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
  • Home
  • Meet Sarah
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosures & Privacy Policy

[Est 2005] Copyright © 2023 Sarah-Jean Ballard and Fashionable Media | Beloved Theme

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
0 shares