Bed bugs are small insects that can easily be mistaken for tiny ticks. These bugs feed on human blood and can cause severe skin infections and indirectly lead to organ disorders. With the help of bats, bed bugs have spread quickly across North America, Europe, and Asia during the past century. Bats carry bed bugs on their bodies or hair and then release them near human dwellings. The resulting infestation has caused enormous distress to the victims' health. Bedbug bites are treated with prescription drugs or natural remedies, while public health officials monitor infested areas for bed bugs and bats.
Bed bug biology - Understanding Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, blood-sucking bugs that live primarily on humans. They are small and easy to see. They are usually red, black, or brown and have small, dark heads. Bed bugs can live for up to six months. They are found all over the world and can be a significant annoyance to those who live in areas where they are common. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, but they have several impacts on your lifestyle as they can affect your sleep, cause skin infections, and even make you anemic.
To know more about the structure of bed bugs, click here to read more on our previous post.
Bed bug distribution and habitat
Bed bugs are a family of insects in the order Hemiptera. They are known as bed bugs because they habitually live in beds.
Bed bugs have been in existence for thousands of years. According to Wikipedia, they were first mentioned in Ancient Greece as far back as 400BC, Germany in the 11th century, and England in 1583. Some other sources also claimed they have first discovered fossilized in Ancient Egypt, originating from the Middle East, from which they multiplied and spread through Europe and Asia.
Bed bugs are found in human dwellings where they can easily access their hosts. They can be seen in bed frames, furniture, and wall frames. Bed bugs can be carried by animals such as bats, and they can live on pets like cats and dogs.
Can bed bugs live in your hair?
In terms of habitat, no! However, there is no definitive answer to this question, as bed bugs may choose to feed on any part of the body, depending on the individual. Therefore, if you think bed bugs are spotted in your hair, it is essential to schedule a visit to a dermatologist to get a definitive diagnosis. Nevertheless, the larvae produced by hatched bed bug eggs can move into your hair by attaching themselves to clothing or body parts with their fine mouth hooks. They may feed and mature into adults within three to six weeks.
NB: Bed bugs prefer to live and reproduce outside their host.
Signs of bedbug bites
Bedbug bites produce different signs depending on where on the body the bite occurs. However, most victims consider their appearance discomfiting enough. For example, you may notice redness or swollen skin, itchiness, a scar from scratching, and blisters. Besides causing painful swelling at the site of a bite or welts elsewhere on the body if direct contact occurs while sleeping (similar to hives), a bed bug bite can also lead to secondary bacterial infections if left untreated long enough—primarily if it occurs in areas where secondary bacterial infections are susceptible to developing, such as wounds or areas where there is too much friction, such as hair follicles found on the skin!
Bed bug control and prevention
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how to deal with bedbugs, but some strategies may work, and some may not work for others. The most effective way to deal with bedbugs is to take steps to prevent them from coming into your home in the first place. You can do this by creating a clean and disinfected bedroom environment, using a variety of bug-fighting sprays and traps, and keeping your bed and bedding free of bedbugs.
Since bed bugs are a common problem in hotels and other buildings, they may travel between people and areas, so preventing them from becoming a problem is essential. Aside from the quick ways given in the above paragraph, here are a few other ways to stay free of bed bugs:
First, check for bed bugs when staying in a hotel or other building.
2. Use an insecticide designed explicitly for bedbugs to kill bedbugs when you discover them.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean areas that bedbugs may occupy.
4. You can also use insecticidal soap to clean areas that bedbugs may occupy.
5. Check your bedsheets and pillowcases often. If they are covered in bedbugs, they need to be treated.
FAQs
How can I get rid of bedbugs from my hair?
Usually, bed bugs don't live on the hair, but you may find their larvae creeping through your hair. In this case, you may get shampoo or mild soap and apply it to your hair, wash and let your fingers go through it, then rinse or shower with a lot of water.
How do you tell if bedbugs are in your clothes?
You may find them creeping through or perhaps find blood stains. When you do, dust off your clothes, dispose of them (especially when they are old), or wash them thoroughly.
Can I find bedbugs on my body?
Bed bugs don't live on your body but feed on your blood to survive. You may find them in areas like your face, arms, legs, and ankles.
Can you get bedbugs from someone sitting in your car?
Yes, this is possible if the person lives in a bed bug-infested environment. Such people can unknowingly pick them up with their clothes and transfer them to your car.
What kills bed bugs immediately?
Bed bugs can't travel in high temperatures, so temperatures at the degree of steam are sufficient to kill bed bugs totally—this temperature could range from 45 °C to 50 °C.