How to Effectively Deal WIth Bedbugs Within the Home

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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
A Guide for Homeowners
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
What Are Bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small reddish-brown insects. Theyre
about 3/16 inch long (size of an apple seed) and
easily visible to the naked eye. They are
wingless, but are fast crawlers. Their bodies are
very flat with slender legs and antennae.
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
Facts About Bedbugs

• Immature bedbugs look like the adults but are
  smaller and often lighter in colour.
• Bedbugs feed on the blood of humans.
• Bedbugs were drastically reduced after World War
  II by the use of pesticides that are no longer
  available for use.
• A bedbug feeds for only 3-10 minutes after biting
  and usually feeds every few days.

• Bedbugs do not occur only in poor and insanitary
  conditions.
• Both male and female bedbugs bite and consume
  blood.
• Blood meals are necessary for the growth of
  juveniles and the reproduction of females.
• Bedbug bites are usually painless, during which
  the host is normally fast asleep.

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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
Reactions to Bedbug Bites
Though painless during biting sessions, bedbug
hosts tend to have different reactions. Within a
day of the bite(s), most people then experience
itching, pain, and/or swelling of the skin where
the bedbug bite occurred. This is most common on
the arms, face, hands, back or other exposed areas
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How to Treat Bedbug Bites
To treat bedbug bites, its important to control
itching and inflammation. Antihistamines and/or
corticosteroids can be prescribed to reduce
allergic reactions. If secondary infections
occur, antimicrobial ointments can be used.
Note Medically treating bedbug bites do not
erase their presence.
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
Are Bedbugs Harmful to Your Health?

• Bedbugs do not transfer disease organisms after
  feeding on multiple hosts.
• Bedbugs do, however, reduce the quality of life
  as they incite discomfort, embarrassment,
  sleeplessness, and anxiety.

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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How to Identify Bedbugs
Bedbugs shed during metamorphosis. You should be
able to see spots of excrement and blood spots or
stains on upholstered furniture, walls, and
beddings.
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How to Identify Bedbugs

• Under the gauze covering of box springs
• Behind bed headboards
• Behind objects mounted on a wall
• Inside cracks, crevices, or screw holes
• of synthetic, wooden, or upholstered furniture
• Under loose wallpaper
• Along mattress seams
• Under carpeting
• In electronic devices
• Under chairs and anything to be seated on
• Behind base and window trim

On a frequent basis, a crevice tool and
flashlight should be used to examine
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How to Identify Bedbugs
A stale sweet odour may be detected in severe
or long-lasting infestations of bedbugs.
Bedbugs are often spread through the acquisition
of infested second-hand furniture, or by their
hitchhiking on items used during travel such as
suitcases, outerwear, and other belongings. Once
established in a building, the bugs can then move
throughout the structure by crawling along pipe
and wiring runs, conduits, HVAC system ductwork,
sharing of belongings, laundry, etc.
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How To Prevent a Bedbug Infestation
Vigilance and care is needed when preventing an
infestation. When travelling, homeowners should
ensure their personal belongings arent kept
opened and on the floor, bed or other areas
accessible to bedbugs. They should also inspect
premises in which they will be staying a night or
two. Once an area is suspected to have bedbugs,
it should be reported promptly.
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How To Prevent a Bedbug Infestation (Contd)
If youre in receipt of couches, furniture,
beddings, furnishings etc, ensure to perform a
thorough inspection of the equipment before
bringing it into your home. As bedbugs can be
inconspicuous, you may invite them into your home
without knowing.
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How to Deal Effectively With Bedbugs
How to Get Rid of Bedbugs
Bedbugs are difficult to get rid of because they
can live for months without feeding, are
resistant to many pesticides, they multiply
quickly, and some pesticides that do kill bedbugs
cannot be used on bedding or furniture. In most
cases, several rounds of treatment by a pest
control personnel is needed to get rid of bedbugs.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Separate and apply heat
Bag and wash drapes, clothing, linens, beddings,
etc., in hot water dry on medium or hot heat
for about 10-30 minutes. Note Dry cleaning
might destroy bedbugs, but ensure to bag the
items.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Use a vacuum
Use a dedicated vacuum, along with a bristle
brush and crevice tool to remove the insects.
While the aforementioned items arent in use,
keep them in a close container/bag. Note Get
rid of vacuum contents in a closed container.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Get rid of infested furniture clutter
As a part of the treatment, you may be required
to discard infested furniture, remove items
attached to walls, seal openings and cracks, and
reduce clutter within your home. Once an
infested item cannot be treated, it should be
covered and noted on a label. This is to ensure
that bedbugs arent able to spread to other
locations of the home.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Encase your mattress
To encase mattresses, use a zippered cloth or
mattress cover (plastic). This is to ensure that
bedbugs feeding and movements are restricted.
Note In some cases, the mattress must be
encased for a year.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Application of pesticides
Especially if a licensed pest control contractor
is called in, they might apply a particular
registered pesticide in an aid to control Bedbug
residue. Note Some residents have found
success applying Diatomaceous Earth to treat
bedbug infestations.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Application of pesticides
Pesticides available commercially arent
necessarily effective when applied to control an
infestation in living areas. Note Repellents
and foggers provide no value when combating
bedbugs.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Application of pesticides
If a pest control expert is treating your home
for bedbugs, here are a list of pesticides he may
apply. 6 Pesticides Used In Effective Bedbug
Control Note Its sage to find out if the above
stated chemicals are welcomed in your state or
country.
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How to Get Rid of Bedbugs (Contd)
Disclaimer
This presentation was created and designed to
provide awareness and inform homeowners. If you
opt to use DIY methods to treat a light
infestation at home, do not use pesticides. If
however, you opt to use commercially available
pesticides, follow the label. Note A licensed
pest control contractor should apply chemicals.
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The End
Thank you for watching and reading
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