When should you start checking for bedbugs?
If you get sleepless nights and observe bite marks in the morning, you must first determine what is causing the bite marks. Bedbug bites are like mosquito bites because these are pink to red in color.
Bedbug bites can either be raised or flat and these usually have a pattern. For example, you will find 4 or more bites in a row. When a bedbug is disturbed during feeding, it usually moves a bit farther from its initial position, causing the pattern.
The bedbug bites also cause itching and burning. Although the bites do not cause any disease, the itching and burning can bring discomfort. For treatment, topical corticosteroids are the most effective. These relieve the burning and itching as well as make the bite marks disappear.
Antihistamines or systemic corticosteroids are also used for the burning and itching. These medicines cannot make the bite marks disappear faster.
Now, it is time to check for these insects. If you usually get bitten after sleeping on the bed, check your mattress first. Look for cracks. Any crack or crevice in the mattress can be the entry point of bedbugs. Also look for red or brown spots in the mattress. The red spots are from the blood of crushed bedbugs while the brown spots are from fecal matter.
After checking the mattress, also inspect other areas of the room like carpets, walls, bedposts, furniture, dressers, drawers, and others. Again, look for cracks as these are where bedbugs usually live.
Now that you have identified the area of infestation as well as the specific infested furnitures, you must make sure that nothing will come out and into the room. Bedbugs can travel easily through furniture, linens, and even shoelaces. After identifying the area of infestation, getting rid of the insects must be done as soon as possible.
