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How do you keep bedbugs from biting you at night?

How can you prevent bedbug bites? Wash and dry your bedding on high heat. ... Vacuum and steam clean furniture and floors. ... Get a mattress and box spring cover. ... Sleep in long-sleeved clothing. ... Declutter. ... Use interceptor traps. ... Contact a qualified pest control professional.

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Key takeaways: Sleeping in a room that has bedbugs can make you anxious. But there are ways to avoid bites, so that you can get a good night’s rest. Cleaning your bedding, vacuuming, and protecting your mattress with a cover are important steps to take to prevent bedbug bites. If you’re not able to avoid bites or have trouble controlling bedbugs, it may be time to hire a qualified pest control professional. You had a memorable trip. But then, you realize you returned home with an unwanted souvenir: bedbugs. Once they get inside your house, bedbugs are challenging to get rid of . They’re experts at hiding, as they come out at night to feed on your blood while you’re asleep. Moving out of your home may not always be possible. And, even if it is, it won’t eliminate the pests. As you work to get rid of bedbugs, there are ways to avoid getting bit, so that your bed goes back to feeling like a safe space.

How can you prevent bedbug bites?

While bedbug bites are not considered dangerous , they can be frustrating. They can affect your quality of sleep, especially if the bites keep you awake itching. The seven tips below may not be enough to get rid of bedbugs completely. But there’s a good chance they can keep the critters from biting you while you’re sleeping.

1. Wash and dry your bedding on high heat

Having bedbugs doesn’t mean you have to throw out your bed or blankets. Unless all of the bedbugs have been cleared out, you risk any new bedding you bring into the house getting infested, anyway. Instead, keep bedbugs out of your blankets and pajamas with heat . Start by removing all your bed linens — including comforters and pillowcases — and washing them immediately in hot water. If you can’t launder them right away, put them in a sealed plastic bag to contain the bedbugs. Once you wash your bedding, run it in a dryer on the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes. Aim to wash and dry your bedding regularly to lower your risk of getting bitten. Place items that cannot be washed or dried in a sealed trash bag and leave it outside in a sunny area for at least a day . Ensure that all sides of the bag are exposed to the sun’s heat. While freezing can also destroy bedbugs, it’s not as reliable a method as exposing them to high heat.

2. Vacuum and steam clean furniture and floors

Bedbugs love to hide in mattress seams and inside box springs. You may even find them around bed frames and headboards. Luckily, you can capture and remove bedbugs with a vacuum . After all, the fewer bedbugs around, the less likely you’ll get bitten. If you can, use a vacuum cleaner with a suction wand. This will help you suck bedbugs out of hard-to-reach areas around your bed. Make sure to vacuum the floors, molding, and other infested surfaces. Once done, seal the vacuum bag and throw it away immediately. If you’re using a canister vacuum, remember to thoroughly clean the canister after emptying the contents. And it’s best to change the vacuum cleaner’s filter before reusing it. Since heat works well to destroy bedbugs, steam cleaning is also a good strategy. If you don’t have a steamer, you may be able to rent one from a home improvement store. A handheld steamer may help ensure the hot steam reaches the folds and cracks of your mattress and box spring. But be careful not to get burned.

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3. Get a mattress and box spring cover

An effective way to keep bedbugs that are hiding inside your bed from biting you is to invest in a good-quality covering for your mattress and box spring. The best option is to use a cover with a good seal that zips around your mattress and box spring. This traps the pests until they eventually die. And it keeps new bedbugs from crawling into your mattress. Look for an encasement that’s sturdy and designed specifically for bedbugs. Expect to keep it on the mattress for about 1 year .

4. Sleep in long-sleeved clothing

Human blood is the primary source of food for bedbugs . These sneaky creatures will feast on exposed areas of your skin, but they can’t bite through fabric. Lower your risk of getting bedbug bites by wearing long-sleeved pajamas with pants while sleeping. But be mindful that bedbugs can find their way to your skin under loose clothing. So wear pajamas that are more fitted around your ankles and wrists to give you the best protection.

5. Declutter

If you’ve been thinking of tossing out unwanted items in your house, now you have a good reason to get started. Getting rid of clutter and keeping your house clean gives bedbugs fewer places to hide. These are important steps that help lower the number of bedbugs hanging around and prevent them from reproducing. When you reduce the number of bedbugs in your house, you bring down the odds of getting bitten, ensuring a good night's sleep.

6. Use interceptor traps

Bedbug interceptors help trap the bugs that are trying to climb up your bed. An interceptor is a small, plastic dish that is placed under your bed posts (or the legs of other furniture). It has a groove that helps trap the bedbugs. You can buy interceptors or make them yourself using some easy-to-find supplies. Place an interceptor trap under each leg of your bed to keep bedbugs from reaching you at night. Remember, these tips are not part of a one-and-done process. Even if you repeat these steps frequently, controlling and getting rid of bedbugs is difficult. So, if you have trouble dealing with the issue on your own, you may want to contact a qualified pest control professional or company for help. Here are some important things to keep in mind when you’re looking for a trustworthy pest control specialist: Do they have a current certification or license? You can use this licensed pest control company search tool to check if the professional or company you’re considering is licensed or certified. It’s also helpful to check whether the service you’re considering is affiliated with any professional pest control associations. If that’s the case, chances are the company cares about delivering quality results. Are they open to doing an inspection and discussing their treatment plan? Bedbugs or otherwise, pest control professionals should confirm the type of infestation they’ll be treating, the level of the problem, and what procedure(s) they will be performing. What active ingredient(s) are involved in the treatment?: If you or someone you’re living with has allergies, sensitivities, or other health concerns, talk about them with the pest control company. Make sure to also check whether the pesticides involved in the treatment can be used in your state .

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What do other people have to say about the company? It’s important to do your due diligence before moving forward with a professional bedbug treatment service. You can look at company reviews and ask people who have used the service whether they were satisfied. As an added measure, you can check with your state’s regulatory board on pesticides to see if the company has received any complaints. If you’re renting your home, get in touch with the landlord or building manager immediately. Similarly, if you’re traveling and you notice signs of bedbugs, contact the hotel or property manager right away.

Early signs of bedbugs

If you suspect you might be being bit by bedbugs but you’re not sure, look for these signs of a bedbug infestation :

Small, reddish-brown bedbugs, usually in mattress seams and piping

Tiny blood spots from crushed bugs on your mattress or bedding

Droppings that are about the size of poppy seeds on your bed sheets

Pale-yellow, molted skins on your bedding

A sweet, musty odor in your room, which may or may not be noticeable Usually, people aren’t aware they’ve been bitten by bedbugs until they wake up the next day. And not everyone develops symptoms, like welt-like bumps or itchiness, from the bites. In rare cases, some people develop serious or allergic reactions , like trouble breathing and tongue swelling, to bedbug bites. Seek immediate medical care or call emergency services immediately if you have a serious reaction.

What do bedbug bites look like?

Bedbug bites look a lot like mosquito or flea bites, so they can sometimes be difficult to distinguish. But here are some telltale signs to look out for: Small, very itchy, and reddish welt-like bumps, usually on the face, neck, and arms

Bumps with a red dot at the center

Bites that are clustered, generally in a set of three

A zigzag pattern or row of bites

How do you treat bedbug bites?

Bedbug bites generally go away on their own without treatment. The key is to prevent the bite marks from becoming infected. These simple strategies and treatments may be helpful:

Avoid scratching the bites.

Keep the bite areas clean by washing them with soap and water.

Use an over-the-counter steroid cream to relieve itching.

Try taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to soothe itchy skin .

See your healthcare provider immediately for bites that show signs of infection . These include welts that get worse, are painful, or start oozing pus. The bottom line You may be worried about getting bitten if you have to sleep in a bed with bedbugs. Although eliminating them is the best way to stop the bites, there are steps — from vacuuming and steam cleaning to wearing long-sleeved pajamas — you can take to keep bedbugs from ruining your rest.

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