10 exact signs and traces of bed bugs in the apartment: on the wallpaper, in the bed, on the bed

Reader Question:

Anna

Good afternoon, the problem is of the following nature: I am terribly afraid of insects, but now there is a need to monitor the appearance of bed bugs at home on my own, while all the helpers will be absent (my husband and children are going to grandmother). We recently did a chemical treatment, all by ourselves, so we're not sure how it will end. My husband fears that some individuals are hiding well. If we miss the moment they show up, then (quote): "It's all gone."
I was given two flashlights: a headlight and a hand flashlight, and I was asked to keep an eye on the house. But so far I can't imagine how I will watch for these pests all night long. I would like to ask an expert to tell me in detail what the signs of bed bugs in the apartment are. It would help me notice them during the day and sleep under a canopy at night (yes, I have one now). The question may not seem like a big deal, but for me it's problem #1 today. I hope you can tell me how to quickly find bed bugs in my home after treatment. Thank you.

The author of the portal answers the question:

Specific signs of bed bugs for humans in the apartment

Looking for parasites should be near a person's sleeping place. This is where bed bugs settle first. This is due to the accessibility of the food source (human blood) at night.

Characteristic bites

Such signs bed bugs in the apartment are detected on the morning of the day after the first pest entered the house.

Parasites need food to reproduce, so they attack immediately.

Symptoms that appear in the morning:

• red spots;
• itching in the puncture points of the skin: felt immediately if the insect nymph has attacked, or some time after contact with an adult parasite (due to the structure of the pest body);
• Swelling: may sometimes be present, depending on the reaction of the victim's body;
• bites form a kind of line (from 2-3 punctures);
• there is dried blood in the center.

Chitinous membranes

As it grows Insects shed their shells. This is the name given to the outer shell of bed bugs. The chitinous cover is not elastic. For this reason, when larvae/As the nymphs grow older, they get rid of their shells. This occurs mostly in "nests" (places where bed bugs congregate): inside the couch, under the mattress, inside the sockets, behind pictures, etc. However, chitinous shells are also found in other places: along baseboards, on floors, and in beds.

Clutches of eggs

When the female parasite lays eggsThe progeny are securely fastened in place. Thanks to it, the offspring are securely fixed. The female leaves her clutches in hidden places, and not only in the nest. For this reason they can also be detected. As long as there are few parasites, the eggs remain intact. If the number of the colony increases, however, the offspring are easier to detect. You can also see empty shells (white formations up to 1 mm long, one side of the lid is open).

Specific odor

When an object is infested with bed bugs, the concentration of substances excreted by them (excrement, biological fluids) gradually increases in the air. As a result, a specific smell is felt in the apartment, it resembles Scent old cognac.

Bloodstains

When bed bugs bite humans, they submerge the proboscis of their mouthparts under the skin. After it is extracted, a small amount of blood is sometimes secreted. If the person changes body position, sleep clothes or bedding may become soiled. The same happens when the parasite does not have time to crawl away. The person presses the bedbug, whose body has enlarged due to eating a lot of food, when he or she sleeps.

If you crush it, the chitinous covers will burst easily.

Traces of bed bugs on the wallpaper

As the colony grows, the insects spread around the room. Traces of their habitation become visible everywhere. In addition, the parasites can make nests under the wallpaper, where the covering has moved away from the wall.

The main signs of vitality

Bed bugs feed on blood, so their feces are dark in color.

The parasites leave black dots on various surfaces.

Excrement takes on this color because of the natural process of blood digestion. Such signs of bed bugs are found in the apartment in different areas: where the parasites live, along the baseboards, on the bed, on the walls. The more insects there are, the more surfaces become contaminated.

Other habitats in the apartment where to look for traces of bed bugs

Parasites populate not only the couch and the bed, but also spread out further. This happens for reasons:

• the number of insects increases;
• parasites become dough, so they form nests a little farther away from a person's sleeping place.

Baseboards

Bed bugs can crawl into narrow cracks. They also sometimes live under baseboards. In addition, signs of bed bugs are detected in these areas, as the insects tend to remain unnoticed even at night, moving around hidden areas.

Books

Bed bugs have a flattened body (when they are hungry). This allows them to enter hidden places to avoid danger (human encounters) during the day. For example, parasites crawl into books. Most often, bed bugs settle behind spines. But sometimes they can also exist between the stanzas if the books are not shelved close to each other.

Carpets

Insects are not found on the surface of tufted carpets: it is difficult for them to overcome such obstacles, the parasites can easily be found here. For this reason, bed bugs nest under the carpet, mostly along its perimeter.

The reverse side of furniture

There are many places where you can make a nest. In addition, people do not look here. The parasites are found on the backs of cabinets, behind armchairs, drawers, chests of drawers.

Interior Furnishings

Other favorite places:

• the backside of the paintings;
• photo frames, etc.

The parasites crawl in if there is a human sleeping place nearby. Because of the increase in their numbers, they have to find new habitats, so the pests hide not only inside the couch or bed, but also nearby.

Shelves

The parasites live not only on soft upholstery, but also on hard surfaces. They gather on shelves (in the corners), making a kind of nest. Here you will also find traces of bed bugs.

Clothes closets

When there is not enough space inside the bed/sofa, the insects get inside furniture that is close to the person's sleeping place. They can dwell on shelves or between things, but only when woven items are not used for a long time.

Upholstered furniture

Tracks bedbugs here should be looked for after the couch and bed have been checked. Examine armchairs, pouffes and other pieces of upholstered furniture. The parasites get inside, looking for hidden areas where no one will detect them.

Pot of flowers

House bugs do not live on the surface of the soil or in its structure. They occasionally make nests in the tray, under it. This happens when the rest of the habitat is already occupied by other parasites. In addition, they nest in flower pots when the owners do not keep their homes in good sanitary condition.

Soft toys

If parasites get into your home, they will first inhabit the upholstered furniture, the bed. Then - the surrounding objects: elements of decor, carpeting, rosettes, drapes.

The presence of parasites inside children's toys indicates that the other (familiar to bed bugs) places are occupied.

It means that the room is heavily infested. In addition, the presence of bed parasites inside children's toys is possible if the integrity of their coating is broken, there are cracks, holes through which the insects can enter.

Outlets

This is another one of my favorite places parasites. Bed bugs settle here if the outlets are near a person's sleeping area. In addition, insects create nests in these areas if there are too many parasites and other cracks are already occupied by their fellows.

Lights

Bedbugs are capable of crawling into lighting fixtures. In addition, they settle on the inner walls of the plafonds. However, the probability of this increases if the surface is woven, rough, and not metal, because it is difficult to stay on it.

Watch

If bed bugs are in the bed, they are likely to be found inside objects that are nearby as well. Often their nests are found inside a watch movement. This is possible if the back cover that covers it is loose.

Pictures on the walls

The parasites live on the backs of various objects. If the room is heavily infested, bed bugs can be found on the bedside table or wall. This is often where pictures are placed.

And it is not always easy to guess where the insects are hiding, which makes it impossible to get rid of them.

Home Appliances

Bed bugs, like cockroaches, can get inside electrical appliances without being harmful. However, there are usually few appliances in the bedroom. But if electrical appliances are installed nearby (air conditioning, TV), the parasites can live on the back wall or in the cracks of the cabinet.

Unstitched parquet

Flooring is another opportunity to hide. However, here. bedbugs They make nests if there are cracks, gaps that allow them to get in. However, bed bugs choose these places, if the parquet has moved away from the subfloor near the bed, couch.

Bed bug marks on bedding

Insects can infest pillows, mattress (if there are holes). It is necessary to pay attention to the condition of these items. If there are signs of parasites on the bedclothes, the entire bed is inspected.

How to get rid of bed bugs

When traces of habitation are found insects in the couch or other areas, you need to get them out as quickly as possible.

This treats all of the above places where pests are likely to appear.

Folk ways of influence

It is necessary to remove traces of bed bugs on the wallpaper, other areas. Then treat all surfaces, for which use handy tools:

1. Vinegar. Prepare a solution: mix the main component with water (1:1 ratio). Treat different surfaces of the house.
2. Essential oils. You can prepare a solution or put a few drops on cotton pads and spread them around the room.
3. Turpentine, kerosene, naphthalene. The first two components are taken in an amount of 0.25 ml each. Prepare 60 g of naphthalene. The mixture is applied to hidden areas throughout the room.
4. Ammonia alcohol. Add 1 tbsp. to a bucket of water. The liquid is used to wash the floor.
5. Decoction Wormwood. It repels bed bugs, for its preparation take 2 tbsp of raw materials, 1 cup of water. Then dilute the liquid with water (1:1), wash the floor. You can spread dried or fresh herbs around the house.

Proven chemicals

Insecticides do not just repel (like folk methods), but also kill the parasites. And the room can be cleaned in 1 day, but it is important to treat all surfaces, to find the nests of bed bugs. Preparations that should be used:

1. Get. It is a highly effective emulsion concentrate. Its advantage is the gradual release of the poisonous substance (originally contained in microcapsules).
2. Powder Hector. It contains components that are safe for humans, but it kills parasites. The advantage of this product is the absence of insecticide in its composition.
3. Medilis cyper (concentrate). It contains an insecticide (pyrethroid), but is of moderate toxicity, conditionally safe for humans.
4. Raid (aerosol). The product is sprayed over bedbug nests, but it is important to treat other surfaces where the insects can crawl.
5. Fufanon. This product is more aggressive, and care should be taken when treating it.

Video advice (photo + video): how to quickly notice the signs of bed bugs, get rid of them effectively and quickly

Reviews

Tips from the experts

Anna

Entomologist, researcher. Work experience of 16 years.

- when there are bites, you need to start examining the bed or couch, if there are traces of insects, then you can start fighting with them, otherwise, there is a high probability that the cause of the spots on the body - other parasites (mosquitoes, fleas);
- When applying/spraying the insecticide, it is important to make sure that all coatings (except upholstered furniture) are treated, the substance can be washed off after no earlier than 2 weeks;
- you need to use different agents at the same time (for example, insecticides and essential oils), this will help to repel the remaining living insects.

Conclusion

Bed bugs rapidly infect the room. Before you start fighting them, you need to know their weaknesses. Peculiarities of parasites:

1. The first signs of infestation in the apartment are: bites on the body (appear in open areas, only at night), an odor reminiscent of the aroma of old cognac. Traces of pests on furniture, walls, floor (excrement - in the form of black dots) are detected.
2. Look for insect nests everywhere: inside beds, mattresses, pillows, chairs, outlets, furnishings, appliances, in the trays of flower pots, on drapes, behind cabinets, under flooring and baseboards. The parasites look for any hiding place near where a person sleeps, which allows them to quickly reach the source of food.
3. For struggles The first type is intended to repel insects, and the second type destroys them. The first are designed to repel insects, the second - to destroy them, and it is important to carry out the treatment in protective gear (respirator, goggles, gloves).