One of nature’s most annoying little insect nuisances is freeloading bed bugs. These mini-party crashers have mastered the art of hitchhiking, turning your kid’s backpacks into their free tickets to your house. At least that is one of the many ways bed bugs sneak in. Once inside, they prefer to make their new home in your kid’s mattresses instead. Let’s dive into the scary world of these nasty critters that can make even the most fearless of parents shudder.
Freeloading bed bugs - hitchhiking straight to your home
These bugs are the original parasites of the Insecta world. They are masters of disguise and like hiding in clothes, backpacks, suitcases, shoes, mattresses, and furniture. These tiny terrors are thinking, ”Who needs a five-star bed and breakfast when we can temporarily bunk in a cheerful unicorn sparkle backpack?” They hop and skip right into your child’s backpack, then jump to the shared locker at school, making their rounds like your kids on Halloween night. But they are no fun once they hitchhike inside your house. Instead, these nasty free-loading bugs are moving in to collect bites from your kids and then you!
Freeloading bed bugs in your kid's world
Bed bugs aren’t picky about how they get around. They are experts at travel to unknown and fun destinations. They love to share close quarters during a game of tag and hitch a ride during nap time. Imagine one of these tiny pesky bugs leaping from a child’s sweater to their nearest sleeping classmate.
It’s a big kid's problem too
Do you have kids in college? Bed bugs can be a hotbed of problems for college campuses too. Since kids come and go from dormitories all year long and sometimes travel to other countries where bed bugs are less controlled, they can accidentally bring the freeloading bed bugs home this way.
Minor irritations and major allergic headaches
So, you’ve unknowingly welcomed these freeloading bed bugs of nastiness into your home. Now what? These bugs might not cause you to wince in pain like stepping on a Lego in a dark room in the middle of the night, but they do come with irritations that can be minor or major, depending on your situation. If they bite you or your family members, some of you may notice red, itchy spots. These bites may lead to secondary infections if they are scratched too much. The bites can also lead to mild to moderate allergic reactions.
What do these allergic bite reactions look like?
- Bites with a widespread rash of fluid-filled blisters
- Hives
- Small itchy bumps where the bites are
- Bites that have painful swelling
- Skin infections with tenderness or pus
- Fever or swollen tongue
- Nausea or flu-like feelings
- In rare cases, anaphylaxis
Now you’re thinking, “Did I need to add ‘bed bug allergy’ to my list of phobias alongside clowns and spiders?”
How to treat bites?
- Avoid scratching (easier said than done)
- Use ice packs to help lessen itching and swelling
- Use a calamine lotion or anesthetic cream
- Take an antihistamine
- If pain is severe, take pain medication
- Call your doctor if you have signs of an infection or allergic reaction, or for further questions
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
How can you keep the freeloading bed bugs out? Here are some steps to keep your home bug-free.
- First, keep your little kiddo’s backpacks away from bedrooms and living areas. This also applies to traveling adults and their suitcases. This may help stop the bed bug’s access to bedrooms and mattresses.
- Putting clothes in the dryer for a quick 15-20 minute spin at high heat will kill any annoying hitchhikers.
- Regularly inspect and clean school items.
- Think twice before bringing in that gently used couch you found at the neighbor’s garage sale.
- Properly wash second-hand clothes from a thrift store as soon as you bring them into your home.
It’s a small price to pay to avoid a family of bed bugs moving in uninvited.
What happens if you do find bed bugs in your house?
Here’s the sad truth—getting rid of freeloading bed bugs in your home is about as easy as getting your teenager to clean their room. It can be a long, drawn-out process filled with resistance and procrastination. But the best answer is professional pest control! Conquistador will be your first line of defense, inspect your home, and have the most effective way to get rid of the bugs. In addition to working with our professional pest control company, you can cover mattresses with plastic encasements that trap the bugs inside, wash bedding in hot water, and dry on high heat. We recommended cleaning regularly and reducing clutter, which are natural hiding places for bugs.
Bed bugs are no laughing matter. Stay clean, and vigilant, and may your days and nights be bug-free!
We are professional exterminators at Conquistador Pest & Termite Inc. (BUS #2022 | QP 1289). We have the experience and knowledge needed to safely eliminate these unwanted pests.
Call us today for more information or visit our services page. You won’t regret it!
