Domestic or bed bugs are dangerous and unpleasant neighbors. Their appearance in the house is completely independent of the cleanliness or lifestyle of the residents. Just a few larvae of this insect that got into an apartment on the fur of a pet or on purchased furniture is enough for a colony of ticks to firmly settle next to a person. Irritation, redness, characteristic traces of insect bites on the skin of the inhabitants of the house are the first sign of this dangerous neighborhood. And also the heavy rotten smell of raspberries, small blots of blood and black dots on bedding and furniture, white eggs resembling grains of rice in secluded corners of the room - all this can be a sign that one of the most indestructible types of parasites lives in the house. - house bugs. How to remove these uninvited guests? Are there disinfectants that are safe for people and pets?What are bedbugs afraid of, and what methods of dealing with these insects are just a waste of money and time?
Where are domestic bed bugs found and why are they so dangerous?
The optimal habitat for bed bugs is a dark, dry place and consistently warm, room temperature. Under such conditions, the family of these blood-sucking insects is rapidly increasing. Bed bugs can settle in any suitable place, but they prefer to live in mattresses, sofas, chairs, bedding or pet houses - wherever there is access to the main source of food - the blood of a person or a pet.
The bites of these insects are painless, but very dangerous. In addition to causing an allergic reaction and skin irritation, bed bugs carry various diseases. An overgrown family of such parasites can cause asthma attacks, hopelessly ruin furniture, wallpaper, and household items. Therefore, the sooner you start fighting with such neighbors, the better. The most effective way, of course, is to turn to professional exterminators. Especially if a bedbug colony has started up in several neighboring apartments: in this case, the entire infected area should be treated. If for some reason it is impossible to invite employees of the SES or a company specializing in the destruction of ticks, you can use something for disinfestation that home bugs are afraid of: folk remedies or special chemicals fromstore.
Chemical method: how to choose insecticides?
When choosing chemical pesticides, it is best to use the advice of a professional exterminator or an experienced consultant. Use the remedy for bedbugs should be according to the attached instructions, carefully observing the dosage. Violation of pest control technology can lead to disastrous consequences. Like many parasitic insects, bed bugs are highly resilient and have the ability to adapt to chemicals. The bugs and their larvae that have survived one or two pest control get used to the components of the substance used. This makes the further use of insecticides of this group useless, and also allows the bedbug colony to grow rapidly.
Means for the destruction of bedbugs can be produced in various forms: in the form of powder, sprays, sticks, liquid solutions. Most often, chemicals for the preparation of aqueous solutions are recommended for the fight: karbofos, chlorophos, microphos and others. A lot of good reviews were collected by the Pyrethrum powder dry insecticide, which is applied to surfaces in a dry form, as well as the Tetrix imported liquid insecticide. Today, there is a large selection of drugs in the form of sprays, their main advantage is that the insecticide almost does not get on clothes or skin when sprayed.
It is important, along with insecticides, to take care of protective equipment for yourself: gloves, goggles, waterproof (oilcloth) apron.
Step by step processingchemicals
Regardless of the insecticide chosen, there are general rules for processing, after which the house bugs will leave the house forever. How to remove these insects at home with insecticides?
- Before starting treatment, it is imperative to prepare the home to protect people and pets from the harmful effects of insecticide components: pack dishes, clothes and personal hygiene items in film, after checking for the absence of insects or their larvae. The same applies to children's things.
- If necessary, dilute the chemical. Carefully treat all surfaces in the house, and not just places where bedbugs accumulate.
- If possible, it is better not to be in the house for a day after treatment.
- Don't forget that each insect repellent has a different duration of action. During this time, it is impossible to ventilate and carry out wet cleaning.
- To complete the treatment with chemicals, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and ventilate. You will need to rinse all surfaces, knock out or vacuum carpets and furniture well. It is important to minimize the likelihood that bedbug eggs will remain in the apartment, so it is better to dry-clean all items that can serve as a "cache" for the larvae: pillows, blankets, soft toys, fur, synthetic winterizers, etc. If possible, it is best to replace items such as pet bedding, furniture covers, filters, and vacuum cleaner dust bags with new ones. Bed linen, textiles, towels should be washed at 90°C orboil.
Folk ways
The so-called folk methods for the destruction of bedbugs are not as fast and effective as chemical treatment, and for the most part they are preventive in nature. But they can also help in the fight against such an enemy as bed bugs. What are these insects afraid of?
- Too high or too low temperatures.
- Strong odors of certain substances or certain plants.
How to use for non-chemical pest control what bed bugs are afraid of?
Temperature method
Temperature fluctuations, too hot air or frost are conditions that house bugs do not tolerate. What are these insects afraid of? +20…+30°C is considered the ideal temperature for the rapid growth of a colony of bed bugs. Any long-term deviations from this level make the bugs feel uncomfortable and slow down reproduction. But in order to destroy or force parasites to migrate, it is necessary to create a temperature for them either below -20°C or above 35-40°C for several days. How can this be applied at home?
- For the fight against bedbugs with low temperatures, winter frosty weather is perfect. It is enough to cool down the apartment, leaving all the windows open for at least two or three days.
- Raising the air temperature to a level uncomfortable for bed bugs is not easy at home. This way it is easier to handlemattresses, blankets, pillows and other items, roasting them in the sun in hot calm weather. Steaming, boiling are also possible.
Smells against parasites
It has long been known that bed bugs do not tolerate harsh strong odors. Substances and herbs that exude bright persistent aromas have a preventive effect and help prevent the re-settlement of bedbugs after pest control. What smell are bed bugs afraid of?
- Table vinegar.
- Acetone.
- Perfume with a strong scent.
- Ammonia.
- Metal.
- Kerosene.
- Turpentine.
For the use of all of these substances, a general rule applies: only a thick concentrated smell can affect bedbugs. Therefore, the treatment with odorous substances will have to be carried out regularly.
It is immediately worth noting that all of the above substances, unlike insecticides, do not destroy home bugs. However, the pungent odor (something that bed bugs fear) can scare away blood-sucking parasites and force insects to change their place of residence.
Herbs: what plants repel insects, how to use herbal preparations
The fact that house bugs are afraid of the strong smells of herbs and flowers has been known to people for more than one century. The ethereal aromas of certain plants spread around the house in places where parasites accumulate act as a powerful repellant for these insects. You can use both herbs harvested independently, andpurchased at the pharmacy. To combat household parasites, you can use the following herbal preparations:
- Chamomile. Applied dried.
- wormwood. The most recommended herbal remedy for bed bugs. Fresh herb is best, but dried wormwood will do as well.
- Valerian (pharmacy tincture).
- Ledum (dried and chopped).
- A mixture of calamus and tansy. Fresh or dried herbs are used in crushed form. The only negative of this option is that the aroma of tansy can cause a strong reaction in a person or his pets, so you should not forget about daily airing.
Lighting: Are bed bugs afraid of bright light?
There is a widespread belief that bed bugs are afraid not only of strong odors, but also of bright light. But professional exterminators argue that the fight against these insects with the help of light is ineffective, if not simply useless. Sleeping with electric lights on, lifting mattresses and bedding, these measures will only force the bedbug colony to seek a more secluded place in the apartment.
Useless ways: what are bedbugs not afraid of?
Trying to scare away bed bugs with bright lights is not the only useless way to get rid of these parasites. What won't help with bed bugs?
- The magnetic, ultrasonic repellers of insects and pests widely advertised today are not at all what house bugs are afraid of. In practice, gadgets do not work on them. Aboutthis is often told on online forums by people who tried to rid their homes of bedbugs in this way.
- Disinfectant solutions: soap and soda, chloride, saline.
- Get rid of furniture or mattress. The advice to simply throw away a sofa or mattress infected with bedbugs is useless, as insects live and lay their larvae in all secluded corners of the home. Without additional pest control, bedbugs will very quickly start up on bedroom furniture purchased to replace discarded ones.
