“Good night. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” This is what most parents tell their child when they are about to turn the lights off. Unfortunately, it is not a matter of letting the bed bugs bite since these bugs are opportunistic and they will feed on human blood- whether you let them or not. For this reason, you have to be aware of the dangers of bed bug infestation in your home. If you have young children, it is only natural to worry about what might happen if your kid has been bitten by this pest.
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that can be found all over the world. This type of bug travels from one place to another through luggage, clothing, used beds, and other items. These bugs are nocturnal parasites; thus, they are relatively active at night. Unfortunately, there are some cases wherein bed bugs bite humans in the day as well. These bugs have highly developed mouths that enable them to pierce a persons’ skin painlessly. Some people do not suffer any reaction from the bites, but for others, these bites can become very itchy and may lead to swelling and reddened welts.
Bed bug Bites In Children
If a child suffers from bed bug bites, there will be more than one bite in the afflicted area. The bites usually happen at night, when your child is still sleeping. The bed bugs will pierce the skin and draw blood through their long elongated beak. The bites are usually painless but it can transform into itchy welts, which can be especially frustrating for children. Some of the signs of bed bug bites include:
- Large welts that will eventually reduce to red marks after a few days
- Itchiness
- Localized swelling
- Reddening of the skin
- Blister formation
The child who has been bitten by bed bugs will naturally scratch the bite. Doing so can split the skin and create an open wound that is vulnerable to infection. The child might also develop severe allergic reaction to the bite. If your child suffers from severe allergic reactions due to the bed bug bites, you must immediately take him/her to the doctor. Bed bugs are annoying and dangerous little critters that can harm your children.
Tips To Keep Bed bugs Away
- To be certain that your children do not have any bed bugs in their room, you have to carefully inspect the entire area, and do this frequently. You have to check their bedding, box springs, mattresses, and bed frames. You must also occasionally wash the bedding with very hot water and dry it on the hottest dryer setting allowable for the type of fabric. This method is the safest method of eliminating these bugs. Additionally, you can use a stiff brush to scrub the mattress seams to get rid of bed bugs or their eggs before vacuuming the room. You must also regularly vacuum over the mattress and bed frame.
- Encase the mattress and box springs with a tightly woven and zippered cover. Doing so will help keep bed bugs from entering or escaping. These bugs live up to a year even without feeding; thus, leaving the cover on your mattress for about a year will make sure that all bugs in the mattress are long gone.
- For a natural bed bug control solution, you can use a natural dehydrating substance known as Diatomaceous Earth, and apply it all over the bedroom. Be sure to get the food grade variation. This dehydrating substance will stick to the bug, causing it to dry up and die. The Diatomaceous Earth is safe to use and exposure to it is not dangerous for children.
- If you want to ensure that bed bugs are completely eradicated from your home, you must hire a qualified pest control exterminator. The exterminator can determine the extent of the infestation and implement the proper pest control solution. You can also ask the exterminator to use organic solutions for a much safer pest control method.
Proper hygiene practices, such as regular house cleaning, can help prevent further bed bug infestation. In addition, if your home has been recently treated with pest control to eliminate bed bugs, you must avoid vacuuming the area immediately to avoid removing the residual insecticide.
Citations:
Kris Lim is a mother and a writer who is concerned about the dangers of insects and bugs in a home. She now offers tips and advice on how to address pest infestation. She also writes for Preventive Pest Control, a pest control company that offers high quality pest control services.
