Bed bugs are insects that survive by feeding on the blood of their hosts, including the blood of humans. Their most common habitat is furniture like sofas and mattresses. They are well adapted to human environments and thrive in high traffic areas like hotels. These insects are mainly active at night or just before dawn and are even able to feed during the day. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. They have two hollow tubes that they use to break the skin of their prey. One tube injects its saliva into its host and the other tube is used to withdraw blood. They typically feed for five minutes before retreating back to their hiding places. Their bites are not felt until minutes or even hours later. The site will usually become a red bump or welt and will itch constantly.

Certain people who are allergic to their bites will even become nauseous and feel ill, but these cases are very rare. You are able to acquire and infest your home with bed bugs in several ways. Often, you can pick up bed bugs from hotels and motels and bring them back in your belongings. Bringing infested clothing and furniture into your home is also a possibility. Bed bugs are also able to travel between apartments and dormitories or get brought in by pets.

If your home is invaded by bed bugs, you probably intend to get rid of them as soon as possible. A way to get rid of bed bugs is to wash all bedding materials in detergent and hot water. Items that cannot be washed like stuffed animals should be sealed in plastic bags for a few weeks. You should vacuum everything including mattresses, furniture, curtains, and the carpet. Make sure you vacuum the bed frames, baseboards, and furniture with the crevice tool. This will not get rid of all the adult bed bugs and the eggs. You will need to apply a pesticide or other product to remove the remaining bugs. Most products used to kill bed bugs are pesticides.

Even though this type of treatment is very effective, it is potentially harmful to humans and pets. You will have to wear protection for your eyes and skin when using these products. Contact with these products can cause redness and itching. Prolonged exposure has been rumored to cause respiratory problems, liver problems, and cancer.

Natural products can also be used to get rid of bed bugs. These products are safe for use around humans and pets. They are also very effective at killing and preventing bed bugs. A product to recommend is Bug Patrol. Bug Patrol is all natural and works well. It is both a spray and a dust that are used in conjunction to kill bed bugs and prevent them from returning. It is very simple to use and there are no harmful side effects.

Another method to get rid of bed bugs is to use neem oil. Neem oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from seeds and fruits. You can spray it on carpets, mattresses, and furniture. It is another all natural and effective insect repellent.

When you travel you should take certain measures to make sure you avoid bringing bed bugs into your home. When staying in a hotel or motel you should examine the room for bed bugs. Mattress seams, bedboards, pillow case linings, wall trims, and carpet edges are the likely hiding places for bed bugs. In the mattress seams you should look for eggs, droppings, and bloodstains. Keep a flashlight handy while you sleep if you suspect bed bugs are in the bed with you. Avoid placing your clothing on the bed or floor. You should use hangers or hooks instead. You need to hang purses and shopping bags as well. When not in use, all luggage including suitcases and purses should be closed to prevent the bugs from getting inside and traveling with you. It may be a good idea to keep your luggage off the floor by placing them on a table or chair. You can also trap bed bugs by using double-sided carpet tape. Place long strips around or near the bed and be sure to check the strips every day.