Unfortunately, if you are here, you are probably wondering if you are dealing with a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are something you hope you never have to come across in your lifetime. Infestation can happen to anyone no matter how they live their life. So, do bed bugs actually get into a box spring too? We've researched the habits of these tiny critters to get the answer for you.
Bed bugs are an invasive species whose favorite place to hide is in your mattress and box spring. You can find evidence of bed bugs by looking for speckling on the wood in the box spring or rusty, reddish stains on bedsheets. Another indication would be the molting of a said bug in or around your bed.
We'll take a closer look at identifying bed bugs and a bit about their lifespan and habits. If you suspect bed bugs have infested your box spring, you'll want to stay with us to learn how to eradicate them.
Detecting Bed Bugs
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Bed bugs have a reddish-brown color and are minuscule. Their bodies are small, flat, and round with antennae. They secrete a sweet, musty smell that can be helpful for detecting them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bed bugs feed on the blood of human hosts and live within eight feet of their food but are known to travel over one hundred feet overnight.
Lifespan
A bed bug's lifespan ranges from egg to fully grown. Starting in the egg stage, which is a milky color. Naturally, eggs are laid three to five at a time. Within two weeks, the eggs hatch and immediately begin feeding on the host.
Young bed bugs are yellow in color and take up to five weeks to become a fully-fledged adult. In this process they shed their outer layer on several occasions. Once an adult, they generally feed weekly.
In most cases, a bed bug's lifespan is around four to six months, however, one can live up to a year without a host. Fully grown females lay eggs daily, making the infestation hard to control.
Warning Signs & Travel Patterns
The commonplace first sign of bed bugs is little red itchy bites that show up after a night’s sleep. Not withstanding, bites can sometimes take up to 14 days to develop on the host. The bites tend to be like those of mosquitos or flea bites. It is usually self-diagnosable and self-treatable.
The good news is bed bugs are not known to be transmitters of disease and do not spread illness either. Despite that, feces alone can cause a public health issue. In many cases, the bites are not harmful to humans but can cause an allergic reaction if you are severely bitten.
They typically spread to your home through luggage, clothing, laundry mats, used beds, couches, or chairs. Recently, the United States, Canada, and a few other countries have seen an increased amount of cases, according to the Center for Disease Control.
How do you draw bed bugs out of hiding?
These little creatures hide in crevices all over your room. With such a small body, they can hide in spaces as little as the width of a credit card. Taking a card or a brush to the smaller creases of your bed frame and box spring will help evict the bugs and any eggs lying in wait.
Bed bugs are usually sensitive to light, so they only come out at night. They are attracted to the heat that your body gives off. So a useful way to lure them out of hiding is using what attracts them most. Bed bug traps mimic your body temperature and CO2 that your body releases when you breathe and can be a beneficial way to tempt them. You can find the traps on Amazon.com or Walmart.com, as well as any store that has a repellant section.
Click here to see traps on Amazon.
How do you get rid of bed bugs in a box spring?
Once you have determined that you have bed bugs by the bites and detecting the evidence, a great way to get rid of them is by using heat. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bed bugs die at 130 degrees, and at that temperature, it kills 100% of bed bug stages.
Using a steam cleaner or a hairdryer is an effective way to eradicate these unwelcome guests. As well as cleaning up any affected place they could be hiding like washing and drying your sheets, clothing, curtains, and stuffed animals on high heat.
Another option of getting rid of the infestation would be purchasing chemicals and spraying them thoroughly throughout the area. Some places carry bug bombs that can fumigate an entire section of your home. However, it is not generally safe to use chemicals in your bedroom, therefore it is best to call an exterminator.
Click here to see spray killer on Amazon.
In order to fully evict the freeloaders and take care of your bed bug situation, you need to make sure you get all of them. They can hide for long periods of time because they do not need to feed every day.
What to do if you slept with bed bugs?
Unfortunately, if you have slept with bed bugs, it would be obvious from the small bites on your skin. The good news is that these bites on your skin will go away on their own most of the time. The bites usually last a few days to a few weeks. However, if you do not administrate the steps to exterminate the invasion, these bites will not heal as you will continually be fed upon during your sleep.
Treatment for the infestation can take quite some time. With the bugs hiding in small places and conceivably scattered throughout the area, it can be difficult to get every one of them in a single treatment. If the case of bed bugs does arise, don’t feel bad about it. Bed bugs do not restrict their tastes to clean or dirty houses. It was just a short straw.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to dealing with bed bug hitchhikers, prevention is key. Reduce the number of spaces they can hide by cleaning up the clutter. Use your vacuum on your rugs and furniture as well to pick them up. Regularly wash your sheets or turn to a pest control specialist.
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