The Curse of Bed bugs

The one curse that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy is a bed bug infestation. After surviving a massive bed bug infestation, I find a new meaning to the phrase, "Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite". Believe me when I say that to this day, I get goosebumps when I hear anyone mention the words, "bed bug". If you haven't heard about bed bugs before, please continue reading this post especially if you are a frequent traveler or you want to be prepared for the apocalypse that is going to be taken over by these vermin. Just kidding! Please forgive my exaggerated paranoia that truly stems from personal trauma.

Bed Bug: The One True Menace of Them All

The Culprit

The first thing that you need to do is to imprint this image in your mind. if you ever see this on any mattress, then it is most definitely a bed bug. So, let me tell you a few facts before I delve into my personal experience with this pest.

There are two types of bed bugs which are Cimex Lectularious (common bed bug) and Cimex hemipterus. These are blood-sucking insects that require a host to survive and to add to the horror, the common bed bug prefers the blood of humans. They are active during the night and crawl out of their hiding places, suck the blood of their victims, and hide during the day. Their hiding places are usually close to where their hosts sleep which includes mattresses, sofas, couches, etc. Are you thinking of what I am thinking? They are miniature vampires. These insects are highly resilient and are extremely difficult to exterminate.

The Midnight Wars

My war against bed bugs began on the night that my sister and I were traveling on a bus from New York to Washington D.C. My sister was uncomfortable the whole trip since she felt as though something was biting her. We paid no heed since we figured the fabric of the bus seats was rough. Once, we got home, we we began to experience a strange crawling sensation on our skin that would wake us up every night. We started developing rashes on our skin that were severely itchy. I understood that we were experiencing an allergic reaction.

One night, I couldn't ignore the crawling sensation and shone the flashlight on the mattress. To my utmost horror, I noticed a small brown insect quickly crawling away. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to grab it and crush it between my fingers. The scent that it issued was quite unique and oddly metallic. After doing some research, I realized that we had a bed bug infestation. We deciphered that we had carried the bed bug from our recent travel.

The Year-long War

Believe me when I tell you that fighting against a bed bug infestation is no small feat and can be physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting. It does require a proper plan in order to make sure the infestation is eliminated. There are several steps that we had to take to take care of the infestation which I have pointed out below.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-8-legged-insect-on-black-surface-35804/

1. Seal all infested materials into vacuum bags and don't open them for a year. These were items that we absolutely didn't need. Bed bugs need a source of food and will die if they don't have access to it.

2. Wash the bedding and clothes in the washing machine and dryer at a high-temperature setting.

3. Invest in a steamer to steam the mattress, furniture, and clothes since bed bugs die at higher temperatures.

4. Purchase interceptor traps at the legs of each piece of furniture to prevent bed bugs from running from one piece of furniture to another.

5. Hire a Pest Management Professional if the infestation is extensive and requires chemical treatment.

We did not hire a pest management professional since we were still students and the cost was exorbitant. If you are in a similar predicament, you can follow the first few steps and find another place to stay if you have the option.

Final Words

It took us a year to be bed bug-free and to overcome the emotional trauma of it all. This entire experience has helped me appreciate the value of my home and how we often underestimate the simple pleasures of life like shelter, safety, and a night of peaceful rest. I hope that this post made you more aware of the curse of bed bugs and wish you all the safety on your travels. I will end here by saying," Good night, sleep tight and most assuredly don't let the bed bugs bite!"

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