If you are dealing with a bedbug infestation, you know that it can be difficult to get rid of them. But, knowledge is power. Allowing your revulsion to get the better of you will not be useful in this fight. Knowing a few things about your foe can help you to eradicate them. When you understand how they spread, what attracts them, how long they live, and how to get rid of them, you will be more likely to rid yourself of them than if you just sit around worrying.
First, the good news: Bedbugs are not known to carry disease. While that may not make you any less disgusted at the idea of parasitic insects in your home, at least, you know that they are more of a nuisance than a threat.
Next, you should know that you are more likely to find bedbugs in places that have a high turnover of overnight guests, especially if any of these guests have recently traveled to foreign countries. Hotels and hospitals are the ground zero of many infestations. If you have stayed in one of these places recently, then that is probably how you picked up your own little guests.
You should also know that an infestation has nothing to do with your housekeeping or hygiene. Bedbugs, like fleas and mosquitos, feed on blood, not dirt.
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One thing you will want to know when trying to get rid of them is “How long do bed bugs live?” Unfortunately, the answer is not always clear-cut: it depends several factors. Some studies show that in a cooler climate of around 50 degrees or so, bedbugs metabolisms slow down and they can live well over a year. In places where the temperature is closer to human body temperature, their metabolism is faster and they may only live 6 to 12 months.
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Other factors such as access to food also play a part in the length of their lifespan, although adult bedbugs can live a long time without a meal. Even knowing that a bedbug can live for several months, however, can be pretty daunting. It can be even worse when you understand that a female lays about 5 eggs daily during her lifecycle and that those eggs only take about a week or so to hatch. That means that infestations can take hold rapidly.
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So, the really important thing to know is how to get rid of your bed bug problem. diatomaceous earth and neem oils have both been noted organic treatments. Getting a professional involved is probably your best bet, however. It will take an average of three treatments to get rid of bedbugs as the treatments will get rid of live bedbugs but any eggs will still hatch after treatment. After the first treatment, you will still need more treatments to kill the newly hatched pests.
Getting rid of your bed bug problem can be daunting but with the right information and the right help it doesn’t have to be impossible.