How to fight against bed bugs?
So small and yet so feared, bed fleas have become the nightmare of many French households. Although eradicated in 1950, these insects resurfaced in the early 2000s.
A real hunt for bedbugs has recently been set up all over France. And for good reason, it is a real ordeal to get rid of them..
What is a bed bug?
Bedbugs are a species of heteropterous insects of the family Cimicidae, found in various parts of the world, particularly in France. Adults, both male and female, take advantage of our sleep to bite us. They suck blood for 3 to 15 minutes, then hide for several days to digest it.
Contrary to what some may think, this is not a problem of cleanliness. They can be brought back from a trip, a move, or a visit to a neighbor. Also watch out for old items that you may bring back from a flea market or garage sale as they could be the ideal Trojan horse.
Their characteristics allow us to recognize them easily:oval in shape and measuring from 4 to 7mm, they can be distinguished with the naked eye. They are generally brown, but once they are gorged with blood, their color varies from red to dark brown. They have a lifespan of 5 to 6 months, but they can live more than a year without feeding when they go into a dormant state. Their eggs, the size of a pinhead, are whitish. They are often grouped in small spaces and hatch about 10 to 14 days after being laid.
Disastrous consequences
There are many consequences after these infestations and the presence of these small bugs can quickly turn into a real nightmare. According to a study carried out by the Inserm Sentinel network, bedbugs are the cause of more than 70,000 medical consultations per year in France. In fact, they cause skin lesions resulting from scratching blood caused by the unbearable itching of the bites. Children are particularly concerned. Nights interrupted by itching, children who wake up and can no longer go back to sleep, the fear of being bitten, or the shame of seeing their home infested… many people who are victims of these insects feel that the infestation has an impact on their professional, family or social life and this generates many consultations.
Good practices
- Once the bedbugs have been identified, they must not be dispersed.
- Therefore, avoid shaking the sheets out of the window or evacuating your mattress, you could contaminate your entire apartment and common areas.
1. STEAM
One of the most effective methods of getting rid of bed bugs is the steam cleaner. From 60°C onwards, bedbugs and their eggs are eradicated without damaging your bed or other surfaces.
2. THE WASHING MACHINE / DRYER
Beforehand, store everything that is washable in airtight bags. Then start a 60°C or 90°C cycle for all textiles that can withstand it. Do not hesitate to replace the usual fabric softener with white vinegar and finish with a complete cycle in the tumble dryer (30 to 45 min).
3. THE IRONING
For textiles such as clothes, curtains, comforter covers, sheets, complete the eradication mission by ironing, as hot as possible.
4. COLD
If your invasion takes place in winter and in a particularly cold area, place everything that is infested outside, and make sure not to shake or scatter the bugs beforehand. Be careful, it must freeze for several days for the cold to kill bed bugs.
Another option: place the objects in the freezer for 3 days at -18°C, but make sure to wrap them beforehand. In winter, it is advisable to lower the temperature of the heater to limit proliferation. On the other hand, in summer, do not use air conditionner. Bed bugs do not like extreme temperatures: hot and cold.
5. THE VACUUM CLEANER
First of all, you must inspect every nook and cranny of your room and not leave anything out: carpets, curtains, furniture, mattress seams, clothing, books, rugs, drawers, baseboards, cracks, wallpaper, cushions, cracks, lint, door frames, pictures and even electrical outlets! Confine the room by placing tape on all entry and exit points then vacuum everywhere meticulously.
How to avoid them?
If you go on a trip, be careful and never put your suitcases on your bed. On your return, check and wash your clothes at 60° before storing them in your wardrobe so as not to contaminate the rest of your wardrobe. Vacuum your luggage and throw the bags away.
At home, avoid cluttering up your spaces, check and clean second-hand items. Wash your second-hand clothes at 60°C or place them in your dryer on the hottest cycle for 30 minutes or freeze them.
Repair loose wallpaper or remove it and retighten socket plates if necessary. Also avoid picking up an abandoned mattress or sofa on the sidewalk, it could be fatal!
Inspect your home regularly to detect their presence.
It is important to make regular inspections to prevent infestations.
HOME COLLECTION MATTRESS PROTECTOR CAP
The government recommends that only over-infested items such as mattresses be discarded. In order to avoid this for your mattress especially if it’s new, we have bed bug guards available. At Literie Bonnet, we suggest you protect your bedding with the Bonnet Home collection mattress protector.
Its effectiveness is no longer to be proven. Indeed, it has been tested and certified by the independent laboratory TEC.This mattress protector contains a natural anti-punctures of vegetable origin harmlessto your skin and your health. Waterproof and breathable, its hermetic construction guarantees the mattress a total insulation. So, if you don’t want to experience the ordeal caused by bed bugs, do not hesitate to equip your mattresses with the Bonnet Home collection bed bugs mattress protectors.
