Bed bug bites
Bed bug bites. “Night night, sleep tight, mind that the Bed bugs don’t bite….” A rhyme that was sung to us before we went to bed as children. However, I never saw a Bed bug as a child or in the 1980’s, 1990’s, and into the 21st Century. The rhyme began to feel archaic like ‘Ring a Ring of Roses’ which can be traced back to the seventeenth century – and is arguably connected to The Plague. Nevertheless, Bed bugs are back with us. They have found a way to be resistant to modern chemicals and we now are faced with a nuisance pest that likes to eat our blood.
What do Bed bug bites look like?
A Bed bug will devour exposed skin, so you often find a rash of bites occurring on the face, arms, feet and legs. Furthermore, the rash will be itchy and quite uncomfortable and like other insect bites it is best to not scratch. Infected bites often need antibiotics to clear up the skin. Therefore, to sooth a Bed bug rash calamine lotion or cream is recommended along with Aloe Vera skin cream. Anti-inflammatory creams are also available from your pharmacist. For more information see the NHS link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bedbugs/
Bed bug bites
Bed Bug close up
Where have they come from?
Humans moving around! It’s spring and we are all about to be out and about visiting family and friends for the Easter weekend. You can pick up Bed bugs anywhere. However, be vigilant if you are planning on staying in a Bed & Breakfast or Hotel for the weekend. Or, perhaps the family have redecorated for your visit and furnished your room with upcycled chairs from the thrift shop? – unknowingly bringing Bed bugs into the home.
What to do
Check the bed for clean sheets. If you get nibbled in the night look for Bed bug droppings – pin head black dots of waste that will show on your sheets. Or, yellow marks which appear if you have squashed the creatures whilst asleep. Then wash everything on a very hot wash. If you get nibbled again it’s time to call in the professionals. Whilst extreme temperatures will kill beg bugs it might not be possible to wash everything. So, call Chris here at Shawyers to get expert help to sort out this nuisance pest. Fix the problem quickly and don’t let the bugs ruin your sleep.