Dealing with BedBugs

Adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius

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It seems bedbugs are everywhere anymore! Even the nice hotels!

What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are the common name for Cimex lectularius, a reddish-brown, oval-shaped insect that can grow to a quarter of an inch long. Bed bugs are wingless and survive by sucking blood from a host animal, preferably a human.

Why Are They Called Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs commonly hide in mattresses, carpets, behind peeling paint or wallpaper, and in crevices in wooden furniture. Bed Bugs are nocturnal and typically bite people while they sleep in an infested bed.

Where Did Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs travel surprisingly well, and are quite comfortable stowing away in luggage and even clothing. The bugs are increasingly found hiding in beds, upholInspecting for Bedbugsstered furniture and behind baseboards in urban hotels in America.

What Can You Do to Avoid Bed Bugs?
Look around. Bed bugs are large enough to see. Look particularly under the mattress and in the seams, in and around the bed frame, and along any cracks or peeling paint in the wall or picture frames.  You can also spot droppings from bed bugs, which may be tinged with blood on the mattresses in hotels.
What Should You Do if You Are Bitten by Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs bite exposed skin and leave behind small, red, itchy welts.  The CDC does say that bites from bed bugs can be treated with topical emollients or corticosteroids. You can also take an oral antihistamine. If you are exposed, you may consider treating your home as well. If at a hotel and bitten – wash everything well when you get home before they have a chance to ‘move in’.  Anything that can’t go into the wash should be exposed to extreme heat or cold.

What Should You Do if Bed Bugs Are in Your House?
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate. They hide well and can go up to a year without feeding.  Most pest control companies are equipped to handle bed bugs. There are a few home remedies you can also use to protect yourself, your clothes and your furniture. Steam and high heat can help. Also seal any mattresses in airtight bags.

When I checked my town in the Bedbug registry I found 5 hotels in bowling green ky with bedbugs:

Ramada Inn
4767 Scottsville Rd Bowling Green, KY

Holiday Inn University Plaza Bowling Green
1021 Wilkinson Trace, Bowling Grn Bowling Green, KY

Super 8
110 Willamette Ln Bowling Green, KY

Best Western-Motor Inn
166 Cumberland Trace Rd Bowling Green, KY

Motel 6
3139 Scottsville Rd Bowling Green, KY

This doesn’t mean every room has bed bugs, but it does mean someone reported at least one room as having them.

 

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