Have you been experiencing itching at random spots on your body when you lie in bed? And if you notice small red marks, you might have caught the attention of bed bugs — tiny parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans or animals. According to Harvard Health, they do not transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itching, discomfort, and allergic reactions.An expert at hiding in small spaces, spotting bedbugs requires close inspection and a sharp eye, particularly when it comes to your sleeping areas. During the day, they hide in dark, concealed places such as the seams of mattresses, bed frames, furniture crevices, baseboards, and even electrical outlets. And when night falls, they come alive and become the most active. Clean your sleeping areas regularly (Source: Freepik)Deepak Sharma of Indian Pest Control Company told indianexpress.com that bed bugs are tiny bloodsuckers. “They bite you at night because you’re not moving, your body is warm and they can smell carbon dioxide you breathe out,” he said, adding that these creatures don’t live on your body—they feed and then crawl back to their hideout.Where do bed bugs usually hide?Sharma shared that you can generally find these pests hiding in the following nooks and crannies of your house:• Inside mattress seams and under the tags• Cracks in the bed frame or headboard• Behind wall hangings or photo frames near the bed• Inside electrical outlets• In the folds of curtains• Under couches or chair cushions• Even inside books or laptop vents (in heavy infestations)“Basically, any tiny crack near where you sleep or sit can be home for bed bugs,” reasoned the expert.And how can you get rid of them?Bed bugs are stubborn, and hence Sharma shared a 5 step fool-proof plan to help you get rid of them from the house.Story continues below this ad1. Deep Clean + Declutter• Wash all bedding, clothes, curtains on the high heat and dry settings.• Vacuum the bed, sofa, corners, baseboards every day.• Declutter the space—bed bugs love clutter, hence keeping your space neat and clean should be a top priority.2. Isolate the bed• Pull your bed away from the wall.• Put bed bug interceptors under the legs (traps that catch them if they try to climb up).• Don’t let blankets touch the floor.3. Kill the hidden ones• Use a steam cleaner since bed bugs die at high temperatures.• You can also use diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it in cracks and crevices.4. Seal and trap• Zip up your mattress in a bed bug-proof encasement and leave it sealed for at least a year.• Seal up any cracks in walls or furniture.Story continues below this ad5. Repeat, and repeat again• Eggs hatch every few days, and therefore just one cleanup won’t cut it.• You have to stay on it for at least 4–6 weeks, and repeat the entire process from top to bottom for effective results.ALSO READ | Bed bugs’ biggest impact may be on mental health after an infestation of these bloodsucking parasitesCommon mistakes to avoidSharma said that one of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that bed bugs will go away on their own. “They multiply fast, and every day you delay makes it worse. In fact, just spraying random insecticides won’t cut it. Many sprays don’t kill eggs, and bed bugs hide too well,” he said, advising against treating only the bed.“The problem lies beyond where you sleep, as these tiny insects hide in walls, chairs, curtains, sockets. Thus, you have to treat the whole room,” he said. Another overlooked area is not checking second-hand furniture when you buy them from thrift sales.📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Pest attackpesticide