Many of us are familiar with the saying, “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite”. But what exactly are bed bugs and do they pose any serious health problems? In this blog, we answer this question, as well as explain how to identify and get rid of them.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small insects which enter your home undetected, such as through used furniture and even cracks in bank cards. They typically hide in mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards where they can easily bite sleepers in the night. While their bites can be itchy, they are not known to transmit any infectious disease and can typically be treated with over-the-counter medication. Reassuringly, having them in your home is not a sign of poor hygiene and a lack of cleanliness.

Signs of bed bugs

Firstly, it is important to recognise that skin bites are a poor indicator of an infestation, as they can be confused with eczema or a fungal infection – in fact, some people don’t react to bed bug bites at all. If you wake up with itchy bites that weren’t there when you went to bed, however, bugs could be the cause, especially if you have recently purchased a second-hand bed.

Looking for physical signs on the bed itself is a more reliable way for identifying a possible infestation. This is particularly important when changing your bedding or returning from holiday. You should check for:

Reddish stains on your bedding or mattress, caused by bugs being crushed
Dark spots on your bedding, mattress, nightwear and bedroom walls, which could be bug excrement
Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
A pungent, musty smell, which can be produced by bugs’ scent glands

Treating an infestation

If you think you have an infestation, it makes sense to start cleaning those areas where you have spotted possible signs. Make sure you wash and dry your bedding and nightwear on the highest temperature setting.

Scrub the mattress using a brush with firm bristles before vacuuming it, along with the bed frame and surrounding area. After vacuuming, seal the contents of the vacuum bag or drum in a strong bin liner and place outside in the dustbin.

Why not invest in mattress encasement protection to prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping? Keeping it on for at least a year will ensure that all the bugs are dead.

If you are uncertain about whether you have an infestation or how to treat it, seek the advice of a professional exterminator.

Time to change your upholstered bed?

If your current upholstered bed is infested, we would always advise you to buy a new one – just make sure you get rid of the infestation first! Here, at Magna Beds, we have an impressive selection of beds to suit all budgets and comfort needs. Please check out our online store today and shop with confidence.