Beware the Bedbugs.

  As you know, I live in a small Alaskan village. Unfortunately, we have regular outbreaks of bedbugs where they are found just about everywhere including the school. 

They are brought into the school by visiting students who bring them in their bedding from home or they catch a ride on a sock from an infested house.  One teacher even found a couple walking on the carpet in her room.

The reason I mention bedbugs is that they can suddenly appear without anyone realizing they have arrived.  I know because one of the other teachers in the high school took a day off to totally clean out the infestation.

I looked the topic up because I have some grand cracks in my house that could allow bedbugs to invade or they could come home on my socks or pants after I visit someone.  I don't have them yet but that doesn't mean they will stay away. 

One of the first signs is when you find bites on your body because they tend to hid in the bed under the mattress pads or sheets but that is not the only place they could be.  They can be found in books, furniture, or just about anywhere in the house.

They are most likely to feed at night and they go for as much exposed skin as they can on the face, neck, arms, or hands.  Because bedbugs are parasitic, they feed on blood and prefer human blood.  The problem with bedbug bites is they are often mistaken as a rash, or other type of bite.  There might be a bit of itching but in general bedbug bites do not need treatment.

Although you might see hints you have bedbugs, the only way to know for sure is to observe an actual bedbug.  They love temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees when they undergo rapid growth into adulthood and under such circumstances, they can produce 3 generations a year.

Furthermore, you can have a perfectly clean house and still have bedbugs although they are more likely to spread in crowded houses.  They can be difficult to get rid of bedbugs. It is recommended you have pest control come in and spray for it.  Just know they can survive up to one year without eating.  It is possible to use sprays, dust, or aerosols designed to kill bedbugs but they must be applied to every place they might hide.

Now I know what they mean by "Don't let the bedbugs bite!"  Let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear if you've had experience with bedbugs and how you get rid of them.