Cimex lectularius
Color: Reddish Brown
Size: Between 4-7mm
Shape: It has a flat oval body. After feeding it becomes round.
Diet: They feed on the blood of humans and warm-blooded animals. They feed at 5-10 day intervals.
Behavior: They are usually active at night.
Habitat: They are active all over the world.
Because bed bugs feed on blood, they are found in areas where humans and warm-blooded animals are present. As people and animals travel, bed bugs travel with them. They can be easily transported with all items such as clothes, furniture, suitcases, covers, etc. When bed bugs reach the new area, they settle in the cracks, wall cracks, furniture, bed connection points, etc. in this area. They tend to multiply very quickly and early intervention is necessary.
Bites: Since they feed on human blood, the bite site causes small itchy bumps.
Allergies: Some people may have an allergic reaction to bites.
Infection: Due to the severe itching of the bites, there is a possibility of skin sores and infection.
Anxiety: This creature, which is active at night, can disrupt people’s sleep patterns.
Although it does not have the potential to carry and spread disease at epidemic levels, it is a species that affects people physically and emotionally.
Bites on your skin are the main indicators of infestation. They resemble mosquito bites but are more persistent.
Adult bed bugs are visible to the eye. Feces can be seen on sheets, furniture, cracks in walls, etc. This feces can also be dried blood. Bed bugs shed their skin as they develop. Their old skin is visible around their nests. You may also see eggshells when you check areas where they may nest. They cause a musty odor. These signs can be signs of infestation. If you see any of these, professional support should be sought quickly.
Bedbug bites usually appear as small, red, itchy bumps. Bedbugs bite on exposed parts of the body, usually at night.
✅ Small, red or pink swelling
✅ Bites may appear in a straight line or in groups
✅ Irritation due to itching on sensitive skin
✅ Slight swelling around the bite
How to recognize a bedbug bite?
Bedbug bites can be confused with mosquito or flea bites, but their most distinctive characteristic is that they are sequential bites. If you wake up in the morning and have the above-mentioned rashes on your body, you should check for bed bugs.
Important!!!
Some people may notice bedbug bites late or not at all. But if you are constantly experiencing problems such as itching, rashes and allergic reactions, you should definitely get checked.
Chemical methods are a quick and effective way to eradicate bedbugs. However, it is very important to use the right chemicals and safety precautions;
Insecticides (Pesticides)
🔹 Pyrethroid and Pyrethrin Drugs: The most widely used bedbug medication. They kill by damaging their nervous system. However, many species of bedbugs have managed to develop resistance to the chemicals used.
🔹 Neonicotinoid-based Insecticides: Chemicals used to kill bedbugs resistant to pyrethroids. They kill bedbugs by damaging their nervous system.
🔹 Desiccants (Drying Chemicals): Causes bedbugs to lose water by breaking down their exoskeleton.
🔹 IGR (Insect Growth Regulators): Inhibit the growth of bedbugs, preventing their reproduction and development. It should be used to control the population.
Professional Disinfestation Services
In case of intense bedbug infestations, the support of professional extermination companies is required. They can destroy bedbugs using techniques such as heat treatment, steam method and fogging techniques.
Heat Treatment
It is an effective solution to kill bedbugs without using chemicals. Temperatures of 60°C and above can kill bedbugs and their eggs. Only professionals should carry out this management.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
On contact, it damages the exoskeleton of bedbugs, causing dehydration and killing them by drying.
Application: It should be sprinkled on the edges of beds, between plinths, near sockets, in wardrobes and in all areas where bedbugs can nest.
Steam Cleaning
Hot steam over 100°C kills bedbugs and their eggs.
Areas such as carpets, beds, box springs and between furniture can be steam cleaned.
Essential Oils and Natural Repellents
Some natural oils can repel bedbugs from the area.
🟢 Tea Tree Oil – It has antibacterial and insect repellent properties.
🟢 Lavender Oil – They don’t like the smell of lavender and will move away.
🟢 Peppermint Oil – Insects are repelled by its pungent odor.
Baking Soda and Salt
Baking soda erodes the exoskeleton, causing dehydration.
Salt can be sprinkled to keep bedbugs away from the bed as it restricts their range of movement.
Bed Cleaning and Hygiene
Bed linen should be washed at 60°C and dried at high temperature.
Headboards, plinth edges and furniture should be wiped with alcohol or white vinegar.