[Bed bugs attack Hong Kong] 10 tips to completely deal with bed bugs at home | Dissecting the causes and signs of bed bugs | How to deal with lice bites | Travel and home prevention tips

Bed bugs, also known as wood lice/stink bugs, have a flat, oval, brown body. Adult bed bugs are about 4-7mm long, while larvae are even smaller and difficult to see with the naked eye.Bed bugs feed mainly on human bloodWhen the body is full of blood, it turns darker and its size nearly doubles. Bed bugs usually appear at night and move by crawling. Although they cannot fly, they crawl very fast. They often appear in mattresses, sofas, carpets, cloth items, wooden furniture and cracks in walls.

Female bed bugs lay about 3 to 5 eggs per day and about 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime. The larvae will hatch in about 1 week at 18 to 25°C. The larval stage is about 14 to 30 days. The adult lifespan can reach 9 to 18 months and can reproduce 6 to 7 generations per year under suitable conditions.

Generally speaking,MostHomeBed bug cases are mostly brought in from the street, the following 3 situations are high-risk examples of introducing lice into the home:

• Travel luggage or clothing

When traveling, bed bugs that hide on hotel wooden furniture or mattresses attach themselves to luggage or clothing. If you do not clean thoroughly after returning home, bed bugs will successfully enter the house and reproduce. After each trip, you should immediately wash your clothes and suitcases to avoid attracting bed bugs into the house.

• New furniture

When buying wooden furniture, whether it is new or second-hand, there is a chance that bed bugs may be lurking, especially second-hand wooden furniture. Before using, the furniture should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

• Home environment

The living environment in Hong Kong is cramped, especially in subdivided flats and cubicles. If your neighbors have lice infestation, you will not be immune and will be easily invaded by bed bugs.

The first sign of bed bugs wasNew red and swollen bite marks suddenly appear on the body after waking up in the morning, such as arms, palms, soles, face or neck, and the bite marks are itchyThe bite marks of bed bugs are usually in groups of two or three or in a straight line. At this time, you can carefully check the mattress, pillows or bedside for any suspicious black spots or bloodstains. Bed bugs are accustomed to excreting nearby after sucking blood. If you find black spots, there is a chance that they are the excrement of bed bugs, and bloodstains may be yours.Kill the bed bugs while you sleep and leave them there.

9 Popular Hiding Spots for Bed Bugs

• Seams or cushions of fabric sofas and chairs

• Curtain folds

• Drawer gap

• Power socket or electrical appliance

• Gaps where paint is peeling or wallpaper is loose

• Bedding surface

• carpet

• In the luggage compartment

• Headboard

1. Hot water

Bed bugs will die in an environment above 46 degrees. The first step is to wash all clothes, sheets, pillow cases, etc. in hot water immediately. If your washing machine does not have a hot water washing function, you can soak the clothes in hot water or go to a self-service laundry to wash them.DryerTumble dry clothes at high temperature.

2. DE powder

The main raw material of DE powder is diatomaceous earth, which has extremely high hygroscopicity. When bed bugs eat or come into contact with DE powder, the water in their bodies can be drained and they die. DE powder is white powder, non-toxic and has a long shelf life, but be careful not to inhale too much when using it. It is suitable to be placed in hidden places and gaps such as bed frames and wall skirtings.

3. Borates

Borates, also known as natural salt, can destroy the organs of psyllids, causing them to die of thirst and dehydration. Borates purchased on the market are mostly sold in powder form, which needs to be mixed with water and then used in a spray bottle. Borates are suitable for clothing, sheets, quilts, curtains, sundries and other places where DE powder is not suitable.

4. Vacuum cleaner

Using a vacuum cleaner to suck away bed bugs is the simplest method, but it is difficult to eliminate bed bugs by vacuuming alone. It can only be a simple or partial treatment method. If DE powder and natural salt are added to the vacuum cleaner before use, the death rate of bed bugs can be accelerated.

5. Steam

For items such as sofas and mattresses, high-temperature steam machines can be used to kill lice. It is recommended that the steam temperature be at least 80°C, which will have a more obvious effect.

6. Low temperature treatment

Items that cannot be processed at high temperatures can be placed in a sealed plastic bag and placed in a refrigerator (-18 degrees Celsius) for 24 hours.

7. Rubbing alcohol

The effect of external alcohol is similar to DE powder and Tianyanqing. It also works by draining the moisture from the bodies of bed bugs and killing them. Bed bugs hate the smell of alcohol, so it has the effect of repelling bed bugs.

8. Pepper

Every household has pepper powder, which is easy to buy. The smell of pepper powder can also repel bed bugs, and it is more convenient.

9. Sand ginger

Sand ginger is a natural material that can be used by babies, pregnant women and pets at home. It can be bought at herbal medicine stores. Bed bugs are afraid of the smell of sand ginger. Put a small amount of sand ginger in a tea bag or socks and place it in the place where bed bugs are infested to drive away bed bugs.

10. Pest Control Expert

If all of the above methods have not been successful in completely dealing with the bed bug problem, you should seek help from an exterminator.

After being bitten by lice, the skin will become red, swollen and itchy. Generally, it will subside on its own after about a week by washing with clean water or applying ice. However, if you have sensitive skin or the lice bite problem is serious, you may develop symptoms such as rashes.Severe casesIt is recommended to seek medical treatment.

• Travel Lice Prevention

It is recommended to use hard-shell suitcases and sealable plastic bags to store clothes to reduce the chance of bed bugs attaching. After checking into the hotel, you should check the bed frame, mattress, blanket, sofa, cup cabinet, wardrobe, luggage rack and bedside cabinet. Avoid placing luggage on the carpet, but place it in the luggage cabinet or rack. Finally, keep the suitcase closed when not in use.

• Home Lice Prevention

Take off your clothes immediately after returning home, and wash and dry them at the highest possible temperature. Thoroughly check all items that have been used or will enter your home, such as old beds, second-hand furniture, or unwashed old clothes, to see if there are bed bugs or insect eggs. In addition, you should open windows frequently to reduce carbon dioxide in the house and improve air circulation.

Generally speaking,Home InsuranceHome insurance will provide protection for your home's contents, such as damage caused by fire, lightning, hail, windstorms, and even explosions (in some cases). Property or homes that are easily affected by floods and earthquakes should be covered by insurance against these natural disasters. However, according to the terms of home insurance, any bites, scratches, tears or stains caused by any household pets or insects, larvae or any harmful pests are not covered by home insurance, so you should consult your insurance company before purchasing home insurance.Insurance Expert Query.