Do you have bed bugs living in your bed?
Contrary to their name, bed bugs don’t just live in your bed. They also like to hang out in those difficult to reach places, such as skirting boards, behind peeling wallpaper, in light switches and under carpets. They are sometimes lured to our beds as they are attracted to our breath and our warmth, making a bedroom the ideal habitat.
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Cases on the rise
Research by Rentokil has shown that cases of these bed bugs in Singapore are on the rise. From 2009 to 2012 the cases in Singapore nearly doubled. Another survey showed that in 2011, there were nearly 500 extermination cases, up 60% from 2006.
This infographic explains all you need to know about bed bugs
Exterminate!
Although these statistics may cause alarm, there are various things you can do at home to stop these creepy crawlies from bugging you.
Despite their tiny size, bed bugs can be visible to the naked eye.
Check the nooks and crannies around your house, especially those difficult to reach places previously mentioned. Try sealing up any broken plaster, cracks in the wall and peeling wallpaper.
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Household tasks, such as washing bed sheets and vacuuming, should be done more frequently and more thoroughly if you’re worried about infestations. Often bed bugs from infested hotels will cling to your clothes and travel home with you. After staying in a hotel, make sure that your clothes are washed with hot water. Insecticides can also be used carefully to get rid of this nuisance.
Do you have remedies for getting rid of bed bugs? Tell us! We’d love to hear from you.
Check out this extreme infestation of bed bugs!
