Fact Checked
Bedbug bites can occur among children. Bedbugs are small-sized insects that feed on human blood by biting on the skin. These insects are active between 2-5 AM and can survive without feeding for up to 6 months. Bedbug bites can trigger itchiness and not known to spread any diseases.
What are the indications of bedbug bites?
The bedbug bites often manifest in a row on parts of the skin that are exposed during night time.
- The bedbug bites cause a rash that usually have a red-colored dot where the bite occurred in the center of an elevated reddened bump.
- The bites are likely to occur on the neck, face, hands and arms.
The bedbug bites cause a rash that usually have a red-colored dot where the bite occurred in the center of an elevated reddened bump. - Check for dots of blood or rust-colored spots from crumpled bugs or dung spots that are pinpoint sizes on the bed sheets and mattresses or at the back of loose wallpaper.
- Check for any reddish/brown live bedbugs in crevices or seams of bedding.
Controlling bedbugs
- Try to minimize clutter and limit items that travel back and forth between the house and school.
- All cracks must be sealed and clean up any bedbug debris using water and detergent.
- Bedding and clothing must be washed using hot water with a hot drying cycle for 30-60 minutes.
- Vacuum all cracks and crevices in furniture, walls, equipment and floors. The vacuum cleaner filter and bags must be disposed in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
- Utilize covers for the mattress, box spring and pillows to snare bedbugs. These covers are readily available in the market.
- Professional extermination involves vacuuming with the application of the least toxic products, freezing all infested articles, heating the living area to 50 degrees C up to 90 minutes or using synthetic chemical insecticides.