A bed bug is a blood-feeding ectoparasite, which means its only source of food is our blood, according to Kenneth Haynes, a professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky who specializes in bed bug biology.
Because of their need for our blood, bed bugs are frequently found where their name suggests: in our beds. “They like to live near the host, which means in our bedrooms, near our beds—as close to where we sleep as possible,” Haynes says.
However, another difficult aspect of discovering a bed bug infestation is that bed bugs will remain hidden until nighttime, using a chemical signal to aggregate together in cracks, crevices, or other dark spaces, says Haynes.
Then, in the middle of the night, between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., our body odor, body heat, and the carbon dioxide we emit stimulate the bugs to approach us for feeding. “Once they find us, they stick their soda straw-like mouth part directly into a blood capillary and tap into their food,” Haynes explains.

Here is how to get rid of bed bugs with home remedies:
Vacuum cleaner
Suck the bugs up with a powerful vacuum cleaner and hose attachment. While fighting an infestation, you should probably vacuum every few days. Vacuum the mattress, bedding, and soft furniture, such as sofas and cushy chairs, thoroughly.
Begin on higher ground and work your way down, paying special attention to the carpet, floors, and any cracks in the walls or floorboards. Examine electrical devices such as fans and even your laptop for signs of an infestation. When you’re finished vacuuming, dispose of the vacuum bag as far away from your house as possible.
Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is an option for areas where the vacuum cannot reach. Heat kills bedbugs and eggs, and they will die if exposed to temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid damaging your furniture, carefully follow the steam cleaner’s instructions.
Laundry of all clothes and bedding
The silica gel
Insects may be killed by the small packets found in food products and shoe boxes to keep the contents dry. To use, grind the beads and distribute the powder around the source areas. If you have children or pets, you should avoid this technique because direct exposure and silica inhalation is hazardous. Rather, use baking soda, which has a similar effect.
Using alcohol
Fill a spray bottle halfway with it and spritz away. On contact, the alcohol kills bugs.
The hair dryer
Stiff brush
Brush the mattress seams with a stiff brush. This will dislodge any clinging bed bugs and eggs that are resistant to vacuum cleaner.
Double-sided tape
Baking soda
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
This product works wonders against all kinds of bugs, including fleas. It’s made of natural sedimentary rock that’s been crumbled into a fine powder. Spread it all over the floor and in cracks and crevices to get the best results. This can take up to 10 days to work, but the fine powder has tiny shards that kill insects.
As tempting as it may sound, It’s not recommended to put in on your mattress. The reason for this is that even though the shards are microscopic, they can enter your lungs and cause damage.
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