“Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” This adorable little nursery rhyme is used by many parents as part of a tuck-in routine for their children—it was never meant as an actual warning. If the image of these nasty nocturnal nuisances crawling all over your newborn baby is freaking you out, here are some handy tips on how to deal with bed bugs in cribs.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They hide in mattresses, bedding, and box springs, as well as
furniture, wall crevices, and rugs. Bed bug infestations are extremely common and can be found almost anywhere, from upscale homes to homeless shelters and many public buildings, including hotels, shopping centres, and schools.
What are the signs of bed bugs in cribs?
Insect bites are normally one of the first signs of bed bugs in cribs. Bed bug bites appear in clusters or a line formation and can be found on the exposed parts of your newborn’s body—arms, legs, chest, and face.
If you are worried about any red bumps on your infant, you’ll want to do a thorough inspection of their room. Check your baby’s crib, carefully examining the bedding and mattress. Also, look for insect droppings, crushed bugs, or blood stains on the sheets and mattress.
Can bed bug bites harm my baby?
The good news is that bed bug bites don’t cause disease, but they can get itchy and extremely uncomfortable for your baby. And if your infant vigorously scratches the area and breaks the skin, they could be at risk for bacterial infection. So, make sure to keep your baby’s nails trimmed short.
How do I treat bed bug bites?
If your baby has been bitten by bed bugs, clean the area with soapy water. Calamine lotion or aloe vera are also good at helping to reduce itchiness. If the skin has been broken, you’ll want to bring your infant to a pediatrician to get some prescription cream.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
Bed bugs are hard to track down, and even harder to get rid of. It is going to take some diligence on your part to effectively remove these elusive insects from your baby’s room. Here are some bug-busting methods to help keep pests away from your bundle of joy.
- Wash your infant’s clothes and bedding in hot water and dry
them at the highest setting. - Scrub furniture to remove eggs
- Vacuum the nursery
- Wash the curtains in the nursery every week
- Get rid of rugs in your baby’s room
- Inspect the baby’s room for any signs of bed bugs (blood or fecal
stains, translucent shells, eggs, and dead insects) - Regularly clean your infant’s crib
** The pest control pros recommend inspecting the crib frame for signs of droppings, specifically the darker, areas that are not painted or stained, as bed bugs are attracted to dark and need texture for a grip. They usually don’t pick the mattress for their harbourage areas in cribs. Additionally, the uses of small traps can be placed under the legs can prevent infestation from occurring and give piece of mind at the same time.
If your bed bug infestation is too much to handle on your own, it is always a good idea to have a licensed pest control provider inspect and destroy bed bugs.
As a new parent, the thought of any harm coming to your little one is enough to keep you up at night. So, don’t let you and your precious baby become a bed-bug buffet. Taking a proactive approach to pest control will help keep you and your family safe from these nasty insects.
For fast and effective bed bug removal, contact Solutions Pest Control today!