Good Night…don’t let the BED BUGS bite!

“How do bedbugs get into my house in the first place?” you may wonder, well, here’s how the pesky bloodsuckers hitch a ride into your humble abode:

• They can hide on your luggage;
• Clothes;
• or come along with that “bargain” you pick at an insanely reasonable price from a second-hand dealer (i.e. beds, couches and so forth).

Because they have flattened bodies they can easily hide in tiny spaces. Although they do not have nests like ants or bees, they tend to live in groups, even in your headboards or bed frames where they have easy access to people to bite at night. Bedbugs are mainly active at night and can keep you from your precious beauty sleep with their rapacious appetites as they feed for between three and 10 minutes before crawling away for a nice nap while they leave you sleepless and itching all over.

If you suspect you have a bedbug infestation, here are a few dead giveaways that these pesky critters have settled in:

• You will find dark and crusty spots on your sheets, mattresses, and even your walls;
• There will be small bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases;
• You will notice a musty odour which is secreted by the bedbugs’ scent glands;
• and you will notice egg shells or shed skins in places where they hide.

But what do I do to get rid of these unwanted bed mates, you may ask? Well, the first step is to remove all bedding and check it carefully for any signs of the bugs or their excrement. You can also remove the dust cover over the bottom of your bed’s box springs and examine the seams of the framing for any sign of the bugs.

It is also advisable to check the area around the bed for signs of bedbugs, even inside books, telephones, radios or electrical outlets.

To get rid of bedbugs you need to clear up infested areas by either calling an exterminator or treating the areas yourself with insecticides. However, keep in mind that treating your bed and bedroom with insecticides can be harmful, so make sure you use products which can be safely used in bedrooms. Carefully read the warming label and only use products with a label which specifically states that it can be used on bedding.

To keep your home bug free, using a mattress protector from The Mattress Warehouse is one of your safest bets.

GROWING CUSTOMER HEALTH AWARENESS

The success of Protect-A-Bed® with consumers is largely based on the increased demand for comfort and hygienic protection. As awareness of the sleep environment grows, consumers have become convinced of the importance to protect themselves against dust mites and other invasive allergens. Furthermore, end users have recognized that mattresses represent a considerable investment and therefore are worthy of protection against spills and early deterioration.

The Mattress Warehouse has a range of mattress protectors. Click on the following link to view:

https://www.themattresswarehouse.co.za/product-category/accessories/mattress-protectors/