Frequently Asked Questions

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans (and warm-blooded animals) which they need to survive and reproduce.

Bed bugs can move through passive transport and autonomous motion. In the first case, if you have recently stayed in an accommodation facility such as a hotel or hostel, you should carefully check suitcases, luggage, clothes and personal belongings. Furthermore, in the case of purchasing second-hand furniture - in particular beds, mattresses or sofas - it is essential to inspect them with the utmost care before introducing them into the house. In the second case, bed bugs can move from one room to another in an apartment by crawling (they do not jump or fly) on floors, walls and ceilings, slipping into cracks, crevices and other small spaces.

Bed bugs develop from birth to adulthood in about 6-8 weeks through several stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

With the aid of a flashlight and a magnifying glass, thoroughly inspect all possible hiding places of bed bugs such as mattresses, bed frames and headboards, furniture, baseboards, cracks and crevices in the walls, and personal belongings.

Bed bugs are particularly sensitive to heat (temperatures above 45°C), cold (temperatures below -18°C), intense light (especially direct exposure to sunlight), the smell of mint, eucalyptus, lavender and tea tree oil, some chemicals (such as diatomaceous earth, baking soda and isopropyl alcohol), vibrations and movements.

Bed bugs are nocturnal parasites that leave their hiding places at night to feed on human blood while people sleep.

Bed bug bites can be easily mistaken for those of other insects, but there are some characteristics that can help identify them. Generally, in fact, they appear on the skin of the arms, legs, neck and face with red spots arranged in a row or cluster.

The circumstances that can lead to the death of bed bugs are:

• extreme temperatures (above 45°C or below -18°C);
• lack of food;
• very low humidity or excessively dry environments.

To avoid bed bug infestations, it is necessary to check suitcases, linens, clothing, and garments when returning home from a trip after staying in a room at an accommodation facility. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent infestation by constantly monitoring the spaces and objects where they usually nest, such as beds, mattresses, clothes, personal belongings, suitcases, furniture, sofas, and armchairs.

Bed bugs are oval-shaped insects with flattened backs and bellies, reddish-brown in color, and ranging in size from 1 to 7 millimeters in length and 1 to 4 millimeters in width.

Bed bugs can enter a home if they are carried through clothing, suitcases and bags, especially if you have just returned from a trip with a stay in accommodation. Furthermore, they can easily enter a room from any opening, such as cracks in the walls, cracks in the floors or spaces between the windows.

Bed bugs are resilient insects, but they cannot survive extreme temperatures: above 45°C and below -18°C are lethal to these parasites.

Bed bug eggs are small (about 1 mm long), oval-shaped, pearly white or yellowish in color, and not easily visible to the naked eye.

Bed bugs are hematophagous parasitic insects, meaning they feed exclusively on blood, preferably human, but if necessary, they can also feed on that of warm-blooded animals (dogs, cats, or rodents).

The consequences of bed bug bites can vary from person to person: some may have no reaction at all, while others may develop more noticeable symptoms, immediately or in the following hours, such as intense itching, red spots often arranged in a line or cluster, swelling and, in the most severe cases, allergic reactions such as extensive rashes, blisters or hives.

Nothing in particular, only in rare cases some predisposed individuals may experience an allergic reaction to contact with bed bugs, with symptoms such as itching, redness or swelling of the skin.

Adult bed bugs can survive without feeding for a very long time, from a few months up to a year, making their detection even more difficult.

Bed bugs are attracted to the smell and warmth of the body and the carbon dioxide released by humans, especially during sleep at night

The most common "clues" that indicate a bed bug infestation in a room are:

• bites on the skin, particularly on the arms, legs, neck, and face;
• blood stains on pajamas, sheets, or mattresses;
• fecal stains on the skin, sheets, and mattress seams;
• presence of eggs, particularly on mattress seams;
• presence of exuviae, or the exoskeletons abandoned by bed bugs after molting;
• sweetish and unpleasant odor perceived in the room.

• Washing and drying at high temperature: washing clothes in the washing machine at a temperature of at least 60°C (140°F) will eliminate both adult bed bugs and their eggs; drying them in the dryer at a high temperature for at least 30 minutes will ensure the definitive elimination of all bed bugs.
• Steam generator: you can use the steam that will kill the bedbugs on the entire surface, including folds and seams, of clothes that cannot be washed.
• Vacuum cleaner: vacuum with particular attention to seams, folds, immediately dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag to prevent the bed bugs from spreading elsewhere.

Bed bugs lay their eggs in several places, particularly:

• baseboards;
• cracks and crevices in walls;
• mattresses and beds;
• furniture;
• bedding;
• personal belongings.

During the day, bed bugs prefer to hide in:

• mattress seams and edges;
• wooden slats and box spring coils;
• pillows;
• bed cracks and crevices;
• bed frames;
• headboards;
• nightstands;
• sofas and armchairs;
• furniture;
• paintings;
• rugs and carpets;
• upholstery and wallpaper;
• electrical outlets and switches;
• door and window frames;
• baseboards;
• cracks in the walls;
• any other dimly lit and sheltered environment.

To prevent infection, avoid scratching and wash the affected area with lukewarm water and mild soap. To relieve itching and reduce swelling, cold compresses are recommended, or, in more painful cases, the application of an over-the-counter antihistamine cream or a cortisone cream.

Bed bugs are not considered vectors of infectious diseases, unlike mosquitoes or ticks, they do not transmit pathogens through their bite.

Once bed bug eggs are detected, they can be eliminated by vacuuming, steam treatment, washing and drying at high temperatures (at least 60°C), freezing, and the use of insecticides.