What are bugs afraid of?

Bugs are one of the oldest and most resistant parasitic insect species, with a developmental cycle from egg to insect. The eggs are similar to a grain of rice, about 1mm in size and 0.5mm wide, and are often found in beds and other soft furnishings, but can also be found in cracks, crevices in bed frames, floors, carpets, behind splints, and in shelving. The hatched larvae become nymphs within 2-4s, which also feed on blood, and within a few weeks the nymph becomes an adult 5-7mm long, oval-shaped, brown or dark brown, resembling a mite.

In this short post, we will look at what bugs are afraid of and how to successfully prevent their spread. To eradicate bugs effectively and quickly, you need to pay attention to the development cycle and try to prevent each stage of development.

HOW TO IDENTIFY BUGS?

If the insects themselves are not visible, their presence can be betrayed not only by the eggs, but also by faeces, small, dark grains, reddish-brown in colour – digested blood. Bug bites are also common, often biting in one place, with bite marks looking like rashes, red spots that have merged into each other.

These blood-sucking insects are quite resistant to most household exterminators, as they are able to adapt to the harshest conditions, making them less susceptible to simple exterminators, and they can survive for a long time (up to a year) without food, so attempts to starve them to death will not be effective.

However, it is possible to try to eradicate these bloodsuckers on your own with household remedies, some of which may be effective. Here are some folk remedies.

WHAT ARE BUGS AFRAID OF?

Here are the most popular and effective ways that people have tried and tested to combat bed bugs and answer the question: what are bed bugs afraid of?

1. Water + vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a container. Pour the solution into a water sprayer and spray the areas where you have noticed bugs.
2. Diatomic vomit. It can be said without doubt that diatomaceous earth, otherwise known as silica, is the most effective folk remedy against bugs, as it not only repels the insects but can actually kill them. Diatomaceous earth damages the outer exoskeleton of insects by making it permeable, which dehydrates them. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth thinly in areas where bugs hide – under mattresses, bed frames, along skirting boards, in furniture seams, carpet edges and other hard-to-reach places. Use a brush or a vacuum cleaner to distribute the powder evenly. However, it does not kill eggs either.
3. Wormwood. It has a strong scent that acts as a natural repellent for insects, including bugs. This smell may be unpleasant to bugs, which may temporarily withdraw from the treated area. Prepare a highly concentrated wormwood solution to use on furniture, floors, and all cracks. Wormwood is more effective than, say, a vinegar solution because it retains a longer-lasting smell, but remember that it is designed to drive away the bugs, but it does not kill the bugs themselves or the eggs.
4. Disconnecting the heat. Bugs are looking for warmer places to lay their eggs and to stay after moulting, so if you have the opportunity to leave your home, you should disconnect the heating and put a small heat source in the middle of the room, so that the bugs will move towards the heat and can be collected and disposed of.
5. Hot steam. Soft whites can be treated using hot steam, which will kill not only the bugs but also their eggs.
6. Ammonia + turpentine (5:1 ratio). Mix these two chemicals and use a syringe or spray to disinfect all the cracks and cavities in the room.
7. As soon as you notice signs of bugs, you should immediately wash all the clothes you have worn in the last few weeks. The washing temperature should be at least 60 degrees for at least one hour.
8. You will also find useful tips in our next article “Home Bug Control”.

The treatment should be applied at least twice, and after the first treatment of infested areas, the treatment should be repeated after 7-10 d to kill any newly hatched larvae and nymphs. Such folk remedies may be effective in smaller premises or when signs of the presence of bugs are still present at an early stage.

IS IT WORTH GOING TO A PROFESSIONAL?

Often, bed bugs take up residence in beds, old mattresses or armchairs and hide for days at a depth of 3-6cm. In this case, the furniture must be thrown away, as it is impossible to eradicate bugs in such places, as the extremely thick and resistant protective layer means that the chemical must be in direct contact with the insect in order to kill it.

We hope we’ve answered your question: what are bugs afraid of? However, if you have been trying unsuccessfully to fight them for more than a couple of weeks, it is recommended that you contact a professional who will select the right chemicals to kill them. Exterminating bugs is the most difficult process compared to the others, as the bug is the most resistant of all pests and even professionals go to the same apartment at least several times to exterminate.