It's commonly believed that bedbugs, fleas, and cockroaches are a thing of the past, and that these pests can only appear in very dirty apartments. While this is often true, even the most meticulous people can encounter strange marks on their bodies and bites while sleeping.
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Bed bugs
Bed fleas, as their name suggests, live in and are primarily active in the sleeping areas of humans. It's logical to assume they are a distinct species of flea, but due to their similar appearance, several species have come to be called bed fleas: dog fleas, cat fleas, human fleas, and rat fleas. Bed fleas themselves don't exist, but in this article, fleas that inhabit beds will be referred to as bed fleas.
Many species of fleas are very similar in appearance, but their size (two to three millimeters in length) makes it nearly impossible to examine an insect in the palm of your hand. Therefore, classifying apartment fleas by species is not only extremely difficult but also pointless.
Flea on the skin
As you can see in the photo, a flea is a small, wingless insect. Also note its legs, which are well adapted for jumping.
Flea habitats
Many people mistakenly believe that there's a separate species (or several species) of fleas that prefer to live on beds, in bed linens, and in fabrics in general. In fact, fleas prefer dark, dirty corners, and the presence or absence of fabric isn't a deciding factor. If a closet or under a bed has accumulated a lot of trash, fleas may well be living there. Fleas may also visit beds solely in search of food, which explains why it's often impossible to find these pests after dawn—they scatter to the places where they feel most comfortable. Then, at night, searching for food, the insect returns to humans.
Causes and ways of bed bugs appearing in the home
This section of the article has a rather cumbersome title for a reason. The fact is that most apartments these days are clean enough to give fleas no chance to thrive, but just one relatively dirty apartment can cause a disaster for the entire building. It's worth noting that insects can find water in one apartment, for example, and food in another, then a third, and so on.
Ways fleas appear
The first option is pets. Perhaps the most vulnerable to flea infestations are cat and dog owners who let their pets out for long periods of time. While there are treatments for pets, their effectiveness is relatively limited.
The second option is rodents. The situation here is similar to that with pets, only far more dangerous. Rodents can not only bring fleas into your apartment but also create favorable living conditions for them, choosing to build a nest somewhere in the far corner of a closet or under a bed.
The third way is from another room. This could be the entryway or a neighbor's apartment, but that's not so important. What's more important is the fact that somewhere within the building, something has caused a mass migration of insects. This could be work in the basement or an overpopulation of bed bugs in one of the neighboring apartments. In this case, control may be ineffective, as the insects will constantly arrive.
Causes of fleas
The main cause is dampness in the home. Fleas, being extremely resilient insects, cannot tolerate a simple lack of water. Therefore, the most favorable places for fleas to live are basements and bathrooms. This is why it is important to prevent leaks in the water pipes in the apartment. Unfortunately, with pipes in the basement, things are much more complicated.
Clutter. Fleas are excellent at finding food where it seems there isn't any. An invisible crumb of bread or a piece of skin—which makes up a significant percentage of dust—will become good food not only for fleas but also for cockroaches.
Detecting bed bugs
- Red or pink spots (sometimes look like pimples) are flea bites;
- pet anxiety;
- white insects on the surface of the bed.
How to identify a flea bite
Typically, a flea bite looks like a regular pimple, but with a spot in the center. The size of the spot and the redness itself can vary.
What do they look like?
The first thing that distinguishes a flea bite from a pimple is intense itching. The bite may also bleed for a while. If the bite is indeed a flea bite, there will likely be more than one, but most of them will be on the lower body, as fleas often live in carpet fibers and are drawn to the body from there.
The bite becomes more problematic in cases where you have an allergy to flea bites, you scratched the bite site, or the insect was a carrier of some disease.
The danger of fleas
A flea bite itself is not capable of causing significant blood loss, for example, however, there are several factors that make a bite from these insects dangerous:
- Allergic reaction to a bite;
- inflammation of the bite;
- diseases carried by fleas.
Allergy
An allergy to insect bites can manifest itself as a rash at the bite site, as well as fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes, an allergy to an enzyme in insect saliva that prevents blood clotting can lead to anaphylactic shock, which is dangerous.
As a rule, children under twelve years of age are particularly sensitive to bites.
Inflammation
Typically, inflammation occurs on scratched bites and is characterized by swelling and redness of the skin in the area of the bite.
Severe inflammation in the bite area
An inflamed bite may itch more than a “calm” one.
Diseases carried by fleas
According to research, fleas can carry more than two hundred diseases, many of which are life-threatening.
- Brucellosis;
- hepatitis (B, C, etc.);
- tularemia;
- encephalitis;
- trypanosomiasis;
- typhus;
- bubonic plague.
How to treat flea bites
The first thing to do is rinse the bite site with warm water, then treat it with chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol to reduce the risk of infection. Next, it's recommended to apply an ice pack to the bite site for five to ten minutes to reduce swelling. Boro-Plus cream can also be used to relieve inflammation and irritation. Levomekol is also suitable for any abscesses.
As a last resort, you can use hydrocortisone ointment to reduce the itching from the bites. It is a potent hormonal medication.
If an allergic reaction occurs, you should consult a doctor. Unfortunately, it's impossible to determine the correct dosage of the medication on your own. Antihistamines—substances that inhibit the action of free histamine—are commonly used.
How to get rid of bed bugs
Although bedbugs are not common these days, they can still cause a lot of trouble for any home where they infest. Below, we'll discuss how to combat these insects, including chemical and folk remedies, as well as preventative measures.
Chemicals
Main types:
- Sprays and aerosols are products that deliver the active ingredient through the air. They are characterized by a rapid onset of action and moderate effectiveness.
- Chalks. As the name suggests, these are chalk-shaped products. They are most often applied to areas where insects travel. They are highly safe and are often used when the majority of the insect population has been eradicated.
- Powder form. The main advantage of the powder form is that it can be used while living in the apartment, as poisoning is impossible without direct contact with the powder. You can simply leave the powder somewhere under the bed without fear of poisoning, but it's best to relocate pets for a few days. Powders generally remain effective for several days. The main drawback is that they cannot be applied to vertical surfaces.
- Liquid form. Liquid form is a concentrated flea poison that must be diluted in water before use, according to the instructions. Liquid form is generally the most effective, but also the most dangerous.
How popular are the representatives of these species:
Sinuzan.
Canister with the product
Sinuzan is a product containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos, which acts through contact and stomach action. When applied to fleas, chlorpyrifos paralyzes the insect. It also affects egg clutches, making it one of the most effective of its peers.
Sinuzan's main advantages are its long-lasting action (up to four months), low price, and powerful effectiveness. It's also suitable for treating large spaces, making it a popular pest control product for large companies.
The main disadvantages of the product are largely similar to its advantages. The duration and strength of action are a problem for those who cannot leave their apartment for long periods of time. Furthermore, the product's odor can linger on clothing and upholstered furniture, so (ideally) it should be treated in nearly empty rooms and left that way for a long time.
Monitor lizard.
Varan Spray
Varan is a classic insect repellent spray. It's odorless, requires no preparation, and is easy to use. It gets rid of insects in hard-to-reach places, leaves no residue, and is non-addictive.
Varan's active ingredients are dimethyl dichlorovinyl phosphate, tetramethrin, and cypermethrin. The first has a detrimental effect on the insect's nervous system; the second and third paralyze the insects.
Chalk Mashenka.
Chalk and packaging
The active ingredients of the chalk are zeta-cypermethrin and deltamethrin. These two insecticides have a similar mechanism of action and complement each other. They act on the nervous system, inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses.
Folk remedies
- Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is made from chamomile flowers to combat insects. It can't be considered a folk remedy, nor can it be considered a chemical one. Its main advantage is its complete harmlessness to humans and its environmental friendliness.
Pyrethrum packet
- Tar soap. Simply dissolve a finely ground bar of soap in water and use for wet cleaning.
Regular tar soap
- Boric acid. Boric acid is deadly to fleas and can therefore be used as a poison.
Sachets of boric acid
- Baking soda and salt. Mix baking soda and salt to create a mixture that can be sprinkled on areas where fleas are most common. Let the mixture sit for ten to twelve hours, then vacuum it up.
Disinsection
Disinfestation is a procedure for eliminating parasitic insects using specialized products. It's best to entrust disinfestation to professionals who have access to high-quality, expensive personal protective equipment and treatments. Furthermore, professional exterminators can more safely use more powerful pest control products.
A pest control specialist in a protective suit
Flea treatment is usually carried out throughout the entire apartment, not just in the areas where the insects were previously found. This is because multiple egg clutches may still be present in the room, which must also be destroyed.
Preventing bed bugs
We've described many of the consequences of fleas in an apartment, as well as ways to get rid of them. It's probably much easier to prevent fleas from appearing in your home than to deal with them later. And preventative measures are simple.
The main mistake is overestimating the importance of tidiness in the home. It's commonly believed that these insects can only appear in dirty apartments, but in reality, even mild dampness is enough to provide a favorable breeding ground for fleas. Then come piles of dust on shelves, crumpled items, and so on. Pets are an equally important factor, as they are a significant source of fleas.
The apartment needs to be cleaned, and animals need to be given special collars or products.
Fleas are a problem of the distant past, as it may seem at first glance. However, even residents of clean apartments and modern homes often experience the unpleasant sensation of crawling and bites while sleeping, and in the morning, they discover strange marks on their bodies. It's much easier to prevent these insects from appearing in your home than to deal with the consequences of their uncontrolled proliferation for months.
