If you are this lucky, take a picture of the bed bug and compare it to these pictures:

By Chantal Locke

1) The first step is to try your best not to scratch or itch the bites. Doing so could break the skin and cause infections.

2) To stop the itch use Calamine Lotion or an Anesthetic Cream.

3) Clean your bites by washing them in anti-bacterial soap and water.

4) Put ice on the bites to reduce inflammation.

5) If the bites do not go away or an infection occurs please see a physician.

By Chantal Locke

Always be proactive about bed bugs when traveling or moving, bed bugs are in alot more places than you would think. Check out the website and stay informed!

By Chantal Locke

There are recent reports that bed bugs have started showing up again at the provincial court at Atlantic Place in St. John’s. Chief Judge Mark Pike has stated that after an inspection that was done this past Thursday, they have found there to be traces of bed bugs in four rooms in the building. All of which were found on chairs inside the rooms.

After further investigating this issue, an employee reported a pest control company had found bed bugs in the couch of his home.

The provincial court is set to be fumigated this weekend to rectify their bed bug issues.

It was also reported that a crown attorney had refused to go to work on Thursday because of the bed bug infestation. He was later talked into attending work by management.

It really goes to show you that bed bugs can turn up anywhere. It is always good to stay on top of bed bugs and become educated about them. Knowing what to look for can help prevent and diagnose any bed bug infestations.

By Chantal Locke

• Wash your bedding on a regular basis. By washing everything on your bed – pillows, sheets, and blankets, once or twice a week on a hot wash cycle, you can stop bed bug infestations from getting out of control. The hot water will kill off any niggling creatures, leaving your bedding bug and bite free.

• Consider purchasing white bedding to help you detect any future outbreaks of bed bugs. Since bed bugs are a light brown color and hard to see with the naked eye, white bedding can help you spot them more easily. Discovering an outbreak soon after it happens will make getting rid of them a much easier task.

• Purchase bed bug proof encasements for your pillows an mattress from a highly rated company. These encasements are manufactured just to keep bed bugs out of your bed and your life, and are one of the best preventative measures you can take.

• Take proper precautions when traveling to make sure you don’t bring bed bugs home with you. Check the mattress at the hotel you stay at before you lay on it, and make sure it is free from bed bugs and debris, and keep your clothes and suitcase off the bed for best protection.

By Chantal Locke

One of the most common misconceptions is that bed bugs come from dirty houses. This is in fact a misconception because bed bugs are found in ALL residences. This is simply because of the nature of them. They are small insects that are very hard to spot and extremely easy to transport without knowing.

Imagine this, you have a friend come over who was just staying in a hotel that was infested with bed bugs. Some bed bugs managed to sneak into her purse. Your friend, unknowingly just brought bed bugs to your house. See how easy it is?

The reason why I am trying to give so much perspective is because understanding that bed bugs are not attracted to dirty houses is very important. You should never simply move out of your house because you get bed bugs. The advice I can give you is that your landlord is obligated to maintain a clean and habitable residence for their tenants. That typically means calling in the Exterminators to rectify your bed bug problem. In addition, they should cover all expenses that occur with the Extermination. It is up to you to religiously follow all protocols the Exterminators give you to ensure the bed bugs do not come back.

Realistically bed bugs are an epidemic. Taking that into account and understanding that anyone can get them is key. Having a positive approach to fighting them and working with your landlord will help make your life easier. Don’t blame your landlord or point the finger. Just simply look at how you can get rid of the critters.  Although it will be very stressful, try to think about the big picture – you want your house bug free – as fast as possible and with as least amount of work as possible, so don’t point fingers and have a proactive approach.

Fleas – Tiny little brownish-red insects that travel on humans and pets and feed of the blood of their host.

Masked Hunter -  A large bug brown in color that will usually eat smaller insects such as bed bugs but will bite humans as well.

Conenose – Rather large insect with a dark brown color. These bugs fly and feed of any host’s blood. They are known to spread disease.

1) Cut your mattress up when you put it outside and make sure it is not in any useable condition to prevent someone from picking it up.

2) Make sure to discourage to someone from salvaging a used mattress if you find out about it.

3) Point people at really cheap discount factory mattress retailers. Mattresses can be very cheap if you buy them at the right place.

4) Let friends and family know that buying a mattress second hand is NOT an option.

Help stop the spread of bed bugs and NEVER take in a used mattress!