You wake up in the morning with itchy skin and red bumps. This time, however, it’s not mosquitoes to blame, but another blood-sucking parasite—the bed bug. This tiny insect, measuring up to 5 millimeters, has plagued many a household. It’s not exactly
easy to tell that they’ve just moved in. You and your doctor might easily mistake the bumps for hives. Plus, this small, flat bug is only active at night. Early detection is the key to success. The bites themselves can be a clue. Bed bugs tend to bite in several spots close together. Do you have three or more bites in a small area of skin? Look under the mattress or behind the bed. If you find a cluster of black dots in one of these places—which are bed bug droppings—you’ve got a problem on your hands. Getting rid of this parasite is often a nearly impossible task.
 
You can’t understand how they could have gotten there when you take such good care of your home. But bed bugs aren’t just a problem for people who can’t keep their homes clean. All it takes is for a single egg to make its way into your home.

Here are a few scenarios of how these blood-sucking parasites might have found their way to you:

• You brought them home in your suitcase from vacation (not just abroad, but also within the Czech Republic).
• You brought them home on your clothes from a bus or tram.
• You bought secondhand furniture, toys, or clothing.
• They got to you from your neighbors via the risers or a window.
• You visited a movie theater or a theater.
• Children can bring them home from school from their classmates.

 
Have you found signs of bed bugs? Don’t panic. While it’s true that bed bugs are hard to get rid of, all is not lost. Especially if you’ve spotted these uninvited guests early and follow the advice below, you’ll definitely get rid of them soon.

 
How to deal with the pests:

• Don’t try to get rid of them on your own. Call a professional pest control company. They are immune to over-the-counter sprays. At best, these will only cause them to move to other areas.
• If you live in an apartment, you must set aside your embarrassment and inform your neighbors. It’s necessary for the experts to inspect their homes as well. It’s possible that the beetles are there too and could spread throughout the entire building.
• One visit from the experts will likely not be enough. They tend to choose hard-to-reach places as their hiding spots—cracks, upholstery, and behind pictures.
• Wash laundry from an infested household at a minimum of 60 degrees.
• It’s best to politely decline all visitors.