Category Archives: Bed Bug Home Remedies

You may notice groups of small raised bumps on your skin and suspect that youve been bitten by a bug. Two culprits may be bed bugs and chiggers. These two bugs are parasites, living off the blood of people or animals.

Their bites may look similar, but bed bugs and chiggers live in much different environments. Generally, bed bug and chigger bites are irritating and uncomfortable but not a risk to your overall health.

Bed bugs live near sleeping quarters. You may find evidence of bed bugs if you notice brown or red spots on your sheets. You may also smell something sweet and musty if bed bugs are nearby.

Chiggers group in clusters. When they attach to your body, they may feed off of it for several hours or days if you do not wash yourself or scratch them off. You may feel them on your skin and never see them because of their microscopic size.

Physical symptoms of bed bug bites:

You may also find that bed bug bites cause:

Not everyone will have the same symptoms from bed bug bites. Some people are more sensitive to bed bug bites and their symptoms may be worse.

Physical symptoms of chigger bites:

You may notice chigger bites change while healing. The center of the bite may appear to have a cap that oozes if scratched.

Some people bitten by chiggers may react more strongly to the bites.

You may not know that youve been bitten by bed bugs unless you actually see evidence of them where youve slept. You likely will not feel a bite from bed bugs because they release a substance that numbs your skin and keeps any blood from running out of the bite area.

Chigger bites can last for a range of time, depending on your exposure and how long they stay on you. If you have chiggers on you for a short amount of time, the symptoms may be mild and last only a few days. However, chiggers that stay on you for a longer length of time, such as while you sleep, may cause more severe symptoms for a few weeks.

Both bed bug and chigger bites appear as raised, red, inflamed spots on your skin.

Bed bug bites appear most frequently near areas of exposed skin and may appear in lines or in random clusters.

Chigger bites are grouped together in locations near tight-fitting clothing.

Both bed bug and chigger bites will go away with time. Treatments focus on calming symptoms so you can be more comfortable.

The first line of treatment for both bed bug and chigger bites is to avoid scratching them and leaving them alone as much as possible.

Make sure to wash the affected area with warm, soapy water if you suspect chigger bites. This will make sure no chiggers remain on your skin.

You can apply cool compresses to the bites, such as a cool washcloth or towel.

There are many over-the-counter medication options to reduce bed bug and chigger bite symptoms.

Try pain-relieving medications like acetaminophen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to calm discomfort associated with the bites. NSAIDs also relieve inflammation.

Topical creams, ointments, and lotions may soothe the itch caused by bed bugs and chiggers. These include those containing steroids, like hydrocortisone.

An oral antihistamine may help control itching or swelling.

If the bite area becomes worse over time, it may be infected. Treating an infection may require antibiotics.

Call a doctor if you:

Extreme allergic reactions may cause anaphylactic shock. Call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room.

Severe infections from a bite can also be serious so if you develop a high fever and other symptoms that make you concerned, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The best way to manage bed bugs and chiggers is to avoid bites in the first place.

Bed bug removal requires fumigation. If you have bed bugs in your home, call a professional to kill the bugs, because they can live for several months between feedings.

Keep spaces where bed bugs may live clean. Cleaning regularly will help you spot signs of bed bugs.

If you are traveling and worried about bed bugs, consider sleeping in clothing that covers most of your skin. You can also use an insect repellant.

Limit your exposure to chiggers by avoiding contact with grasses and weeds. Do not sit directly on lawns, and make sure to keep your landscaping maintained. Overgrown yards can contribute to more chiggers.

Wear bug spray and dress in clothing that covers most of your body when youre outside. This may include tucking your pants into your socks or wearing gloves tucked into long-sleeved shirts.

Both bed bugs and chiggers are tiny parasites that can cause uncomfortable pimple-like bumps on your skin. These bites may cause a few days of irritation, but they are generally not harmful in the long term. Try to avoid scratching the bites to reduce chances of infection, and use home remedies and over-the-counter medications to soothe symptoms.

Read more from the original source:
Chigger Bites Vs. Bed Bug Bites: Telling Them Apart - Healthline

Maybe youve been there: its summer. Its pleasant and warm. Youre used to bugs getting into the house from time to time. One night, you find a large, brown bug crawling on the wall. Thinking nothing of it, you grab a tissue and squish it, only to realize that now your room is home to an unpleasant odor. Youve killed a stink bug.

Thinking nothing of it, you grab a tissue and squish it, only to realize that now your room is home to an unpleasant odor. Youve killed a stink bug and, if you didnt know where they earned their name, you do now. There must be better ways to get rid of stink bugs.

Many homeowners consider the Halyomorpha halys, also known as the brown marmorated stink bug or shield bug, as a nuisance because of its obnoxious odor. They enter homes during the summer months and spend winter in the warmth of wall cracks, crawl spaces, and attics.

Come spring, they come out from hiding to go back outside and feed on plants. During this time, you will see them gathering on walls and windows.

There are various ways to get rid of backyard pests, including stink bugs and making your own homemade pigeon repellent.

Stink bugs come from China and the far East, and the 1990s saw their introduction to the United States. They can grow to almost 2 centimeters long. They come in a variety of different colors depending on geographic location and the type of bug, ranging from brown to green.

Descriptions of their appearance depending on who you ask. Some will call them large, oval-shaped insect, while others suggest that their bodies are shield-shaped. They have a total of six long legs that extend from their sides, making them appear deceptively large. They are pretty big, however, tending to be almost as wide as they are long.

Homeowners regularly ask: do stink bugs bite? Its rare that a stink bug will bite a human being and will only do so when they feel threatened. Stink bugs are herbivores and prefer to feed on vegetables, fruits, and host plants like apples, green beans, soybeans, peaches, pears, and cherries.

If you do experience a stink bug bite, youre likely to experience some pain and swelling, but the bites are otherwise harmless. Many people think that the stink they emit is a poison.

However, the unpleasant smell is a result of a liquid they emit to deter predators. And while a stink bug bite is harmless to adult humans, for the most part, it can be dangerous to small children and pets.

While stink bugs are largely harmless, you probably dont want them crawling around in your home. There are a few ways to get rid of stink bugs.

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Tips for Preventing Stink Bugs

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Exclusion is the best treatment for stink bugs. So, before you ask how to get rid of stink bugs, lets talk about how to fend them off. If they cant get into your house (or dont want to), you dont have to worry about them.

As mentioned, stink bugs enter homes via cracks in the siding and foundation.To fend off stink bugs use mesh screening over air vents, chimneys, and other susceptible areas. Similarly, if you have holes in your screens, patch them up. Check doors for points of ingress.

Cracks and holes in the walls and foundation can be a point of ingress for stink bugs. Patch points of entry with high-grade silicone caulk. This should keep stink bugs away for good.

While stink bugs have unpleasant aromas of their own, there are smells they dislike too. Wipe down the screens of your windows and doors with scented dryer sheets. Stink bugs hate the smell, so theyll stay away.

There are a couple of extra things you can do to keep stink bugs away from your home. Stink bugs like weeds, so get rid of them. Kill some of the bugs outside your home, as the scent will drive others away.

And, if you okay with the possibility of a sting or two, grow wildflowers in your yard. Wasps are natural predators to stink bugs, so having wasps in the area will reduce the stink bug population.

If you have a stink bug or stink beetle as they are often called, in your house, avoid swatting or otherwise antagonizing it, because doing so will cause it to panic and release its odor. Instead, take a plastic bottle and use the lid to collect the stink bug, and then toss it outside.

You can also use plastic bags. Using a plastic bottle is ideal, however, because if the bug decides to stink, you trap the odor in the bottle. Once you have the bug, flush it down the toilet or (if the weather is cold) stick the bottle outside, where the bug will freeze. If its summer, put the bottle in the freezer for the same effect.

If you have a lot of stink bugs in your home and getting rid of them individually is impractical, consider making a trap. You can make a trap with a 2-liter soda bottle, LED light, electrical tape, and some supplies you probably have around the home. Heres how.

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Stink Bug Trap Supplies

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Use a razor blade to cut off the top of the bottle. Cut just above the label. Youll be cutting off approximately the top 1/3 of the bottle. Set the top of the bottle aside for the time being, as youll be using it later. Wrap the bottom of the bottle with black electrical tape.

Set the LED light at the bottom of the bottle. Take the bottle top from earlier and place it upside-down into the bottle. Youve created a funnel.

The sides of the bottle are slippery, so stink bugs will have a hard time climbing. Stick strips of masking tape along the outside of the bottle. The stink bugs will now be able to climb the sides, at which point theyll fall into the funnel. Once theyve entered the bottle, theyll be unable to climb out again.

Use a long object to turn on the LED light. Leave the trap out overnight. The LED light will attract stink bugs. In the morning, youll be able to dispose of them.

Youll want to avoid the use of insecticides in battling stink bugs for multiple reasons. First, adult stink bugs are hardy may shake off the effects. Also, by using insecticides, you expose members of your household and yourself to toxic chemicals that can impair your health.

In cases where youre killing stink bugs in wall cracks, the stench of the carcasses will attract carpet beetlesand now youve replaced one problem with another. For that reason, youll want to stick to natural remedies.

Do you like the smell of garlic? Stink bugs hate garlic. There are a couple of ways you can use garlic to keep stink bugs away from your home.

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Garlic Spray for Stink Bugs Recipe

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One way is by chopping up garlic and leaving the bits where you know the stink bugs are entering your home. The other is by making a mixture of garlic powder and water and spraying common points of ingress, which is especially useful if youve yet to caulk cracks and holes.

You can also use this spray on your clothing as a homemade insect repellent but know that you might not repel just bugs, but alienate friends, as well!

Sometimes, simplicity is the best route. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up stink bugs. Youll want to use a bagged vacuum, however. When sucked up by a vacuum, stink bugs feel threatened and release their stink.

If youre using a bagless vacuum, the odor will linger, and youll be smelling it for days (if not longer). By using a bag, you keep the smell contained. When youre finished vacuuming the stink bugs, throw the bag away.

Soap is effective in killing stinkbugs as it breaks down their exterior and leaves them dehydrated. A soapy water mixture can be sprayed directly on the stinkbugs. The safest option is to use a mild detergent, which will take care of the stink bugs without damaging your property or health.

The solution only takes a few minutes to put together, and the result is safe, natural, and effective. Best of all, theres a good chance that you already have the ingredients in your house, saving you a trip to the store.

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Soapy Water Stink Bug Recipe

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Mix up the ingredients in a sprayer and spritz all bugs you see.

Hairspray, on its own, wont kill stink bugs. What it will do, however, is paralyze them. Once paralyzed, you can then drop them into a bowl of soapy water, throw them outside, or flush them down the toilet. To use the hair spray, spray it directly onto the stink bug.

Technically, neem oil pressed from seeds of the neem tree is an insecticide. It is, however, a natural insecticide, meaning its effective against stink bugs and lacks the chemicals and additives characteristic of traditional over-the-counter insecticides.

While you wouldnt want to get OTC insecticides on you, neem oil can actually be beneficial for your skin. Neem oil works by disrupting the feeding instincts of stink bugs, thus starving them and preventing them from laying eggs.

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Neem Oil Stink Bug Recipe

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Use neem oil by combining it with warm water and spraying down common points of entry. Points of entry include windowsills, doors, and fissures in your walls and foundation. If youve noticed that stink bugs are attracted to certain places in your house, give the area a good coating.

While neem oil wont kill the bugs immediately, you should notice a decrease in the number of stink bugs in and around your house over the long term.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a type of sedimentary rock used for a variety of purposes. DE contains traces of silica, alumina, and iron oxide. In powder form, it is a natural pesticide and works great to kill silverfish, bed bugs, ants, and even spider mites. It is also one of the most effective home remedies for getting rid of roaches fast. A chalky powder, DE works by breaking down the exoskeleton of the bugs and dehydrating them.

To use DE, spread it around the inside and outside of your house. Focus on areas where stink bugs seem to congregate, as well as common points of entry such as windowsills and doorways. If you see any stink bugs, feel free to sprinkle the powder onto them directly.

Note: While on the market for DE, look for DE that hasnt been heat-treated, as untreated DE makes a better pesticide.

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If youd prefer to use repellents instead of substances that will outright kill stink bugs, but you find the smell of garlic unsavory, consider using mint. Mint works the same way as garlic: the pungent aroma repels stink bugs without killing them.

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Mint Stink Bug Recipe

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To use mint, use peppermint oil and mix with some water in a spray bottle and apply to points of ingress. You should see a reduction in the number of stink bugs in your house. Similarly, you can also grind up fresh mint leaves and use them instead of the oil.

A hot pepper solution will kill stinkbugs immediately. Capsaicin, the chemical in hot peppers that gives them their signature heat, works by burning the exterior of the stink bugs.

To use it, let hot peppers (jalapenos, habaneros, etc.) soak in water and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto the stink bugs.

Warning: Please be careful while handling hot peppers. Be sure to wash your hands before doing anything else, such as rubbing your eyes or face.

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Seeing a stink bug in your house can, well, stink. On the bright side, preparation and the right tools mean you can deal with the bugs with little to no drama and you can do it without exposing yourself to the odor that gives stink bugs their name.

In this article, you learned several home remedies to get rid of stink bugs. Youve learned about how to prevent them from entering your home in the first place, youve learned how to trap them, and youve learned solutions for getting rid of them once theyre inside.

Do you know someone who has a problem with stink bugs? Use the buttons below to share on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

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How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs - 8 Simple Home Remedies - Tips Bulletin

Flea bites vs bedbug bites: what are the differences?

Medical Author: Dr. Anita Dhanorkar, BHMS

Medical Reviewer: Pallavi Suyog Uttekar, MD

You may be bitten by an insect and get a small, painful, itchy, red bump on the skin. Some insect bites may be serious and you can see the marks at the site of the bite. There may be oozing from the marks in the case of a black widow spider bite or a wasp bite.

It is very difficult to know whether you were bitten by an insect if you have not seen it. However, the treatment for most insect bites is similar.

Flea bites look like red spots over the legs and ankles. They may appear in a cluster of two or three.

The bites are usually present over the exposed area. Marks may appear in a line of three bites called the breakfast, lunch, dinner pattern. Some people may experience allergic reactions to it.

Fleas are wingless, 2 to 8-mm long, oval caterpillar-like bloodsucking parasites that mostly feed on humans and animals (cats, dogs, rodents, and even birds). They may jump as high as 150 times their height and travel from one body to another over a great distance. They can survive in extreme conditions for a long time without any food, even for one to two months. They were the most common transmitter of bubonic plague in the past.

If your dermatologist suspects a flea bite, they will inquire about your living conditions and recent exposure after your skin examination. There is no laboratory test to confirm that fleas are the causal agent of these rashes.

If you are diagnosed/suspected to have a flea bite

Bedbugs are small red-brown insects that often live on furniture or a bed. If they bite you, you may see

If you get a bug bite

It is very difficult to differentiate a flea bite and a bedbug bite from looking at the rash. To detect the cause of your bite, your dermatologist will examine the skin and consider your personal history and the places you visited recently.

Link:
Flea Bites: Treatment, Symptoms, 11 Home Remedies & Pictures - MedicineNet

Does it seem like you're killing bugs inside and around your home in the summertime more than any other season in New Jersey?

Thats because most insects go into a state of hibernation in the winter called diapause, which they can do at various stages of eggs, juveniles, and adulthood, depending on the species, said George Hamilton, pest management extension specialist with Rutgers Cooperative Extension at Rutgers University.

Then, when the weather gets warmer, these dormant insects become active, looking for food in and around people's homes.

The most common insect found in New Jersey homes during summer are carpenter ants. Most of the time they nest outside a home but many times theyll make their way inside homes looking for food.

The good news is they are easy to control, said Hamilton. A barrier can be set up outside the home to keep them from coming in or bait traps can be set up inside the home, as well.

Other common bugs found in New Jersey homes in the summer include centipedes, silverfish, millipedes, camel crickets, spiders, and ground beetles.

Close Up Of An Adult Female And Nymph Tick Is Shown June 15 2001 On A Fingertip Ticks

Hamilton said ticks are having a banner year in New Jersey. They are mostly active in the summer but can be active in the fall and winter if temperatures reach above 50 degrees. Mosquitoes are always a huge problem in New Jersey as they can carry diseases, such as the West Nile virus.

Spotted lanternflies are the new insect in town, so to speak. Soon, cicada killers will be arriving in the Garden State, said Hamilton. They are large and wasp-like, so because of their size, Hamilton said there is often a misconception that they are harmful. Typically, cicadas are harmless to humans.

Yellow jackets are another insect that people should be cautious about especially when dining outside on a backyard porch or patio. Hamilton said yellow jackets, which can sting, are looking for sugar sources. If youre eating sugary food or drinking a soda, be careful.

Aside from bed bugs and cockroaches, which can be attributed to a homes uncleanliness, Hamilton said having bugs in your house does not mean youre necessarily dirty.

Insects are small and they can find ways to get into houses in places you wouldnt think especially if theres a small hole or an open window sill, Hamilton said.

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To get rid of bugs, an exterminator can help but hiring one can be expensive.

Hamilton recommends buying spray products from a reputable garden center or even a big-box store, but he stressed that people should read the label and make sure that the bug they want to control is on the label.

And while Hamilton said store-bought sprays have more potency and are more effective than handmade concoctions, there are options for those looking to go green.

According to http://www.familyhandyman.com, some common homemade remedies to get rid of pests include apple cider vinegar, coffee grounds, cornmeal and essential oils such as lavender, clove or peppermint.

As for soap and water, some insects will respond to it while others won't. Hamilton said soap in a too-high concentration amount can actually harm plants, burning the foliage, especially if youre deliberately spraying on plants to get rid of insects on them. The suggested concentration is a ratio of two-and-a-half tablespoons of soap in one gallon of water.

Water mixed with dish soap, however, is a good spraying solution to kill the spotted lanternflies, according to The Mendham Garden Center. It's one of the safest and most effective ways to combat spotted lanternflies in their various stages.

Jen Ursillo is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at jennifer.ursillo@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

A current list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2022. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.

(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)

Original post:
Bugs in your house? Here's how to get rid of them - New Jersey 101.5 FM

Bugs

How do you know that you are being attacked by bed bugs? Though bed bugs are tiny and feed on you during the night when you are asleep, they leave behind a lot of tell-tale-signs on the mattress or the area around them. When you get bitten by a bed bug, you will notice reddish spots on your skin. You can also check for black dots, which can either be bug excrement or blood from a dead bug. They leave behind unsightly rusty stains on the bed coverings, and you can also check for live bugs. If none of these seems to work and you still wake up with bites on your skin, you can contact a Bed Bug Exterminator San Jose to help you examine your house for bed bug infestation.

You may choose to get rid of the bed bugs using simple but effective home remedies. However, before you embark on the mission to remove bed bugs from your house, you need to ensure that you thoroughly clean your rooms. Vacuum clean the carpets and couches, mattresses and remove clutter from your house. Clean the surface and inspect the crevices and cracks and seal them immediately.

Some simple but effective home remedies that can help you deal with bed bug menace include; vinegar, baking soda, diatomaceous earth, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils.

Vinegar kills bed bugs by destroying their nervous system because it is a strong acetic acid. All you need to do is take some white vinegar, apply it to bed bug-infested surfaces, and then spray liberally and directly on the bed bugs. It is important to note that though vinegar will kill the bed bugs, it does not kill the eggs and, therefore, is not sufficient to eradicate a bed bug infestation wholly. Its effects are considered short term and limited.

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is not just useful in your kitchen but is also one of the best-known home remedies for bedbugs. It is believed that baking soda kills bed bugs by absorbing the surface fluids on the waxy layer of the bugs shell, causing them to dehydrate. It is also thought that baking soda cuts into the bed bugs shell, causing internal bleeding. Just sprinkle some baking soda on your mattress and the affected areas, let it sit for an hour and a half before you vacuum it.

Diatomaceous earth has been used for millennia as pesticides. It is considered to be the most effective home remedy for treating bed bug infestations. It is readily available, is natural, non-toxic, and it is relatively cheaper than other known pesticides. It is cited as an effective, reduced-risk solution for bed bug management. Diatomaceous earth abrades the waxy outer coating of bed bugs, which causes moisture to be removed from the bugs leading to their imminent death. Though diatomaceous earth takes some time before it starts to work, it eliminates up to 90% of the bedbugs and prevents them from moving freely in your house.

Bugs

Rubbing alcohol is known as isopropyl alcohol, is said to kill bed bugs by dissolving their cells. Direct contact with rubbing alcohol causes the skin of the bed bug to dry, which leads to its death. Though it is effective in killing bed bugs with their eggs, it can be hard to apply in cracks and crevices where bed bugs crawl and hide. Rubbing alcohol does not stain your fabric or furniture, but you need to test it in a small area before starting the treatment.

Essential oils such as; clove oil, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, thyme, and peppermint are great ways to deter bed bugs from sucking your blood. Regular spraying over bed bug-infested areas can kill them and prevent them from spreading. Peppermint has a strong scent and high menthol content that effectively repels bed bugs. All you need to do is mix your choice essential oil with some bit of distilled water and spray it on the bed bug-infested area. The lovely scent in essential oils also leaves your bed smelling nice.

Home remedies remain effective only when you continue to maintain a clean house and remove clutter. It can be harder to eliminate bed bugs if you often travel because you may bring new bugs home. Ensure that your travel luggage is thoroughly examined, cleaned, and treated to remove the possible presence of bed bugs. To maintain a bedbug-free house, you can enlist a professional bed bug exterminator to examine your house annually.

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