Are you wondering if you have bed bugs in your home? Getting rid of bed bugs can be an annoying task, but the earlier you are able to complete bed bug removal, the better as this issue will only get worse.
If you are hoping to figure out if you need to deal with this problem, keep reading. In this guide, we will go over the main signs that you have bed bugs in your home so that you can start working on a solution to get rid of them.
1. Bites
One of the easiest ways to know that you have bed bugs in your home is if you are suddenly noticing bites on your skin. These bites will result in small, itchy, red bumps that seem to appear overnight. The most common places that you will find these bites are on the arms, legs, and hands.
Additionally, these bites may also appear in a line on the skin. Bed bugs are nocturnal and will bite and feed on human blood while they sleep at night. For this reason, these bites will appear overnight in exposed areas.
However, not all humans are affected by bed bug bites and they may show no physical signs or any scratching at all, making this identifier one that may not work for everyone. On the other hand, some can experience an allergic reaction to bed bug bites, which can result in swelling, blisters, or flulike symptoms. If you are experiencing these symptoms as a result of bed bugs, you should receive medical attention immediately.
2. Musty Odors
If you are suddenly noticing musty and unusual odors that seem to be coming out of nowhere, this may be a sign that you have bed bugs in your home. This is because bed bugs emit a pheromone odor that is a response when they are threatened or bothered. This scent can result in an odor that you suddenly notice in your home that can either smell like rust, mold, or dirty laundry.
While at first, this scent can be very mild and you may not notice it, as the problem becomes more severe, the smell will get worse.
3. Bloodstains
If you notice small blots of blood staining your bed sheets without any other explanation, this may be a sign that your bed is infested with bed bugs. These splotches can also appear on your pillowcase or clothing. These stains may be a result of killing bed bugs that appearing to feed in the night as we sleep.
In your sleep, you may roll over, killing bed bugs, resulting in these random blood marks. However, make sure that you consider other health factors before jumping to bed bug-removing solutions. For a bed bug-removing solution, head to the link: https://reliabletsolutions.com/.
Some Leading Signs That You Have Bed Bugs
If you are not physically seeing these pesky bugs but are looking for more signs that you have bed bugs, look out for these common clues.
Is one of your goals to lose weight or become a healthier person? Perhaps
you simply want to get your home more organized? If so, we’ve got great news —
decluttering your home can not only help you get organized, but may help you lose
a few pounds, lower stress levels and improve your overall health as well!
First, a cluttered or disorganized home makes it harder to find items
you need, and you are more likely to misplace your cellphone, wallet, or keys —
causing stress and wasting time. Studies have also found that simply being
exposed to a messy or chaotic environment makes you more likely to overeat greasy
or unhealthy foods, which can result in weight gain. Other research has found
that if you find the inside of your home stressful, you’re more likely to feel depressed
and have higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that is linked to a greater
risk of poor health.
The good news is that making some small modifications to declutter your home could make it more organized and feel more peaceful, decreasing stress and improving your health. The below infographic, The Organization Diet: Cut the Clutter & Improve Your Life, presents proven, practical tips to help you streamline your home. Give the “organization diet” a try. Chances are you’ll shed not only unnecessary clutter but stress and extra pounds as well, setting you up for better overall physical and mental health.
An unfortunate fact of daily living is stress. Stress is an
evolutionary mechanism that aided in the survival of humans, and in small
amounts, can spur us on to work harder and successfully address a threat.
However, too much stress can be detrimental to our health. Chronic stress can
negatively impact our immune system; make us tired, depressed, and anxious;
lead us to consume more food; cause our blood pressure to rise; and even result
in heart problems and make us vulnerable to other diseases.
There are many pieces written on
the topic of reducing stress from our lives. Most suggestions focus on lifestyle
changes such as turning off the news, going to the gym, changing jobs or
careers, remaining positive in the face of adversity, and similar choices.
While these are all good and highly recommended, the following infographic
focuses on modifications we can make to our homes. Changing the physical
environment has a greater impact on our stress levels than we may realize.
Colors, scents, lights, and
other sensory factors have been proven to help people feel less stress. That’s
why it is recommended to change the wall color, add plants to your décor, light
candles, improve the lighting, and much more. The infographic also offers ideas
for personal self-care that can be done at home, including dressing more comfortably,
enjoying a spa day, and soaking in a hot tub. Combined, these self-care
activities could make your home into a true sanctuary for stressful times. You’ll
be surprised at what a difference these seemingly easy things can make to your
stress level!
With people now spending more time
at home, it’s more important than ever to maintain healthy living conditions.
Unfortunately, research shows that indoor
air can be up to five times more polluted
than outdoor air. Here’s how homeowners can improve their interior air quality.
Control Humidity in Your Home
While low humidity can dry out your
skin, high humidity often has an even worse effect on air quality. If you’ve
noticed condensation on your windows, this is a tell-tale sign that the
humidity levels are too high. Moist conditions can promote the growth of mold,
which often leads to families experiencing respiratory issues. To help reduce
humidity, be sure to run exhaust fans while cooking and showering.
Open Your Windows
Develop a habit of cracking your
windows for at least 20 minutes a day. This can help clear the home of indoor
pollutants. Many people are surprised by the number of toxins that can build up
within their walls. If you don’t allow stale air to escape, there’s a greater
chance for someone to get sick. Turning on your ceiling fans will also help
circulate air.
Maintain Your HVAC System
It’s a good idea to invest in air
conditioning maintenance services. A
well-maintained HVAC unit can noticeably improve indoor air quality. Make it a
priority to change your AC filter every month or two. When the filter becomes
clogged, airborne irritants will increase. You should also consider upgrading
to a filter with a higher MERV rating. These types of filters are designed to
capture even the smallest of dust particles.
Put More Plants in Your Home
If you want to breathe in cleaner
air while relaxing at home, add a few indoor plants. A NASA study reveals that
some plants can actually scrub the air of cancer-causing compounds. Some of the
best choices include Boston ferns, English ivy, peace lily, and bamboo palm.
Make Housekeeping a Top Priority
To keep allergens out of the air,
take your housekeeping duties seriously. Experts recommend vacuuming carpet
floors at least twice a week. Routine steaming cleaning is recommended as well.
Carpet is known for harboring mildew and bacteria. You should also wash your
bedding in hot water every week. The heat will kill dust mites and bedbugs on
contact.
As you can see, interior air quality can have a direct impact on health. A few changes will allow your entire family to breathe a bit easier. Everyone will appreciate the extra peace of mind.
Guest Post By:
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys Tennis and spending time with her family.
Wondering how to beat the boredom,
improve your home, and still feel healthy and rejuvenated during a lockdown?
Well, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and embrace DIY home maintenance
projects. Sprucing up your home will make it an ideal place to play, work, and
relax and impact our well-being. So let’s explore practical ideas for homecare
maintenance amidst the pandemic.
Decluttering your
home
Clutter can make your home look
unpleasant and unappealing, and it also has more downsides. It can damage your mentaland physical health. Mentally, it can cause
stress, negative emotions, and physically, cause falls and slips.
During this pandemic, decluttering will
impact your quality of life and well-being; as you take control of your
residence and straighten things up, it will induce calm and cheer you up.
To start your cluttering process, divide
the rooms and decide on where to start. Whether it’s the kid’s room, garage,
home office, tackling one room at a time makes the job easier to do and keeps
you motivated.
Then, sort the items in different
categories to enable you to get rid of them quickly.
After sorting out, fine-tune them by
packing them into separate containers, for bathroom items put in zip-top bags,
for electrical cords, use a bin. This enables you to choose what to keep, give
out or sell. Decluttering will free up your shelves, tabletops and wall space,
which in return will make your spaces feel and roomier .
Redecorate your
Rooms
Redecorate your rooms using repurposed
items like elegant platters, frames, plants, and trays. Use frame posters or
artworks to add more charm in the hallways or office. Paint using colors that
speak to and inspire you daily. Use unique items to put things like keys,
remotes, and other small stuff.
Having plants keeps your home connected
to nature and refreshed. Recycle
containers and repurpose items like glass bottles, cups, and broken bowls into
indoor planters.
Fix sticking doors
After some time, even a well-installed door can become loose and start to stick, and the problem is often found within the hinges. Most screws do become loose after a time, causing the door and hinges to sag. Tighten the hinge screw using a screwdriver. Alternatively, replace the original screw with longer ones that drive more into the door frame.
Clean your gutters
Cleaning your gutters is not the best way
to enjoy fresh air, but it’s a necessary activity that can be carried out
during the lockdown. Clogged drains cause a build-up of sludge and rainwater,
leaves that may seep into your walls, damage the roof, and provide a
serviceable nest for bugs, rodents, and other pests.
Prop a ladder against your exterior and be careful not to fall or damage your house, put on gloves, and use a trowel to remove the unwanted debris and finish out by washing the gutter using a hosepipe.
Unclog your Sink,
drains, and toilets
To perform minor unblocking, use vinegar and baking soda. Start by pouring boiling water down the drains. Next, make a solution of baking soda and vinegar by using a measurement of 1 cup of each. Cover the drains and wait for around 5 to 10 minutes. After, pour more boiling water. The bubbling reaction from the mixture will loosen the clog while the boiling water will flush it away down the pipes.
Transform your Garden
Tidy out your outdoor space by giving it
a makeover that requires little maintenance. Lay leftover bricks around the
flowers to create a path that mirrors your flower bed shape. This makes it easy
to weed while giving your yard an appealing look.
Turn soil flower beds into wood chip beds
and replace the perimeter grass with pebbles to give your garden an attractive
look while reducing constant upkeep.
Carry out minor weeding activities like
pruning the shrubs in your garden. It creates more room for growth. Give your
lawn a makeover by cutting back the hedges, pulling out weed and rock painting.
Wash your Garden
Patio
Jet washing your back and front yard
space makes it look more presentable, and it provides a chance to enjoy the
area and interact with nature, thus improving mental health. Jet cleaned patios
do appear brighter and bigger.
Clean the fridge
Remove all items from your fridge
compartments and shelves and clean them before restocking. Take out drawers or
crispers, shelves, and other removable surfaces from the refrigerator and clean
them thoroughly using soap and water.
Wipe the inside of the fridge using a mixture
of baking powder, vinegar, and hot water. For stubborn stains, remove them
using a small amount of white toothpaste. Clean the fridge doors and gasket
using a solution of vinegar and water. Pat the gasket dry and apply lemon oil,
body lotion, or mineral lotion to keep the gasket rubber supple.
Sanitise the door
handles
Cleaning and sanitizing your door handles
has become an essential part of prevention during the covid-19 crisis. Ensure
that your door handles are cleaned thoroughly after every use and apply antimicrobial protective film to reduce the
chances of bacteria growing and spreading.
Polish your wood
furnishings
You can polish your wood furnishing like dressing tables, shelves, sideboards, tables to keep them looking good. Wipe down the dirt using a damp cloth from a mixture of water and soap or disinfect using Zoflora. Use an oil solution or varnish to polish the wood and enhance its natural color. Polishing helps to add longevity and shine to your wood furnishings.
Wash windows, walls
and doors
Clean your doors, walls, and windows to
remove unwanted stains, smudges, and dirt, and keep your home sparkling. For
the walls, move everything away and dust the walls using a broom, vacuum
cleaner, or dusting brush. Take warm water and soap and wash the wall from top
to bottom.
In conclusion, homecare maintenance has
an overall benefit to your wellness and health, but it also adds longevity to
the exterior and interior fixtures, thus saving you money. Do it practically
during this COVID-19 pandemic and lessen the spread of germs, boost your
productivity while staying active, mentally, and physically.
It goes without saying that sleep
is very important. You depend on a restful night of sleep in order to function
properly. It will give you the energy and focus that you need to excel in your
life, both professionally and personally. Unfortunately, many people do not
give enough attention to creating the perfect sleep environment. It would be
helpful to consider some basic home upgrades that you can make to provide you
with a better overall night of sleep. These ideas will go a long way toward
ensuring that you remain healthy and happy as a result.
Use Blackout Blinds or Curtains
The human mind is stimulated by
light. This is why it is important to sleep in a dark environment whenever
possible. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If you live in the city,
it seems that there are always lights trying to shine through your windows. You
may also discover that the sun comes starts shining well before you need to get
up. To combat this, upgrade your window covering to blinds or curtains that
provide blackout conditions.
Create Soundproof Walls
Sound is another destroyer of
sleep. Consider upgrading your walls to make them soundproof. When you do this,
you will be able to effectively block out much of the noise that may keep you
awake at night. Sudden noises may also wake you up, making it that much more
difficult to get back into a state of restful sleep.
Service Your Air Conditioner
One way to sleep better at night
is to make sure your room is a comfortable temperature. If you are consistently
warm, consider calling one of the great air conditioning
services in your area. Getting your unit serviced
will help you regulate the temperature in your bedroom, making a more
comfortable environment for you to sleep in.
Buy a New Mattress
The quality of your mattress is also a determining factor in terms of getting a good night’s sleep. You will want to upgrade your mattress if you find it difficult to get into a comfortable sleeping position. If you have a partner, make sure that you both get this upgrade together so that you end up purchasing just the perfect mattress for both of you.
These four upgrades to your home
will really go a long way towards helping you sleep better at night. This
should lead to a more productive life. You will also feel better as a result.
Take time to consider which of these upgrades would be most helpful to you and
then begin making it happen. You can begin on the path to a more restful night
of sleep right away.
Taking care of a loved one is never an easy job, and when they become ill or unable to care for themselves at all, it’s physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding. It can become overwhelming, and many people who take on the role of caregiver choose to have in-home health care help. However, even that task can be difficult, because finding the right helper for your needs is important, and there are many things to consider, such as the financial end of things and whether health insurance will assist in paying for help, as well as how to keep yourself healthy and happy.
There are many facets to taking care of a loved one, so it’s important to do some research and figure out the best option for you and your family before making any decisions.
Here are a few of the best tips on how to get started.
Find out what insurance covers
If your loved one has been hospitalized or suffered an injury, they likely qualify under Medicare or another insurance plan for a licensed nurse or speech therapist to come into the home for a short period of time to help with rehabilitation and healthcare, as well as someone to come and help with daily activities, such as bathing and preparing meals. However, most insurance companies won’t pay for these personal helpers if that is the only care your loved one needs. It varies from state to state, so check local guidelines to see if your loved one qualifies for assistance.
Housekeeping
If you’re spending most of your time taking care of your loved one and find that you’re falling behind when it comes to household chores, consider hiring a housekeeper. Having someone come in to help with housekeeping once or twice a week could really free up some of your time and allow you to focus on your loved one’s needs rather than worrying about getting the dishes clean or the laundry done.
Plan ahead
Because your time is valuable, it’s important to plan ahead as much as possible. This means making sure your loved one will never be left alone in the event that you have an emergency to attend to, and also gathering any paperwork that is pertinent to your loved one’s care and wellbeing. Keep everything–medical forms, notes from the doctor, a list of medications, a contact list of doctors and personal caregivers–together in one folder so it can be easily accessed by both you and anyone who would be coming in to help you.
Take big changes seriously
If your loved one is having trouble sleeping or eating, it could be more than something physical causing the problem. It’s important to watch for big changes and engage a counselor or therapist who could come to the home and speak with your loved one if necessary.
“When ill people stop caring about eating, it’s often because their self-esteem is waning — they no longer think they’re worth being fed and cared for. Another huge appetite-killer is depression, something 50 percent of elders struggle with,” says aging expert James Huysman.
Take care of yourself
Because you’re the primary caregiver for your loved one, it’s important to make sure your needs are met as well. You won’t be able to make sure they’re taken care of if you’re unwell or stressed out, and because caregiving is such a demanding job that takes a toll on a person both physically and emotionally, experiencing anxiety or stress is not uncommon. Find things that relax you and leave you feeling good about yourself so that you can combat those issues effectively.
Remember that there are many resources for the elderly; do some research online to find out what your state or city offers in the way of assistance.
Author
Kelli is part of DeployCare, which offers support to service members and their families.