Bedbug alert: What you need to know about these tiny terrors

After the issued emergency order to close Athens-Clarke County Courthouse due to bedbugs on Monday, here is what you need to know about these tiny terrors, and how to prevent them from coming into your home.

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are tiny pests capable of causing significant disruption with just one infestation. These small, brown, oval-shaped bugs spread rapidly . Adult females produce 200-500 eggs over their 6-12 month lifespan.

Bedbugs were eradicated in the middle of the 20th century but made a triumphant return as the human population began to travel more, according to the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research. Today, they can be found in dark, tight, hidden spaces.

But how do these creatures make their way into our homes?

Bed bugs can travel quickly and latch onto furniture and other items. They can be brought into the home from places like bus seats, airplanes or theater cushions, etc. They also sneak in through purses and luggage. Once inside, they hide in bedroom furniture such as mattresses, box springs and bed frames.

Think of bedbugs as hitchhikers; they can’t fly, so they rely on their host to transport them via suitcases, furniture or clothing.

More: Emergency order issued to close Athens-Clarke County Courthouse due to bedbugs

How to prevent bedbugs

Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your belongings against infestation:

• Reduce clutter
• Vacuum frequently
• Keep your belongings away from others’
• Seal cracks
• Check and clean secondhand furniture and clothes

How to check for bedbugs

Other than checking for the live bugs themselves, look for signs of:

• Reddish stains from bedbugs being crushed
• Dark spots from bedbug excrement
• Eggs, eggshells and shedding skins

More: Athens-Clarke library remains closed through Saturday for bed bug extermination

Here's how to get rid of bed bugs at home, according to WebMD

1. Wash bedsheets, clothing, linens and curtains in hot water. Then, put them in the dryer on the hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
2. Use a stiff brush on mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs.
3. Vacuum your bed and the surrounding area. Place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and put it in a trash can outside.
4. Encase your mattress in a bed bug mattress cover and keep this on for at least a year since bed bugs can survive up to that long without feeding.
5. Repair cracks in walls or plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to limit hiding places.
6. Get rid of clutter around the bed.

While these tips can help, using chemicals is the most effective way to exterminate bed bugs. WebMD suggests hiring an experienced exterminator for the best results.

Source: USA T ODAY

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Bedbug alert: What you need to know about these tiny terrors