Humans

Bed bugs are an unwanted guest in your home and they can be really difficult to get rid of. One place where they like to hang out is in your hair, but you might not even know it! If you have bed bugs in your hair or suspect that you do, then read on for some helpful tips about how to avoid getting them there and what to do if you already have. When you first encounter these pesky insects, they may be small brownish creatures that usually feed on animal or human blood. Adults are often flat in shape and on average, they are equal to the apple seed in size(check out photos below). However, when feeding becomes frequent their bodies swell after taking a meal of blood and turn into an almost reddish color. They don’t fly; rather crawl quickly along walls floors ceilings where it is common for them to live around homes. Females lay hundreds of eggs, which are often dirty white in color. Young ones known as nymphs can shed their skins about five times before maturing and require feeding on blood before shedding. They can fully develop within a month and produce 3-4 generations per year! Bed bugs can live in hair, although it is rare. Bed bugs seem to be less able to cling onto hair than lice, which have claws that enable them to stay attached. It is still possible for bedbugs to find their way into your hair though. On one occasion recently, I was called out to a home because the homeowner was finding bed bugs in his hair. Well, I found out that he had been sleeping on a bed that had bed bugs. The problem with bed bugs is they can crawl up and down walls, and then if you're not aware of them crawling across the floor to get onto your hair when you lay down for bed, then bingo-bed bug in hair! So if you want to remove bed bugs for good, please read on. Bed bug facts: where could an infestation come from? If you have bed bugs and are wondering where they came from, it's important to know that bed bug infestations can originate in many different places. It is possible for a bed bug pest control technician or an exterminator to bring them into the home on their clothes while doing inspections of nearby residences. Bed bugs could potentially be anywhere: under floors or carpets, in furniture, bedding or mattresses. Bed bugs are very tiny and can be found in the tiniest spaces, so you could potentially pick them up when travelling on public transportation or while visiting someone's home who has bed bugs as well. Where do bed bugs hide? They can be found in mattresses, bed frames and furniture in which they like to stay. They can also hide behind headboards and moldings near the ceiling as well as inside electrical outlets or cracks around door frames. But it is not just these hiding places that you need to worry about - bed bugs are known for their ability to live on clothes left out overnight if there is a bedbug problem in the bedroom. If these are the places they tend to stay, then it's understandable how they get into human hair. If you find that your clothes are being attacked by these pests, it is time to look for more infestation sites before they spread any further! Symptoms of bed bugs Bed bugs feed by sucking blood from humans. Bed bug bites are usually painless and go unnoticed, but they can also cause itchy welts on the skin. Some of the things to look out for: Bed bugs in human hair don't create any symptoms or signs that you can see with a naked eye. However, bed bug eggs laid by female bed bugs near your hairline may develop into nymphs. If you can't see the bed bugs themselves but are seeing a lot of eggs near your hairline or scalp and experiencing itchy welts on those areas, then there is a possibility that you have bed bug bites even though they've been difficult to detect so far. The eggs can be mistaken for dandruff, but bed bug eggs are a little larger than dandruff. A rash or red spot on the scalp, neck, chest, and back. This is typically caused by secondary skin infections from scratching bed bugs bites to relieve itching. The infection can lead to a serious condition called cellulitis. Hair loss in patches where hair may be pulled out when infested person scratches at bug bite site. Bed bugs can also give off a smell like a musty old locker room or dead animal when they sense that humans are near. Read more - http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/85480687-157.html What about other parts of the body? Although bed bugs don't prefer human hair or skin, they can bite you on your scalp, neck and face. Bed bug bites are usually not immediately painful, but they can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction that is very uncomfortable. They also prefer cool environments and the human body is a good source of heat. So they will usually feed for a short time then move on, but they can live in hair and starting biting again. Can bed bugs lay eggs in your hair? When a female bed bug lays eggs, she will lay them in cracks and crevices near the bed. This includes between mattress seams, under baseboards or along drawer sliders. They can also be found on window sills or around curtains if they are nearby. Once these eggs hatch, any place that is dark and has a relatively even temperature could serve as a potential home for the baby bed bugs. Bedbugs like dark and cool places, so your hair doesn't make for the ideal home. However, bed bugs could lay eggs in your hair if they are nearby or you sleep with them close to an area where they have laid eggs. Do bed bugs bite the scalp? As bed bugs live on bedding, mattresses and pillows, it is possible for them to bite a person on the scalp or somewhere else on the body. They can bite any place on where skin is exposed, usually on the neck, head, hands, feet when a person is asleep. Home remedies If you do find bed bugs in your hair, there are a number of ways to prevent them from multiplying and spreading using home remedies. Using natural products such as lavender, peppermint oil and tea tree oil are a great way to get rid of bed bugs. There are also many home remedies you can use for your hair such as olive or coconut oils which should help prevent them from living in your locks. There are also a number of practical things you can do to reduce the risk of bed bugs in your hair. Here are a few things to try: 1)Trim your beard If you have a beard or mustache, you should shave the hair around your face to reduce infestation. You can also use an anti-bacterial soap and shampoo that contains insecticides like pyrethrins or permethrin (though they need to be applied directly on bugs) in order to kill them off. 2)Remove them from wigs and hairpieces Sometimes bed bugs can be found in hairpieces or wigs. The easiest way to remove them is by washing the hair in a solution of water and ammonia, cleaning the wig with detergent, then rinsing it with soap again before drying. Bed bug Bites on scalp pictures 3)Shampoo and shower thoroughly When washing your hair use hot water and shampoo. Hot water will help with the clean up because bed bugs are killed in high temperatures, while the soap can get rid of any eggs that may have been left behind on your hair or scalp as well as kill off any bed bugs living there. Remember to include a conditioner after washing so you don't dry out too much! Also be careful not to make the water too hot that you could burn yourself. You may also want to brush out with a nit comb (normally use for head lice) before drying your hair. Dry your hair thoroughly with a towel, and then run the dryer on high for about 15 minutes to make sure you've gotten rid of any bed bugs or nymphs that might have been hiding in your hair. 4)Use an alcohol wash You can also use an alcohol wash to kill these little pests. Especially if you have lots of hair and don't want the bed bugs coming back, use an alcohol wash at least once a week on your scalp with rubbing alcohol or another liquid antiseptic/deodorizer that will combat bacteria. The benefits of this method is that it also helps to eliminate any head odor or other scalp issues. - Make a solution of alcohol and water (50/50 ratio) - Pour the mixture into an old bottle - After shampooing your hair, pour enough bed bug wash over your entire scalp and massage in for about one minute. 5)Almond oil treatment Almond oil is an effective natural treatment for bed bugs in hair. Almond oil has been used as a remedy since ancient times, and its effectiveness is backed up by scientific research. - Apply the almond oil to your hair generously and massage it through with your fingers from roots to tips before going to sleep -This will have the effect of suffocating bed bugs and other insects -Leave the oil in overnight for best results -Rinse your hair with shampoo to remove the almond oil in the morning. Infestations: Effective Solutions and Pest Removal If after trying natural remedies for bed bugs, you still can't get rid of the pests and have decided to use chemicals, there are some things that you need to know. You should always wear protective gloves when applying pesticides (as well as a mask) and be careful not to spray any chemical substances on surfaces that may come into contact with your skin or eyes and avoid breathing the fumes. This is important because you may be risking the development of skin sensitization, breathing problems or damage to eyes. If you are a homeowner, it is probably safer to call professional bed bug exterminators to do the job for you. Alternatively, ask your landlord if they can make arrangements. The reason I say this is because any chemicals that you use to kill bed bugs, if not handled properly, can cause harm to yourself or your family. If applied incorrectly it may also result in pesticide residues on surfaces and furnishings which could be harmful for days afterwards. Instead of using potentially dangerous pesticides get a professional bed bug exterminator who will come into your home with their equipment to do the job. This will ensure that the bed bugs are removed safely and in a way that is least likely to have any harmful side effects on you or your family members who might come into contact with them. So in addition to treating the scalp, you should take a step further and rid the bugs from your entire home using bug sprays and other means that are shown to work well. FAQs Do bedbugs wash off in the shower? Bed bugs generally don't like water or extreme heat, so using products such as bed bug shampoo and combs can drive off an infestation. Do bed bugs cause alopecia? As an infestation can cause stress, itching and secondary issues like hair loss, you may want to check with your doctor if your concerns persist. Is it possible for a bed bug to make their home around your private parts? Generally speaking, bed bugs are able to hold on, whether on your head or pubic hair. However, if you do have a bed bug infestation and find them on pubic hair, it is best to take a shower and wash them out straight away. Do bedbugs hide on the scalp? Adult bed bugs are easy to detect because they're visible to the naked eye. They also have a reddish brown colour, so depending on your hair colour, they will be more noticeable than others beneath it. References: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/top-10-myths-about-bed-bugs/