Finding bed bugs in your hair can be unsettling. This guide provides clear, actionable advice on how bed bugs interact with hair, how to remove them, and how to manage a potential infestation.
Understanding Bed Bugs and Hair
Bed bugs are small, apple seed-sized insects that primarily feed on human blood at night. While they may briefly crawl onto hair or skin to feed, they are not adapted to living in human hair like lice or fleas. Their flat, oval bodies and lack of specialized claws make it difficult for them to cling to hair strands. Instead, they prefer undisturbed, dark, and secluded hiding spots such as mattress seams, bed frames, and wall cracks.
After feeding, which can last from 3 to 12 minutes, bed bugs retreat to their hiding spots to digest their meal. They inject an anesthetic during their bite, so bites are often not felt immediately. This makes it unlikely for them to remain on a person’s body or in their hair for extended periods. Therefore, finding a bed bug in your hair is a temporary occurrence, not a sign of them nesting there.
Immediate Steps for Removal
If you discover a bed bug in your hair, the primary goal is physical removal. Gently remove the visible bug and dispose of it, ideally by flushing it down a toilet. Following this, a thorough washing of your hair with regular shampoo and conditioner is recommended to dislodge any other potential bugs or debris.
Combing through your hair with a fine-toothed comb can help ensure no other bugs are present. Using a strong stream of water during rinsing can also aid in dislodging any remaining insects. It is important to avoid using harsh chemicals, insecticides, or lice treatments on your scalp, as these are ineffective against bed bugs and can cause skin irritation.
Addressing the Infestation Source
Finding a bed bug on your person, including in your hair, indicates a larger infestation within your living environment. Bed bugs hide in various locations near human resting areas, such as mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, furniture joints, electrical outlets, or under loose wallpaper. Signs of an infestation include reddish stains on bedding, small dark spots of bed bug excrement, pale yellow eggs, and shed skins.
Initial steps to address the source involve reducing clutter, which eliminates hiding spots, and thoroughly vacuuming suspected areas. All bedding, clothing, and washable items that may be infested should be immediately placed in sealed plastic bags and washed in hot water, then dried on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes to kill all life stages of bed bugs. Mattress and box spring encasements can also be used to trap any bugs inside, eventually leading to their demise.
When to Seek Professional Help
Bed bug infestations are challenging to eradicate due to their resilience and ability to hide in tiny crevices. While individuals can take initial steps, persistent or widespread infestations often require professional intervention. Bed bugs reproduce quickly, and even a small number can rapidly lead to a large population.
Professional pest control services have specialized knowledge and access to effective tools and treatments, including heat treatments and targeted insecticides, which are necessary for complete eradication. Contact a professional exterminator promptly if you notice clear signs of an infestation, if the problem recurs after self-treatment, or if the infestation appears extensive.