Home remedies to get rid of bed bugs

Tiny creatures like bed bugs can literally wreck havoc in your house. Recently, my bed got infested with bed bugs, and I had a hard time sleeping at night. I had a stinging sensation at the back of my ears and on the feet. Next day, I was feeling itchy and spotty at the back of my ears. I clicked a picture of it with my cell phone camera. I was shocked to see three tiny bite marks. I showed it to my Mom and she instantly figured out what was wrong. 'Oh my God! Those are the bed bugs bite!', she exclaimed with a hint of worry on her face. I couldn't imagine I had bugs in my bed!

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Calling up pest-control services to get rid of bed-bugs was out of question, because I am allergic to fumes and smells of the insect sprays and other chemicals they might use. So Mom suggested we keep the mattress and the pillows in the sun. It was summer then, and the temperature was beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Perfect time to roast bed bugs!

So, we moved the pillows and the mattresses to the eighth floor my apartment building and let it stay out there in the sun for a good 7-8 hours. Thank you God, for the elevators! I also washed my bed-sheet, duvet, pillow covers and put it out in the sun to dry. We did this back to back for two days. And voila! My mattresses, pillows, pillow covers, bed-sheet and duvet were free from bed bug infestation.

I realized that in spite of maintaining highest level of hygiene, our homes get infested with bugs anyways. So, we need to be watchful for signs of their presence. On noticing any bugs, we should take prompt remedial measures.

Here are some home remedies that will surely help you get rid of bed-bugs.

• To begin with, wash the bed-sheet, pillow covers and duvets thoroughly. If possible, use hot water. Also wash mattress cover, if any. Dry it in sun. But, do read the wash instructions on them. Do not wash them in hot water or dry them in hot sun if the instructions say so.

• Apart from putting the mattress and pillows out in the sun, you can also use hot steam. This is perhaps the deadliest way to exterminate bud bugs. Many vapor steamers are available in the market these days that are used to clean floor, bathrooms, tiles walls, etc by the power of hot steam. Alternatively, you can use a steamer that is meant for ironing clothes. Steam the mattress and pillows on both the sides to eliminate the bugs. Steaming is a good option, in case the bed-bugs decide to attack your bed during monsoons and winters.

• Homes with pets like dogs and cats have an increased susceptibility to bed-bug infestation. There is quite a possibility that your pet's bed is infested with bed bugs. If so, do not hesitate to discard the mattress. Examine the surrounding area for bed-bugs and their eggs.

• Beg bugs do not feed  for longer than 8-10 minutes. Neither do they have a firm grasp on hair. If your pet is carrying bed bugs, a session of grooming outside the house shall do the trick.

• You can keep bed bugs at bay by vacuuming the mattress, pillows, carpets and frame of the bed at regular intervals, preferably, 3-4 times a week. Discard or burn the content at a safe place, preferably outside the house.

• Get a cover for your mattress if you haven't been using one. A mattress cover will prevent the bed bugs from penetrating deep into the mattress.

• Change the bed-sheets and pillow cover at regular intervals. Wash the duvets too.Wash them thoroughly everytime using a good detergent.

Beg bugs are pest. They bite and give you nasty bite marks with a stinging sensation. They deprive you of good night sleep. Do not ignore their presence. We have simple home remedies now, to eradicate them. Hygiene and vigilance are the best methods to prevent bed bugs.

Veteran Actor Pran passes away

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran Krishan Sikand (born February 12, 1920) passed away on July 12, 2013,  Friday at Mumbai's Lilawati Hospital after prolong sickness. He was 93 years old.

Pran was of late honored with Dadasaheb Phalke Award- the greatest award in the Indian Cinema, at his residence. He carved a niche for himself during his six decade-long career in the Bollywood, by the way of depicting influential negative and character roles.

Pran commenced in journey in Bollywood as a hero, but he will be commemorated for playing the vindictive baddie in blockbusters like 'Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai', 'Munimji' 'Dil Dia Dard Liya' and many more classic hits.  He took the role of a villain to an all new level. He acted in over 400 movies and won several awards for his charismatic onscreen presence.

Pran would be deeply missed and fondly remembered as one of the most cherished personalities Bollywood has ever had. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Top things to have in your handbag at all times

Whether you are just taking your carryall for a weekend out or going on a month-long vacation with tonnes of luggage, there are a few essentials that you must carry while you step out of your home. Usually guys find the idea of girls carrying a big handbag revolting. However, they often end up needing something that happens to be there in that bag. “Do you have a face-wipe in there?” “Do you have some water to drink?” Apart from the usual stuff like cell phone and make-up, there are several little things that will always come handy.

Cash

It is necessary that you carry a reasonable amount of hard-cash with you. Why?? Because the cab driver would not accept a debit card, would he? You will need cash to pay for a cab or a train fare. You must have enough money to grab a bite to eat. It is wise to carry plastic money from the viewpoint of safety. But carrying cash is equally important.

Keep some cash in a separate compartment of your handbag. Just in case a thief gets his hands on your wallet. Carry coins for using a payphone. Your cell phone battery may not last forever on some days!

Water

Always carry a bottle of water. Frequent sips of water will keep you hydrated when you are on the go.

Face-wipes and deodorant

These are one of the amazing versatile creations of man! A cool and fragrant face-wipe not only helps clean the dirt off your skin but also makes you feel fresh within a couple of minutes. A face-wipe can come handy just in case you accidentally spill little something on your clothes at lunch. A quick spray of deodorant will help conceal body odor until you get home and get fresh. It will also save the people around you from nasal-torment.

Hair accessories
You should carry a comb, a couple of hair rubber bands and hair clutchers. Hair often get messy during travelling. You can put your messy hair back in order if you have these basic things at hand.

Mint candy
For me, mint candy is a must have. I usually consume salad containing raw onion and food rich in garlic. So mint candies help keep bad breath at bay. These are very useful for occasions like an interview or a date.

A notepad and a pen

We do live in a digital era, but we still depend on our memory for some things. You might think of stuff you need to buy later from the store on your way home. Or you meet an important person and forget your business card or they do not have theirs. At such times, a notepad and a pen will serve the purpose.

A pack of tampons

I guess I do not need to explain this one.

Painkillers and band-aids

I am often asked for Aspirin. Carrying a strip of painkillers is a good idea when you or someone around you has a headache. Even a tiny bruise seems irritating. An exposed wound, no matter how small, will gather dirt and make way for an infection. Band-aids will come handy to take care of small cuts and bruises and help you take your mind off it.

Hand-sanitizer
Keep a small bottle of hand-sanitizer in your carryall. You can use it when you wish to grab a bite and don't have water and hand-wash around to cleanse your hands; or after using public transport or a public restroom.

Personal information and emergency contacts

Carry a small diary mentioning your personal information and emergency contact details of your family and friends or may be colleagues, because you cannot predict when life will throw a curve ball at you. Wouldn’t it be awful if you fall unconscious somewhere and no one knows whom to contact for you?

Camera

This is a great thing to carry when you are out on a vacation. Fun begins the moment you get started from your home. Whether it is a point-&-shoot camera or a DSLR, you should carry one. Personally, I love carrying my camera. I never know what may catch my attention.

A novel or a magazine

Carrying a novel or a magazine is a good idea. You can read it when you are travelling in a bus or a train. This will keep boredom at bay.

Snacks

Carry a pack of cookies or chips or any snack you like. You may even carry an apple or a chocolate. It is quite possible for you to feel hungry in the middle of nowhere, and there is no place around to eat at.

Pepper spray

A very useful thing just in case a rowdy subway rat decides to bother you.

A pair of sunglasses
Carry a nice pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sunlight. You definitely do not want to have a burning sensation in your eyes throughout the day.

So now you know what it takes to be geared up. Keep these little things your handbag and step out of your home with a peace of mind.