An overview of bed bugs from a pest control professional
What about bed bugs?
One of the most feared parasites, bed bugs are a torment to find. They spread quickly and are not demanding when it comes to sucking blood. From roadside motels to five-star hotels, anywhere can get in trouble. Here are some facts about bed bugs, as well as how to detect and treat an infestation.
(It’s not that fun) Fun facts
Cimex lectularius, also known as bed bugs, are reddish-brown in color. They are tiny, 1 to 7 mm in size, and flat, oval in shape. Pulled from their hiding places by the carbon dioxide emitted through the breath of humans and animals, they live on the blood of sleeping victims. Although they take between 5 and 15 minutes to feed, they can survive for months on a single meal. They are found all over the world, in all settings. Although they produce annoying bites, they are not known to spread any disease and pose no known long-term physical threat to victims. Also, unlike many pests that die or hibernate during colder temperatures, bed bugs are quite hardy, capable of surviving in freezing temperatures of up to 120 degrees.
Brotherhood of the traveling bedbugs?
For the most part, you will find bed bugs in and around bedrooms. They hide during the day in places like mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dressing tables, cracks or crevices inside, behind wallpaper or any other clutter or object around the bed. Although they like to stay within eight feet of the sleeping area, they are quite capable of traveling with a host. They can get into the seams of luggage and folded clothes, accompanying them during the trip. This makes diligence when traveling very important.
If you are traveling by hotel, cruise ship, plane, Airbnb, bus, train, guesthouse or any other public accommodation, it is recommended that you check for bed bugs before sleeping or sitting on the bed. The best way to check a mattress is to lift the sheets from one corner of the bed, looking for blood, strange colored spots or spots, strange odors, or any other abnormal physical excrement. Never leave your bags or sit on a bed before checking.
I’ve been a bit!
Bed bug bites can often look a lot like mosquito bites, that is, red bumps, except they are slightly smaller. They can be random or in a straight line and take a few days to develop. Known side effects of these common pests include insomnia and anxiety. After a few days, they can cause moderate to severe itching for some. Others don’t even realize they’ve been bitten, making infestations quite difficult to tackle at times.
So, you have an infestation …
Do not panic! You have done nothing wrong and this problem can be fixed. If you are a tenant, it is advisable that you contact your landlord immediately if you suspect an infestation. If you are a home or business owner, you should contact an experienced pest control professional directly at 877-DEAD-BUG. Expert help is the best way to eliminate the problem of bed bugs, as these pests are elusive and often extremely difficult to eradicate without outside intervention.