Do bed bugs spread disease?
Bed bugs, unlike other blood sucking insects, have not been linked with spreading disease. Their bites may, however, cause an itchy sensation, which if scratched excessively can lead to a secondary infection.
In which countries are bed bugs found?
Bed bugs are found virtually all over the world. They have spread throughout human history to inhabit human dwellings in every continent. With the existence of heating in homes, they have been able to survive even in the most frigid countries.
Where do bed bugs live?
Despite what their name implies, bed bugs do not always live in peoples beds. They are found living very close to their host, usually within 8 ft, but not necessarily in the bed. Bed bugs live in small hard to reach places where their body is in contact with multiple surfaces such as under the seams of a mattress, inside wall outlets, behind baseboards and beneath floors to name a few.
Click here to learn how you can detect bed bugs in your home.
What are some telltale signs of a bed bug infestation?
- visually seeing bed bugs crawling near your bed
- small red bite marks on your skin that appear after a nights sleep
- bed bug exoskeletons that are shed while molting into a new phase of life
- tiny rusty-colored blood stains on your bed sheets due to their feces
How do bed bugs invade homes?
Bed bugs are very good at moving around without being noticed. The most common way they invade a home is by hitching a ride on their new hosts clothing or baggage. Due to their tiny size it is very unlikely that you would notice one of them has latched on. Once inside your home they will find a comfortable place to live near your bed and begin replicating. With each female laying up to 6 eggs per day, bed bugs can become a big problem in no time.
What is the best way to get rid of bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a very difficult pest to exterminate and any extermination effort should only be conducted by a qualified bed bug exterminator or you face making the problem much worse. Several methods can be used to exterminate them including pesticides, heat treatments or a combination of the two. Only a professional exterminator will know all the areas of the home that need to be treated and will be able to come up with the best plan for eradicating them from your home.
How can I prevent a bed bug infestation?
There are definitely some things you can be aware of that will significantly reduce your chances of having a bed bug infestation but due to their ability to go unnoticed at first, there is always a possibility of having bed bugs infest your home. Here are some quick tips for minimizing your chance of an infestation:
- keep your bedroom tidy, reducing areas where they can hide
- inspect all your clothing and luggage when you return from a trip
- wash and dry your clothing in high heat when returning from a trip
- inspect your clothing and baggage after taking public transit
Do bed bugs pose any serious health risks?
Aside from some itching and possible allergic reactions, bed bugs do not pose any physical harm to their hosts. They can, however, cause psychological implications in the form of stress, anxiety, insomnia and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. This is due to the fact that once you discover them you have to continue living with them until you can have them exterminated knowing that they will feed on your blood while you sleep.
To learn more about bed bug dangers, check out this article.