By Mashum Mollah
Bed bugs are tiny parasites that survive by feeding on the blood of humans and animals. They have been found everywhere—in homes, hotel rooms and airports and in people’s luggage, clothing, and other personal items. While they do not pose a serious health threat, bed bugs can cause a severe allergic reaction in some people and significant psychological distress by simply being present in one’s personal space.
Bed Bugs: 12 Things You Should Know to Prevent an Infestation
- Bed bugs live, mate and lay eggs in the cracks and crevices of a space where they can easily find a host (that is, a human or an animal). They can be found in the folds of mattresses, upholstery, and carpets and behind furniture, headboards, and wallpaper. They can travel from one place to another hiding in backpacks, car seats, luggage, shoes, and clothing.
- Bed bugs stay hidden during the day and come out at night to feed on your blood, but they can survive for months without a blood meal.
- A bed bug bite can cause mild itchiness and redness, which can be treated with an over-the-counter cream or lotion. Antihistamines and adequate medical help must be sought in case of an allergic reaction.
- You can identify a bed bug infestation in your bedroom or hotel room by looking for bug spots (reddish-brown bug feces) and bug shells (outer skin shed by the pests).
- Cleanliness and hygiene don’t do much to prevent bed bugs. But keeping a clean home will definitely make it easier for you to spot the signs of an infestation.
- Bed bugs give out a distinct sweet musty smell, which is often used by expert bed bug exterminators to detect an infestation.
- If you’re looking to hire bed bug services Boise, remember that a bed bug treatment is effective only if it will evict the eggs and nymphs alongside the adult bugs and also destroy nests and colonies in cracks and crevices.
- Bed bugs don’t have wings, so they cannot fly, unlike some other home insects, but they move swiftly and can cover long distances inside your home to reach a host.
- A typical blood meal by a bed bug can last as long as ten minutes. The parasite sucks blood by piercing the skin as a person sleeps.
- Bed bugs can be hard to detect by only looking for bites, as these can be painless at first and can take up to two weeks to develop. Therefore, it’s important to inspect your surroundings to spot the bugs.
- If you suspect an infestation but don’t know what to do about it, have a professional exterminator examine your home as they’ll know what to look for and where.
- If you detect an infestation, wash exposed bedding, curtains and clothes in warm water. Vacuum the area, have the crevices and cracks repaired, and hire a professional pest control service that will have the means to wipe out the infestation and prevent a recurrence.
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