Bed bugs are some of the most dreaded pests in households, apartments, and other residential spaces across the nation. They feed on human blood, stubbornly surviving despite even the most extreme cleaning measures, which means getting rid of them is a big task that no resident wants to take on.
Knowledge is power when it comes to preventing and treating bed bugs, though. To that end, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has compiled some quick tips to help you address the problem.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
First and foremost, to say that getting bed bugs means you aren’t clean or tidy is a myth. In fact, some of the cleanest and most luxurious residential spaces have become infested with bed bugs.
These persistent parasites are found all over the world, ranging from North America to Asia and Europe, and any place with mattresses, box springs, and other sleeping quarters can become infested. All it takes is one stray bed bug to start an infestation near peoples’ sleeping spaces.
How Do Bed Bugs Hide and Survive?
Bed bugs take up residence near mattresses, couches, and other furniture where people sleep or sit often. They can easily hide due to their small size, often staying out of sight in the nooks and crannies of these fixtures.
With that said, it’s essential to check these particular areas when looking for signs of an infestation:
- Headboard
- Bed frame
- Box spring
- Underneath your mattress
- In nearby clutter
- Underneath couch cushions
- In wall corners and crevices
Bed bugs usually linger around eight feet of human sleeping spaces, but they can travel as far as 100 feet in one night.
What Health Problems and Diseases Can Bed Bugs Cause?
While bed bugs themselves don’t carry specific diseases, they can pose other health problems. Bed bug bites create itchy welts that most people find bothersome. Scratching them can break the skin and make you vulnerable to skin infections as a result.
However, if you’re allergic to bed bug bites, you may need medical intervention. Large infestations can lead to hundreds of bites at once, especially if the pests have fully infiltrated your sleeping spaces. Always seek medical attention if you suspect you’re allergic to bed bug bites. You can apply over-the-counter itch creams or take an antihistamine to manage the symptoms short term.
How Do I Know if I Have Bed Bugs?
You must check carefully for signs of an infestation. Bite marks take up to two weeks to show up on your skin, so it’s best to look for other signs, such as:
Small Blood Spots on Your Mattress
When bed bugs are actively feeding on humans, they excrete blood-filled waste that can leave tiny blood spots all over the surfaces they crawl along. It’s easiest to notice these spots on a mattress because most mattresses are white.
Bed Bug Exoskeletons
Bed bugs molt and shed their exoskeletons during their life cycle, which means they leave behind a shell-like figure that you can easily spot on your mattress or other furniture. Bed bug exoskeletons are usually lighter in color than the bugs themselves, ranging from orange to red or light brown.
An Unusual Scent in Your Room
There’s a telltale odor that comes with longstanding bed bug infestations. It smells sickly sweet and musty, almost like a rotten berry or other type of fruit. However, once this scent is detectable, you’re often dealing with a very large infestation. You should seek professional pest control services right away.
Bed Bugs Crawling Into Folds and Crevices
You may be able to spot live bed bugs in the folds of your mattress or between your mattress and box spring. They’re very small but are visible to the human eye, being dark reddish brown and up to a quarter-inch long.
What Do I Do if I Have a Bed Bug Infestation?
Professional pest control services are the best remedy for bed bug infestations, especially since these creatures can survive many extreme cleaning measures and can go without feeding for over a year. Only extremely high temperatures will kill bed bugs, and you’ll need a professional to clean out the remains from your belongings to prevent re-infestation.
Prevent These Pests From Taking Over Your Space
No matter what residential purposes your living space serves, it’s important to keep bed bugs out for good. Once these pests have infested the area, it’s difficult to kill them off and prevent them from returning. Know the signs so you can take action when necessary.
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