If you have had bed bugs before, you know what a nightmare it can be to know that you are the blood meal for hundreds of parasitic insects. Contrary to popular belief, however, beg bugs are often not as dangerous as they sound and professional help with bed bug removal is only a phone call away. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about bed bugs.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are tiny, low profile, a cross between red and brown, and one of the most unwanted guests of all time. They are about the size of a dime. They are extremely good at blending in with their surroundings and can be difficult to spot unless they are specifically being looked for or they are biting you. They can go months without feeding so they may be present without you even knowing it.
Are Bed Bugs Attracted by Filth?
Despite what many people believe, the presence of bed bugs is not determined by the cleanliness of living conditions. Bed bugs are found all over the world. Although they tend to appear more in third world countries with poor hygiene, they have also been sighted in high-class hotels that have a reputation for cleanliness. Bed bugs like to hang out around sleeping quarters, such as in apartments, hotels, shelters, cruise ships, dorm rooms, buses, and trains. They typically hide in mattress seams, bed spring boxes, headboards, bed frames, behind wall paper, and other objects and clutter near beds such as suit cases and clothes. Even if you take a shower every day and wash your bed sheets frequently, you can still deal with bed bugs at some point. Those who travel frequently actually have a higher risk of bringing home bed bugs than those who never leave the house.
Do Bed Bugs Pose Health Risks?
Fortunately, bed bugs are not considered to be a public health or medical hazard. Bed bugs do not transfer diseases and can be considered as only an annoyance because they strike at night when you are fast asleep and cannot detect them. Avoid scratching for relief as you may incur a skin infection.
How Do I Know if I Have Bed Bugs?
The easiest way to spot bed bugs is to look for bite marks on the arms, legs, neck, face, and hands. Bite marks sometimes don’t present themselves until two weeks after an attack so look for other clues such as rust-colored blood spots or small, bloody fecal material on mattresses and other furniture. Other signs include a sweet musty odor, bed bug exoskeletons, and beg bugs in the fold of bedding and furniture.
How Are Bed Bugs Treated?
Bed bugs can be treated by insecticide spraying by a professional exterminator. An exterminator will also recommend other treatment techniques such as bagging and laundering all affected items, vacuuming, and discarding infected items. If you have bed bug bites on your skin, try to avoid scratching, take an antihistamine, and apply antiseptic lotions and creams.
What Can I Do to Prevent Bed Bugs?
The best way to prevent bed bugs is through regular inspection each time you travel. Check your clothing, suit cases, and other items for beg bugs before bringing them in the home. Also be cautious about allowing frequent travelers into your home without inspection.
For more information about beg bugs, contact an exterminator near you today.
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