Yuma Pest Blog
You’ve most likely heard the saying, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” after being tucked into bed as a child. Maybe you thought nothing of it at the time, thinking that it was just something that your parents made up. However, if you’ve ever experienced bed bug bites at all in your life, then you know that it’s no joke! Bed bugs not only cause physical distress, but they can cause havoc in your home due to the fact that they can hide virtually anywhere. Keep reading for more information on bed bugs and how to handle an infestation.
What Are Bed Bugs?
These pests are tiny, brown in color and have a flat appearance. They feed mostly on human blood as their host sleeps, which is why they are usually found in your mattress. However, they have also been known to feed on your pets as well. Unfortunately, bed bugs have been coming back and have been continually increasing in private homes, apartments, dormitories, health facilities and even places like movie theaters. Even worse, they are able to live without feeding for several months and they thrive in dark, cool places. They will hide in walls, bed frames and mattresses and in tiny cracks and crevices making them difficult to track.
Where Do They Come From?
There is no known source of where bed bugs originate, but they can enter into your home through luggage, clothing or used furniture. You may have heard that bed bugs can be spread through the sharing of beds at hotels, hospitals or dormitories and unfortunately this is true. This is why when you return from an overnight trip, it is suggested that you look through your luggage to make sure that there are no bed bugs. Still, bed bugs can be transported from place to place by people that are unknowingly hosts. Therefore, if your neighbor has bed bugs, you may be susceptible to them as well.
How Do You Handle a Bed Bug Infestation?
You will know that you have a bed bug problem when you find yourself with several small, red irritating bumps on your skin. These are the site of the bites. You may also notice tiny trails of blood along your bedsheets, or you may see bed bugs and their excrement embedded inside of your mattress. While do-it-yourself treatments may suggest heat treatments, as bed bugs are killed by excessive heat, you should really leave it up to a pest control professional. Bed bug infestations are very difficult to exterminate on your own, and a pest control company will know exactly how to treat the problem.
If you are experiencing a bed bug problem, contact us at Yuma Pest today!