10/10/2024
"Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!"
Ever since we were children, we would hear that phrase spoken to us after our parents tucked us in to bed. We always thought it was a harmless nursery rhyme; something said to wish us a good night's rest and to be safe until morning. But now, as adults, we utter it to each other, and to ourselves.
As far as we have been able to discover, bed bugs have been stalking us, biting us for over 3,500 years. These little vampire parasites are thought to have originated in the caves where humans and animals lived in at that time in Europe, the Middle East, or India. At one point, between World War II and the early 1990's, they had nearly been eradicated in all developed countries. However, since the increase of immigration and international travel; expanded markets for second-hand goods; a greater focus on control of other pests; the banning of certain pesticides and increased resistance to pesticides still in use, the bed bug population has struck back harder than the Empire in Star Wars.
Now many people believe the myth that having bed bugs is a sign that you are dirty, that your residence is a pigsty, that you are poor, but that is simply not the case. While, granted, more seedy motels, low-class hotels, urban dwellings, and public transportation, are known to have an ample supply of bed bugs, in my ten years as an exterminator, I have also had to perform bed bug treatments for 5-star hotels, middle to upper-middle class homes, mansions, and cruise ships. My axiom is that no matter how clean you are, or how clean your home or business is, if pests want to get in, they'll find a way in.
So, what are the other myths associated with bed bugs?
Myth: You can't see bed bugs.
Truth: You should be able to see bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs with the naked eye.
Myth: Bed bugs transmit diseases.
Truth: There have been no cases or studies of bed bugs transmitting diseases.
Myth: Bed bugs won't come out if the lights are on.
Truth: Even though bed bugs do prefer darkness, turning on all the lights will not prevent them from biting you.
Myth: I don't have any bites so bed bugs don't like me.
Truth: Bed bug are attracted to every one due to our body heat and the carbon dioxide we produce while we sleep. Also, bed bug bites can take up to two weeks to present themselves and only do so in people who are allergic to the bites.
Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "How do I know if I have bed bugs? What should I look for?"
Well, I'm going to explain to you 5 signs that indicate that you have bed bugs in your home or business.
1. Bed bugs bite each person differently, but the most common appearances of bed bug bites include: Raised bumps in a line, zigzag or random pattern. Pimple-like bumps with a dark red center and skin tone lighter than normal surrounding it. Round bumps on your skin containing a clear fluid (blister).
2. During feeding times, bed bugs defecate often, leaving this stains on your bedding and furniture, which are reddish brown in color due to the blood they consume from us.
3. Another sign of bed bugs is finding blood on your furniture or bedding. This blood can be from either a fresh wound caused by a bed bug bite or from a bed bug being crushed during the night.
4. Bed bugs go through multiple stages of their life cycle. It can occur 5 different times, usually after a blood meal. When they go through each stage (called instars), they shed their skin and leave a hollow casing. Another warning sign of bed bugs in your house is finding their eggs or egg casings. These unfortunately can be very hard to spot as most bed bug eggs are only about a millimeter in length, but if found, they can be a clear warning sign of bed bugs.
5. Imagine throwing your sweaty gym socks in your bag, leaving them in there for a week, and then opening the bag. THAT is the smell of a bed bug infestation! It won't be as strong as first, but as the bed bug population continues to multiply, releasing pheromones into the air, the smell will be VERY similar to those sweaty gym socks.
Okay. So now you know the basics of bed bugs and what to look for. I know, bed bugs skeeve you out. Lol. You're probably itching yourself as you read this. Well, don't worry. That's what us exterminators are here for; we make those mean bugs go away.
Final Pestination, LLC
(888) 561-9011
finalpestination.com
