WHAT ARE BED BUGS?

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Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, and can live several months and in extreme cases up to a year without a meal. They like to crawl away to hide in nearby cracks, crevices, recesses of furniture, clutter, electronic equipment, and home walls during the day.

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WHERE DO BED BUGS COME FROM?

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These critters can come from anywhere. If you recently stayed in a hospital, adult-care home, hotel/Airbnb. They could also potentially come from any friends or family coming into town or a home you recently spent the night in. Unfortunately, bed bugs are great hitchhikers and will make themselves comfortable in their new home.

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CAN I GET RID OF BED BUGS MYSELF?

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The short answer is no. Products purchased in-store over the counter do not have the residual and knock-down power that commercial-grade pesticides have.

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DO BED BUGS SPREAD DISEASE?

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Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. However, sometimes the itching from their bites can lead to excessive scratching that can increase the chance of a secondary skin infection. Bed bugs are an annoyance because their presence causes itching and loss of sleep.

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A BED BUG INFESTATION?

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One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as two weeks to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area.

 

These signs include:

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• the bed bugs’ exoskeletons after molting,

• bed bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets,

• rusty-colored blood spots due to their blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture

• a sweet musty odor

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HOW ARE BED BUGS TREATED AND PREVENTED?

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Bed bug bites usually do not pose a serious medical threat. The best way to treat a bite is to avoid scratching the area and apply antiseptic creams or lotions and take an antihistamine. Bed bug infestations are commonly treated by insecticide spraying. If you suspect that you have an infestation, contact Affordable Pest and Mosquito Solutions today, we are experienced with treating bed bugs. The best way to prevent bed bugs is regular inspection for the signs of an infestation.