Unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit disease. However, these pests enter homes and feed on the blood of humans and other host animals like pets.
Bites can result in itchy skin rashes, insomnia, and anxiety for affected residents. To make matters worse, bed bugs often resist pesticides, which makes removal difficult.
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These flat, oval-shaped insects measure about one-fourth of an inch long. Their eggs and juveniles are even tinier and may be tough to spot.
After a fresh blood meal, bed bugs may appear reddish-brown to almost black in color. Their waste leaves dark spots and blood streaks on surfaces.
Because they rely on humans for their meals, these insects tend to stay close to people. Bed bugs often hide in dark furniture crevices, fabric folds, and mattress seams during the day and come out to feed at night.
They may also infest public spaces like airports and hotels. In apartment buildings, bed bugs in one unit can quickly spread to others.
Are bed bugs known to enter homes or yards?
Infestations typically start when people bring bed bugs into their homes by accident. The pests can hide in secondhand fabrics and furniture or cling to clothing and belongings.
A hotel room with a bed bug problem can lead to a few of the hitchhiking pests stowing away in an unsuspecting traveler’s luggage.
Do bed bugs harm people or property?
Bed bug bites frequently cause painful, itchy rashes on the skin. People with specific allergies may have more serious reactions.
The pests also create a great deal of anxiety for homeowners. Infestations take hold rapidly throughout a house and often reoccur without proper treatment.
Washing and drying infested items with high heat can help get rid of bed bugs, though this approach is not helpful for large or delicate items. Disposing of or thoroughly cleaning infested furniture is also key.
Carefully checking luggage after travel and inspecting secondhand purchases is critical to avoid bed bugs. Vacuum regularly and reduce clutter to give the pests fewer places to hide.
Even with preventative measures, bed bug infestations usually require professional assistance to remove.
This type of pest control is not available in all markets. Please contact your nearest Critter Control location to see if traditional pest control service is available in your area.