Like most homeowners, you have probably already heard about bed bugs and might even know someone who has had to deal with these pests in the past. Just thinking about having bed bugs likely makes you shudder because those pests have a bad reputation for being disgusting since they feed on human blood.
But, just like other homeowners, you don’t really think about bed bugs much unless you hear something about them on TV or from someone you know. Most people who know something about bed bugs will tell you that they are a nuisance and not really dangerous at all, but is that really true? While it is true that bed bugs are not known to transmit any disease to human beings, they do bite humans in order to get to our blood and those bites cause red, itchy welts that can become infected if scratched uncontrollably; plus, some people have been known to have allergic reactions to bed bug bites so they are definitely more than a nuisance. Some people have argued that the reason behind bed bugs not transmitting diseases to humans is that they need us to survive; but the fact is that bed bugs can feed on other animals and not just humans, so they would probably be OK without us. We are simply easier targets for bed bugs than other animals because of our exposed skin.
Things to know about bed bug bites
Bed bugs are quite small and you might not notice them at all even if you look around your bed for them. Most people do not even realize that they have a bed bug infestation until they start to get bitten by them. You might wake up one morning and suddenly feel itching in various places such as your arms or legs. Once you scratch and look at where you are scratching you will notice red welts that are the telltale sign of bed bug bites. Still, most people in this situation will not immediately think of bed bugs and just think that they were bitten by some flying insects. But as the days go by and you keep getting bitten you might start to notice small blood stains on your bedding. Once you suspect that you have bed bugs, the best thing to do is to call a professional company in your area such as A1 Bed Bug Exterminator for help. The red welts or bumps that result from bed bug bites can last weeks and will be itchy all of the time, meaning that people will scratch them so much that they can tear off the skin and eventually infect the area, which will most likely require medical attention.
Where do bed bugs come from?
Hotels, motels, hostels, and other places where visitors spend the night are usually blamed for bedbugs, but bedbugs can be found just about anywhere. But it can be argued that the two most common ways that residential homes get bed bugs are when people travel and pick up bed bugs at a hotel, and when people buy used furniture that is hiding bed bugs. Bed bugs are really good at hiding because of their size and flat bodies, so they can easily stay out of sight in luggage, clothes, and furniture.
You simply will not know that they have hitched a ride into your home until they start to bite you. Bed bugs will wait until it is late at night and you are sleeping to feast on your blood; even worse, they inject an anesthetic into their victims so that there is no way that they can possibly feel the bite. Once you even suspect that you have bed bugs in your home, you have to get rid of them quickly.
Getting rid of bed bugs yourself
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they can get rid of bed bugs on their own and they simply end up wasting time and money. The first step that people take when they try to get rid of bed bugs themselves is to wash all their bedding thoroughly but this hardly ever has any effect at all for one simple reason: bed bugs are not just on your bed. Bed bugs will hide in dark crevices, your clothing, and other areas of your home so it is virtually impossible for you to get rid of them without professional assistance. Contact your A1 Bed Bug Exterminator | Pest Control in St Louis
