Learn About the Health Risks of Bed Bugs: An Overview
Bed bugs are one of the most annoying parasites you can have the misfortune of dealing with in your home. Once bed bugs make your home theirs, it can be difficult to get rid of them. However, with the right bed bug pest control team like PMi, you can take back control of your home.
What are the health risks of bed bugs? How dangerous are bed bugs? How can you get rid of them?
If you believe you may have bed bugs in your home, then it’s time to take a closer look. If you let them fester, you could be in for a rough time.
What Exactly Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that can often be found living among humans. They can be found in mattresses, cushions, pillows, and even suitcases. They take advantage of mammals while they sleep, latching on and drinking the creature’s blood while it is unconscious.
Bed bugs are tiny creatures, with adults measuring a maximum of up to 7 mm or approximately the size of an apple seed. Due to their small size and bland color, it can be difficult to know whether or not you have bed bugs in your home.
Some bed bugs rely on a variety of mammals and birds for food, while others only feed off of humans. This depends on the precise species of bed bug.
The Dangers of Bed Bugs
Many insects, especially parasitic insects, are known to transfer blood-borne diseases. Fortunately, bed bugs are not known for carrying illnesses. However, that does not mean there are no health risks of bed bugs involved.
Individuals may have different reactions to bed bug bites. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions when bit, while others may experience only mild irritation.
One of the health risks of bed bugs is that their bites can be infected if left unchecked. These infections are often secondary reactions following initial reactions to the bite itself.
The hidden health risks of bed bugs is the effect they can have on mental health. Waking up itching and scratching can drive anyone a little crazy; if you have a bed bug infestation, then you may struggle to sleep through the night. The longer you go without sleep, the worse your overall mental and physical health will get.
Do I Have Bed Bugs?
One of the most obvious signs that you have a bed bug infestation is waking up with bug bites covering your body. While this could be due to other parasitic insects, bed bugs are a big possibility. You can ask bed bugs pest control specialists for a thorough inspection of your home.
You may notice the exoskeletons of bed bugs in the morning as well. They may show up on or around your bed, couch, or pillows. These are the skins left behind during the molting process as bed bugs grow into adult size.
Living bed bugs are another clear sign of an infestation. They are most likely to be found in the folds of bedding, on your mattress, or in hidden cloth crevices in your home. If you are suffering from frequent bug bites, a thorough inspection of your home is definitely in order.
Bed bugs leave different droppings than other insects. You may notice dark markings, like ink stains on your bed sheets or furniture. These spots are bed bug fecal stains; their fecal matter is mostly blood, leading to these red splotches on or around your bed, and can lead to health risks of bed bugs.
Bed Bug Pest Control Options
Pest control for bed bugs presents interesting challenges. With the sheer amount of places that bed bugs can hide and survive, getting rid of them on your own is nearly impossible. That’s why hiring Pest Management Systems for bed bugs is crucial for avoiding the health risks of bed bugs after you locate an infestation.
If you have any items that you are certain to have been infected with, there are some first steps that you can take. Steam and wash any items you suspect have bed bugs in them. If the item is inconsequential, then you may want to consider throwing it out.
Vacuuming on and around locations where bed bugs live can also help mitigate infestations, though that alone won’t get rid of the problem entirely. Instead, it will help get rid of carcasses and potentially remove some living bed bugs. Be sure to empty the vacuum canister or throw away the vacuum bag in an outside trash bin.
Bed bug exterminators offer a wide variety of services that get rid of bed bug infestations. Rather than attempting to get rid of the infestation yourself, contact your local pest control specialist to get information on bed bug treatment costs and extermination options. They can inform you on bed bug pest control costs to find a solution that works for you.
How to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations
One of the best things you can do to prevent bed bug infestations and the health risks of bed bugs is to take a close look at any secondhand items you are considering purchasing. Mattresses, couches, and similar items should be thoroughly inspected for bed bugs. The easiest way to get an infestation is to unknowingly bring bed bugs into your home.
If you use shared laundry facilities, you should be extra cautious when cleaning your clothes. Bed bugs can be transferred from one person’s clothes to another, leading to an infestation at your house.
Vacuuming frequently is a great way to prevent the health risks of bed bugs, along with infestations from forming, especially after you’ve taken a trip somewhere. If you picked up an unexpected guest, this could help you get rid of it.
Keep Bugs Out of Your Bed
Although the health risks of bed bugs don’t pose too many serious health risks, they can still be annoying and take a toll on your mental and physical health. Once you spot a bed bug, contact Pest Management Systems to take out the infestation before it grows out of control.
Are you searching for bed bug pest control services to help with your infestation?
We’re here for you to help with the health risks of bed bugs if you have an infestation. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have about our pest control services or fill out the form below for a free estimate. We also recommend to continue reading our blog for more information on pests and pest control!
While these steps/tips will help reduce the likelihood of getting a bed bug infestation and the health risks of bed bugs, there is no guaranteed way to eliminate all risks.