Sleeping With The Enemy: Confronting Bed Bug Infestations

Ironic Facts About Bed Bugs

While bed bugs get a lot of attention, there are still many misconceptions about these pests. Here are some things you need to learn about this invasive critter.

They don’t just live in beds as the bed bugs can make themselves at home anywhere from your electrical outlets to your sofa.

Bed bugs don’t care whether your house is clean or dirty, as they can live in any home. What they want more than anything is a location that offers plenty of hosts for them to feed.

Bed bugs are one of the most resistant to treatment, so it’s often challenging to get rid of them. Their will to live and ability to survive over a month without a meal is why you need a pest control professional to help eradicate your problem.

Most infestations go unnoticed for months until the numbers are so out of control that the bugs run out of places to hide. The more bugs that are living in your home increases the chances of an encounter for you.

While you might not like the weather too hot or cold, the bed bug can live in various temperatures. From an icy winter morn to summer heat, you need to get temperatures over 118°F or below -13°F for an extended period to eradicate eggs and live bugs.

Why Do Bed Bugs Invoke Such Fear?

Many people call these bugs the “most feared” based on personal experiences and cultural factors. The truth is the nature of the bed bug is one of the things that sends spine-tingling chills down your back. First, the thought that something can feed on your blood while you sleep is unsettling. Here are some other reasons why people dread bedbugs so much.

Their Nocturnal Habits

Knowing that something might lurk in the shadows waiting to nibble on you while you sleep, cancels out the “good night, sleep tight” adage. Bed bugs are nocturnal, so the most opportune time to come out is at night. You might see one during the day if you disturb their hiding spot or the population has grown to a substantial amount.

The Bites are Unsightly

Just the thought of sharing your bed with blood-sucking insects can be highly distressing. A bite from one of these tiny critters can pack a wallop. You may think you have a mosquito, flea, or spider bite when it first occurs. Naturally, these would be the most common reasons for the small welts you don’t recognize until they’re itching you like mad.

Their Presence Feels Like an Invasion and Violation

If you’ve ever been robbed or had someone break into your home, you know how it makes you feel violated and invaded. Ironically, these little bugs have the same potential on a different scale. They can move in and refuse to leave without a fight. Sharing your space with something as nasty as a bed bug can make you feel violated.

Since bed bugs feed on blood, they congregate in the areas closest to you. Exterminators often find them in couches, beds, recliners, or anywhere you like to hang out. They can even crawl into the crevices of your nightstands and various cracks in the walls. The invasive tendencies of these bugs violate your privacy and comfort.

The Social Stigma

Many people don’t reach out for help because they fear judgment. Since the bed bug doesn’t care how much money you make or what neighborhood you call home, they will move in anywhere they can get a meal. Some folks try to handle such measures by themselves because they don’t want to have people see a pest control vehicle in the driveway.

It’s a common fear that the word about their bug issues will get out to the public. However, the bed bug isn’t a critter you should battle alone. They reproduce way too quickly, so there’s no room for error.

The Difficulty in Eradication

There’s a reason why the bedbug is ranked high on the pest scale with termites and roaches, as they’re extremely resilient. Part of the reason they can be so resistant is their ability to make their bodies completely flat and hide in the smallest spaces. Attempting to get rid of them can make you frustrated and anxious, as many feel overwhelmed by the persistence of the infestation.

There’s a Psychological Impact

Many psychological effects come along with a bed bug infestation. For instance, you might develop a fear of bugs in general or be bitten. There’s stress over the financial ramifications of pest control and the battle to control your home. The real struggle can put you in a state of fear and unease.

Places That You Can Pick Up Bed Bugs

As pest control professionals, one thing we often hear about bed bugs is that people have no clue how they got them. The truth is that you can bring one home with you from just about anywhere. The bed bug is a skilled hitchhiker, and they will take whatever opportunity they can to get a good meal.

Since bed bugs need a host for food, they can hide in the seams of your clothes without you being any the wiser. Sadly, you don’t need to be the host to have one get in your personal space, as they can travel much like lice from one person to another. Here are some of the most common places where you can pick up a stray bed bug to bring home with you:

• Hotels – Even 5-star hotels fight bed bugs because of the rapid turnover rate in their guests. A study by the Journal of Medical Entomology found that one out of every five hotel rooms is infested in this country. So, whether it’s a 2-star dive or 4-star lodging with all the frills, bed bugs invade them all.

• Public Transportation – You’re at risk if you use public transportation like buses, planes, trains, or ridesharing programs. Though it’s rare to find them in these places, they can leave one person and hang out in the upholstery of the seats or luggage compartments. Sitting in an area with a bug nearby can allow them to latch onto you.

• Shared Living Spaces – If you live in a townhouse, apartment, or college dorm, your chances of getting bed bugs increase. The more people that live in one communal space, the higher the rates of infestation. Even laundry facilities are places with high traffic and the possibility of bed bugs.

• Secondhand Stores/Yard Sales – Most people love to get a bargain, which often means going to thrift stores and yard sales to find them. Sadly, these places are crawling with opportunities for bed bugs to hide. It’s best to leave any items out in the sun and let nature help you purge any unwanted critters before bringing them inside.

• Your Job – The probability of picking up bed bugs in these locations is lower, but there’s still a risk. If you have lounges or places with a sofa and chairs for you to sit, it’s possible they can hide inside the lining.

• Medical Facilities – Nursing homes tend to have a massive problem with bed bugs because there are so many people in and out of these locations. Visiting a loved one in a hospital, nursing home, or even going to the doctor can increase your chances of an encounter.

It will help if you take preventative measures such as inspecting hotel rooms, being cautious with used furniture, regularly checking your living space, and practicing good hygiene to help reduce the risk of picking up bed bugs.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in Your Home

How do you know if you have a bed bug infestation in your home? Thankfully, many signs can help you to sniff out their presence before they overrun your abode. Here are the most common methods:

1. Use a Black Light Flashlight

Many hotel staff now carry a black light flashlight when cleaning. These little lights help them to see all sorts of things that are not visible to the naked eye. They can see pet urine and blood splatters that might be faint and hard to detect. You’ll be surprised at what you find when you shine one of these lights on the underside of your mattress.

2. Random Bug Bites

If you or someone else who lives in the home has bug bites for no apparent reason, it might be bed bugs. They’re often mistaken for flea bites as they’re small, little red welts that are incredibly itchy. Unlike flea bites, bed bugs bite in clusters and often leave a line pattern. The saliva from the bug can cause an allergic reaction to some folks.

3. Exoskeletons Scattered About

Bed bugs molt, so they will shed their exoskeletons and leave them around your home. You’ll find these in the area where they’re the most concentrated.

4. Live Bugs

Once you’ve many bed bugs in your home, you might see them. Even if you have a few, it’s still a probability that one might scurry by. These bugs are tiny when they haven’t eaten, and many exterminators compare them to the size of an apple seed.

They’re often confused with stink bugs, which are oval, flat, and brown. However, after they feed, their engorged body usually takes on a red hue as they’re full of blood.

5. Blood Splatters

As bed bugs grow, you won’t need a flashlight to see blood splatters. Simply picking up the corner of your mattress might unearth some shocking discoveries. These spots are often dark and rusty and can be found on your sheets, mattresses, or upholstery.

6. Musty Scent

If you walk into your bedroom and it smells like a musty basement, it’s a sign that you have a problem. You could have a mold problem coming from an on-suite, or you may have a bed bug issue. The smell of dried blood and the fecal matter these bugs excrete can leave a less-than-pleasant aroma in their dwellings.

Do you notice any of the signs of a bed bug infestation? It’s always better to be safe than sorry and get help quickly. We can promptly assess and address the situation so you can retake control of your home. Our team of experts will devise a comprehensive treatment plan to eliminate them from your environment. If you suspect there’s an issue, calling a New Jersey pest control professional as soon as possible is advisable.

More comparison articles:

Boxelder bugs VS Stink bugs
Mice and rats: What’s the difference?
House Mice and Deer Mice: What’s the difference?
Termites and flying ants: What’s the difference?
Carpenter bees and bumble bees: What’s the difference?

To learn more:

Our service area
Our carpenter bee control services
Our wasp control services
Our hornet control services
Our yellow jacket control services
Six Common Ticks Found in And Around New Jersey