All About Bedbug Symptoms
Prior to World War II, bedbugs were a rampant problem in our society. However, in the 40's and 50's, the introduction of DDT and the improvement in sanitation wiped out most of the bed bugs. These pests were virtually unheard of until recently, when increased travel to and from infested regions like Africa, Asia and South America and the banning of harmful DDT has caused bed bugs to reappear. Unlike cockroaches, the cleanliness of an area has nothing to do with bed bug infestation. Bed bugs search for warm blooded creatures like animals and humans to feed on. Because bed bugs prefer to feed on sleeping people and pets, they are often found living in upholstered furniture like couches and most commonly in mattresses. A bed bug bite is painless and usually undetected by the victim, until an itchy, red bump similar to a mosquito bite forms on the skin. So how can you tell if you've got bed bugs? You'll need to perform a thorough inspection of the area. Bed bug infestation is characterized by dark spotting on your mattress or furniture which is actually dried excrement. In this area, you'll also find molted skin, eggs, and shells, even though these things may be hard to spot. Another characteristic is small spots of blood on furniture and walls. Severe infestation may even result in an unpleasant odor. Bed bugs can multiply quickly and spread from room to room. Apartments, hotels and motels are also prime locations for bed bug infestations, and bed bugs in one apartment or room can quickly and easily spread to adjacent apartments and rooms. That's why it's absolutely crucial for you to take care of the problem as soon as it occurs. Of course, good cleaning habits like regular vacuuming can help control bed bugs, but often, you'll need the services of a qualified pest removal professional. How much these services will cost will depend upon the company you choose, the level of infestation and the methods of extermination used. If your mattress is where the bed bug problem is occurring,
then you may need to get rid of your box springs and bedding.
However, your bed may be salvaged with thorough laundering and
steam cleaning, as well as a good spraying with safe
pesticides. |
