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About Bed BugsThe stigma of having bed bugs is enormous. It's a lot like having lice in your hair. People think you are dirty and live an unhygienic lifestyle, and they aren't going to want to have anything much to do with you. While they are commonly considered to be bugs that haunt poorer communities and areas in tropical and sub-tropical regions where humans have established their homes, in fact bed bugs are found all over the world, including cooler temperature regions. The truth is that wherever humans can live in comfort, so too can bed bugs. Where do bed bugs come from?If you live in a cluttered, unhygienic environment, you are writing an invitation to Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug. This is not because this horrid little bug is attracted to grime and dirt, but rather that it seeks warmth and food. Like many other disgusting and unsanitary pests, the bed bug exists and preys on us humans for survival. It sucks our blood and then multiplies rapidly. If that sounds revolting, be sure that it is! But this doesn't totally answer the question. Where do bed bugs come from? Like many other bugs, the common human bed bug has been preying on humans for centuries. Like humans who evolved from being cave dwellers to home owners, these bugs have moved from caves to houses. Where humans are, you will find bed bugs along with a multitude of other pests that we need to understand to be able to control and ultimately eliminate. The problem is that bed bugs are tiny, nocturnal and incredibly elusive. They are also easily transported in anything from furniture to clothes and can hide in tiny cracks just about anywhere. While common human bed bugs rely on blood to survive, adult bugs can survive for months without any food. Fortunately, if females don't have food after two weeks, they won't lay any more eggs, and therefore won't be able to reproduce. How did I get bed bugsIf you are reading this, chances are you think - or know - that you have bed bugs in your home. So how did it happen? Bed bugs have been described as "very successful hitchhikers". While they don't latch onto human bodies like lice and ticks do, they do attach themselves to our possessions, and specifically things like upholstered furniture, bedding and baggage. Since they can survive for months without sucking our blood, we won't even realize they have joined us on our journey. That's the scary part. But why? The answer to this question is because given the blood they need to begin reproducing, they'll bite you, and if you don't take action to get rid of the eggs and unwelcome hitchhiking guests, you may quickly be overwhelmed. While you can see cockroaches, you normally won't spot bed bugs – and cockroaches don't bite! How do you know if you have bed bugs?Chances are the first clue you will have that bed bugs have moved in with you will be when you get bitten for the first time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) you're likely to be bitten just before dawn, before it starts to get light. You probably won't see the bug, and chances are there will be three little bites in a row. They will be really itchy and your skin will become red and swollen around the bites. You could end up with a secondary infection. You will also know you have bed bugs if you spot any signs of bed bug infestation. So keep your eyes peeled. How to check for bed bugsWhile it is true that bed bugs are difficult to find - they usually win every hide-and-seek game they play - there are places you can check for them. These include upholstered furniture and any cracks and crevices in the structure of your house. It is particularly important to look for bed bugs if you have been bitten or suspect they are lurking nearby. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out if you are staying away from home, even if the establishment you have chosen looks pristine.
Giveaway signs include:
Otherwise call in pest control. |