Bed bugs are pests that can make your life miserable. They’re not just a problem for those who live in your city but around the world because they travel often. Bed bugs become highly active when temperatures are in the 80s and 90s, making them very prevalent on hot North Carolina days. For this reason, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro were on Orkin’s list of the 50 most bedbug-infested cities. There are many misconceptions about bed bugs: some people believe they only show up at night or hide in beds and furniture; others think they don’t exist anymore because of modern sanitation and hygiene practices; still others assume it is safe to buy used mattresses or furniture without getting them checked out first by professionals. All these aren’t true, and in this article, we will discuss some lesser-known facts about bed bugs.
What is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs?
Once individuals stay in a hotel or even another home infested with bed bugs, they risk bringing unwanted travelers back to their own living space. Bed bugs hitchhike on people, clothing, luggage, and other personal items and accidentally trek all over when people travel. This is why transportation is commonly known as the leading cause of bed bug infestations spreading.
If you think that you’ve brought bed bugs home, you should start by checking your suitcase and your clothes. Take everything out of the suitcase and then shake it out to see if you can see any and check the seams of your clothes for any nymphs or eggs. Sweep any furniture and look behind drawers, cabinets, under beds, couches, and other oversized items that may have been touched during the time you were away from home.
They are Not Only Found in Bed
Bed bugs are often found in mattresses, but they are also common in other furniture in the home. This includes chairs, sofas, and other pieces of furniture; humans or pets can carry them to these locations. You can also find bed bugs in other places, such as libraries and schools where carriers may be present. Some suggestions on how to spot an infestation include looking for skins that have been exuded by crushed bed bugs or spots where there’s accumulated dust that could hide larger particles.
Bed Bugs are Difficult to Locate
Many are unaware they have a bed bug until too late. Without professional help, it’s easy to wonder: “how can I tell if I have bed bugs?” Bed bugs are challenging to find because they are small, and their appearance can vary depending on their life stage. Bed bugs are flat, wingless insects with six legs. An adult bed bug is oval-shaped, about the size of an apple seed, and usually reddish-brown. Because of their flat bodies, bed bugs can hide very easily within the seams of mattresses, bed frames, box springs, and more.
What do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Bed bugs are not fussy and will feed on blood from humans and other warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, rodents, and birds. However, they prefer humans because we give off a high volume of nutritionally-rich blood. Bites can be easily confused with bites from other insects, making it essential to know how bed bug bites appear. The bites from a bed bug can cause itchy red welts on the skin and usually appear as red pimples or itchy bumps on the skin. If you believe your home has bed bugs, you should get a professional involved to help before the infestation grows.
They Multiply Daily
Bed bugs are a growing problem in many parts of the world. They’re often called “the forgotten pest” because these icky bugs have been around for centuries, and yet people still don’t know enough about them. Female bed bugs can lay 4-7 eggs per day, so it doesn’t take long for an infestation to get out of control. The most effective way to deal with multiplying bed bugs is following up with professional pest control treatment. The problem with treating an infestation yourself is that there are so many steps involved, like preparing one’s home properly, removing clutter, and discarding furniture that has been infested. If you don’t follow these steps, you will wonder what will kill bed bugs and waste time and money.
Bed bugs are widespread pests in North Carolina and can be challenging to control. You may not know you have bed bugs until they multiply, which is why we recommend getting a professional inspection by Kil Mor Pest Control as soon as possible if you think your home might be infested. Our pest management experts will conduct an initial assessment and give some tips on preventing bed bugs and other types of insects from invading your home again.