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The world is made up of several parasites. Some are smaller, some are bigger; some are dangerous and many are perfectly harmless. However, few are as disturbing to humans as the lowly bed bug.
Small parasites like dust mites can be found in virtually every mattress. Other, bigger insects called bed bugs are also found in many homes in North America, and around the world. Due in part to increased foreign travel, bed bugs are making their way across the continent, taking up residence in hotels, motels, restaurants, apartments, ostels, shelters and family homes.
Bed bugs are small brown creatures that appear flat in shape. They nourish on the blood of animals, and have taken a particular liking to humans. A common variety of bed bug called Cimex lectularius has adapted to living with humans and is regularly seen in homes.
In their adult stage of life, bed bugs can simply be mistaken for ticks. While they don’t fly, they are extremely agile and move very swiftly over walls, floors and other surfaces. They are tremendously resilient and can live without blood from a host for up to a year. Bed bugs are able to lie dormant the whole time, waiting patiently for the next victim to arrive.
Bed bugs are nocturnal, so it’s difficult for people to know whether they are present. The only time that these pests move about is at night, when we are normally asleep. For this reason, getting rid of them is a big problem. It’s difficult to know where to apply the pesticide if one cannot see the bugs in action. Bed bugs are great hiders and will typically come out to nourish on a blood meal in the middle of the night. While it cannot be confirmed if bed bugs are aware that their hosts are sleeping when they feed, their habits suggest that they can more or less sense if the host is in a relaxed state.
Different people can present different symptoms after being bitten by bed bugs. Some persons have no reaction whatsoever to the insect bits. Many victims experience an itchy, swollen bump on the skin where the bite happened. Still others will react more harshly, with inflamed welt marks on the skin.
Bed bugs feed by piercing their victims’ skin with long beak, and then sucking the blood through the beak. Like mosquitoes and fleas, the bed bug’s body will become engorged in three to ten minutes without the victim noticing. Probably it is their patience in retrieving the blood at a slow and steady pace that makes them virtually unnoticed by humans.
Of course, transmitting disease is a major concern. However, since there have been no documented cases of disease passed on by bed bugs, it has been all but dismissed by science. It appears that the extent of damage to their hosts is in the itchiness and swelling felt at the bite locations.
Bed bug infestation is a real problem. It is probable for bed bugs to produce three generations in a year. Female bed bugs lay their eggs in very secluded spots, such as in the folds of a mattress, and will deposit up to five eggs a day. Because of the sheer number of eggs, and the fact that each of these eggs will hatch, grow and multiply three times a year, it’s easy to see how swifty an infestation can occur. The bugs will spread throughout the house, leaving the family itchy, anxious and suffering many sleepless nights.
If you feel that your home may be victim to bed bugs, look for these indications:
* Waking with unexplained itchy areas or swollen welts on the neck, face or body.
* Evidence of blood or dark stains on the mattress
* Small brown or reddish spots on walls, pillows or sheets
If you regularly experience these sybols, then you likely have a bed bug problem in your home.
The usual reaction is to throw away the mattress, although you should know that bed bugs could live in carpets, in other pieces of furniture and other areas of the home. Bed bugs can lie dormant for a lengthy period of time, so even a thorough washing may not be enough to completely eradicate the problem. Be careful, however, with pesticides, particular on your bedding. Your best defense is through a professional pest control company. They will offer an experienced pest exterminator or fumigator to combat the insects, and will likely offer some sort of guarantee against re-infestation.
Bed bugs are a typical parasite that are becoming more ordinary every day, so don’t be embarrassed if they find their way into your home. Call a professional, take care of the problem, and sleep soundly.
Tagged with: bed bugs control • pests control
Filed under: Bed Bugs