Bed bugs are small, blood-borne parasitic insects. Bed bugs are particularly notorious because they are resistant and can infest places very easily, without causing any concern regarding the dirtiness of a place. They usually hitch a ride on luggage, clothes, and furniture so unknowingly it can easily be transported. Critical to the prevention of such infestation is the knowledge of what causes an infestation of bed bugs. Here are seven common sources of bed bug infestations and ways of minimizing that risk.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are the smallest, elongated pests feeding on the blood of humans and animals. Bed bugs are nocturnal pests; thus, they are mainly active during night hours. Bed bugs are the size of an apple seed, have flat bodies, are brown in color, and swell or become reddish after taking a feed.
Though not good fliers, they were able to sprint at great speeds in floors, walls, and ceilings. Female bed bugs lay hundreds of eggs, which resemble specks of dust, over their lifetime. Bed bug nymphs need to have blood feeding before each of the five instars and molt their skin. Bed bugs are not known to be a disease vector, but their bites may cause rashes in the skin, allergic reactions, and psychologic effects.
Bed bugs are good at hiding in cracks at night in the seams of mattresses, bed frames, headboards, but they emerge in all their hideous splendour at night when you need some sleep. Usually not detected by the homeowner.
How to Check if You Have a Bed Bug Infestation
The trouble with a bed bug infestation is that it can easily get out of hand if not checked in good time. In most cases, the first sign is when you experience red, itchy bites on your skin that occur in groups.
And moreover, you can search for those small brown or black spots on your bedding that are actually droppings. Or even some sweet and musty smell. Find shed exoskeletons. Then get the professionals involved if you find any of those symptoms.
How Do Bed Bugs Spread?
Actually, infestation with bed bugs does not depend on the hygiene of an environment. They are excellent hitchhikers and therefore extremely easy to transfer via human activity. Bed bugs attach themselves to luggage, clothing, bedding, and furniture, and travel is a very important source of spread.
You might carry them along with you if you have to stay in the place for some time, and second-hand furniture and personal items like backpacks can also harbor bed bugs. Libraries, theaters, and public transports are not exempted either.
Primary Causes of Infestations due to Bed Bugs
One will come to know what mainly infests people with bed bugs, which helps them avoid it. Here are seven reasons to look out for,
Traveling
Travel can be so much fun, but it also provides bed bugs with an easy opportunity to hitchhike along with you in the luggage. They hide out in mattresses, carpets, and folds of clothes. Be sure to check your stuff when you arrive before unpacking all over and check for the presence of bed bugs in your hotel room.
Furniture Available on the Second Hand Markets
Used furniture saves so much money, but of course has the risk of getting bed bugs. Look for any flaws before taking these home.
Schools and Colleges
Bed bugs reside in dorm rooms and on campus because they are transported inside the school with belongings. Once inside they can easily spread on cluttered furniture.
Shared Living Spaces and Public Spaces
Bed bugs can easily move from apartment to apartment in multi-unit housing or even be passed along through hospitals and daycare centers. Be careful when visiting these places.
Taking Home Infested Items
Bedding, second-hand clothing, and old furniture brought into homes attract the bed bugs. Be very cautious of the items for the presence of the insects. The unwelcome insects may find their way into your homes through the guests who are unconscious of their presence. Request the guests who have been in infested premises for some time to share with you the inconvenience that they may be experiencing.
Lack of Knowledge
Most people are not aware of the signs of bed bugs, and thus, one may stay in an infested house unknowingly. Monitor your house and seal all the crevices.
First and foremost, this is a preventive measure: to avoid bed bugs from happening, it’s very important to know where they come from. In case that the bed bugs infest your home, then call immediately a professional exterminator. People must always watch out and take necessary measures for unwanted pests like these.