Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that can be disgusting or painful home invaders. These tiny reddish-brown bugs are among the most notorious pests around, but can go undetected for weeks without proper control and prevention. From hotels and motels to homes and apartments, bed bugs demand immediate attention.
Here's what you need to know about these pests:
1. Bed bugs don't spread disease
Fortunately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that bed bugs aren't known to harbor disease. Other biting insects such as mosquitos or fleas can spread viruses and bacteria that create serious health problems, but in the case of bed bugs, there are no known pathogens or illnesses to worry about.
2 But they can cause health issues
Although you can't contract any disease from bed bugs, there are still negative health problems to consider. If you sleep in an infested bed, an exposed leg or foot may be covered with dozens of small bites that can be itchy and irritating. In turn, there can be swelling or scabbing in affected area, and some individuals, exhibit serious allergic reactions to the bites.
3. Bites aren't a good warning sign
Not everyone may show noticeable symptoms or bite marks as a result of bed bugs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported. These insects can comfortably survive in a couch or mattress for weeks before becoming an obvious problem. That's a real issue for home and business owners because it allows the problem to grow undetected.
Instead, excrement from the bugs can leave telltale markings, and the most obvious signs that you have a beg bug problem come in the form of red or brown colored stains on a bed cover or sheet. Eggs, eggshells and larvae, meanwhile leave behind yellowish skin as they grow. Dead or live individuals are also clear signs you're dealing with a bed bug problem.
4. Vigilance is essential
In a report issued in the Journal of Medical Entomology Advance Access, researchers from Rutgers University explained that in many instances bed bug problems go completely undetected. A survey of apartments across the state of New Jersey found that in 49 percent of confirmed instances of the pests, residents were unaware of any insect infestations.
5. Second-hand furniture could be to blame
Used home goods are a great, environmentally-friendly way to furnish your home with a limited budget, but if you aren't careful, you could unwittingly be letting bed bugs right into your house. Inspect any item before purchase.
6. Traveling may also lead to bed bugs
Even world-class hotels may fall victim to bed bugs, and the insects can hitch a ride on your clothing or luggage. The bugs can walk surprising distances, so an infected room down the hall may still pose a risk.
7. Your pets need protection too
Whether your pet spends time in bed or on the couch or has his or her own special place, a furry friend may also fall victim to bed bugs. You may not notice any bites beneath a coat of fur, but excessive scratching should be investigated.
8. Bed bugs are hardy
The EPA stated that a single female may lay as many as three eggs every day and several hundred in a lifetime. From there, an individual may hatch and reach maturity in just a few weeks. When temperatures fall below 55F / 13C, development will stop however adults can still survive and may enter a state of semihibernation. Also, female bed bugs lay 1-5 eggs per day (not as many as three eggs).
If you think you're dealing with an infestation, reach out to a bed bug removal specialist to learn about your options.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
