Bed Bugs and its effects.

Bed bug infestations are being reported everywhere people live and work: homes, dormitories, apartments, motels, hotels, schools, theaters, trains, buses, offices, hospitals, department stores – and the list goes on.
The best defense against them starts with knowing a little about them – what they look like, where they hide, and how they spread.

Bed bugs are difficult to find because they can hide in crevices the thickness of a business card.

How do I know it's a bed bug? Adults are about ¼ inch long and reddish brown to dark brown in color. They have oval, flattened bodies that resemble apple seeds. They can’t fly, but can run quickly and disperse throughout a structure, much like roaches.

What are their feeding habits?

• They feed at night using a piercing beak. These bites can cause an allergic reaction, producing red welts that look – and itch – like mosquito bites.
• They prefer to feed on humans, but will feed on other animals, including pets such as dogs, cats and birds
• They can live for months without a blood meal – which means they can survive while you’re away on vacation or while an unoccupied home is waiting to be sold.

How do they affect my health?

Despite the fact that they feed on blood, they are not known to spread any diseases. However, they can cause health issues.

• Loss of sleep is the most common effect of a bed bug infestation – along with the issues caused by sleep deprivation, such as (but not limited to):
  • Irritability
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Decreased energy
• Bed bug bites can cause itchy skin rashes or welts
• Some people have allergic reactions to the bites.
• Secondary infections can also be a risk* when itchy bites are scratched open.

*Please note: At-risk populations, such as diabetics or people with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to secondary infections.