The Horrors of a Bed Bug Infestation
Say “bed bugs” and you’re likely to see faces as white as the sheets on the bed. Every homeowner knows that bed bugs are bad news – but not everyone really understands why. Most people just have a vague notion of how hard they are to eradicate. Others just get creeped out at the idea that bugs are crawling all over their bodies and biting them while they sleep.
Understanding why bed bugs are such a problem can help you know how to spot bed bugs and how to control them. Here’s what you need to know about why bed bugs are such a nightmare:
They Hide Easily
Bed bugs are a problem because they are not easy to spot. Most people don’t know that there are bed bugs in their house until there is a full-blown infestation that is difficult to treat.
Bed bugs are hard to spot because they are tiny. They aren’t microscopic – they just take effort to identify. Typically, what you’ll see are small spots around the seams of your mattress. They might be the bugs themselves, or they might be blood and feces that the bugs have left behind. The adult bugs look like apple seeds – small, flat, and brown or rust-colored.
They Can Go a Long Time without Eating
You can’t starve out bed bugs. They won’t start to die after a day or two without a food source. Bed bugs can live for up to 550 days without eating. Are you really going to stop sleeping in your bed for that long? Baby bed bugs need to eat more frequently, but they can still go a few months without eating. Leaving your bedroom won’t be enough to get rid of bed bugs. Not only will the bed bugs hang on, but they may even leave the room in search of food sources, creating a bigger problem throughout your home.
They Reproduce Quickly
A few bed bugs can quickly become a huge bed bug problem. Bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime. Within only a few months, those bugs will be mature enough to lay their own eggs, and the problem will compound.
To make matters worse, the prime temperatures for bed bug reproduction are between 70 degrees and 82 degrees Fahrenheit – just the temperatures that most people like for sleeping.
They are Resistant to Pesticides
If you discover that you have bed bugs, you can’t just run down to Home Depot and buy a spray or a bug trap. Over-the-counter pest solutions just won’t work. Worse, they will give you a false sense of confidence, which will keep you from taking further action and allow the bed bugs to reproduce and spread. You must call a professional pest control company to implement an effective bed bug control plan. Only the professionals have access to the superior-grade pest control products that will effectively eradicate bed bugs and keep new ones from coming into your home. The experts also have the training and experience to find bed bugs wherever they may be in your home and to implement the right solutions to eliminate them.
As soon as you notice signs that you may have a bed bug problem, call the best pest control company you can find to inspect your home and to implement protective solutions. If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, wake up with red marks, or feel itchy in your bed, take a closer look. You may have a pest problem.
Varsity Termite and Pest Control is ready to help you take your home back from bed bugs so that you can get a good night’s sleep again. Our experienced pest control technicians have the tools and strategies to get rid of any bed bugs that may be present and to protect your home from future infestations. They can also counsel you on steps you can take to protect your home from bed bugs and other pests. We offer comprehensive pest control services for a range of pests common to the Phoenix area, including ants, termites, scorpions, mosquitoes, roaches, rats, and more. Call us to schedule a consultation and inspection with a professional pest control technician today.
