Here is a fun trivia question. What is nearly transparent (unless it is filled with blood) and loves to hitch a ride with holiday travelers? If you said a bed bug, you would be half right. The answer is: a bed bug nymph. Here's what you need to know about bed bugs and holiday travel.
Bed bugs are tiny. Really tiny. Even when they are adults, they're still tiny. An adult bed bug is only the size of an apple seed--and bed bug nymphs are even smaller! So, it is no wonder we don't see them when they get into the seams of our luggage or find their way into a pocketbook. These are tiny bugs.
Not only are bed bug nymphs extremely small, they are also transparent. Yup. That wasn't a typo. You don't just have to worry about a bug that is a third the size of an apple seed, it is also transparent. It isn't just hard to see when it hitches a ride in our stuff, it is even hard to see when it is crawling on our skin. The only way this bug will stand out is if it is filled with blood. But, even a fully engorged bed bug nymph is hardly bigger than a speck. Fortunately, it will be a bright red speck.
If you don't want to deal with a bed bug infestation after the holidays have passed, now is the time to tell your friends and family about bed bugs, especially if they are traveling a great distance to be with you and stopping somewhere to spend the night along the way. Knowing what a bed bug looks like, in all its developmental stages, can help everyone avoid having these pests infest.
It is also important to know what bed bug bites looks like. If you have friends and family visit, and you notice red, rashy welts that look like they are in a line or cluster, you may be able to take quick action and contain the problem.
Holiday travel helps bed bugs spread. But knowing what these bugs look like and what kind of bites they leave on the skin can prevent an infestation from taking root.
If you miss these signs, and you discover that bed bugs have found a way into your home, call a professional pest control company. This is a hard pest to fully eradicate. Bed bugs have been dwelling with humans for centuries. These bugs have a lot of experience avoiding our attempts to kill them.
If you live in New England, find out if you are in our service area. Big Blue Bug Solutions has bed bug solutions that are both quick and effective. Reach out to us for immediate relief.