When you were a kid, your parents might have tucked you in at night with the phrase: “Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite!” It may have seemed like a silly saying, But this silly saying becomes quite serious when you actually have bed bugs in your home.
These pests can cause serious problems and they can be incredibly difficult to get rid of. Learn what makes bed bugs such a problem and let Big Blue Bug Solutions help you protect your home and your family from these biting pests.
Bed Bug Characteristics You Should Know
Bed bugs are small black bugs. They can be as small as the head of a pin and they like to hide in soft, dark areas. They get their name because they often hide in bedding, but they can also live in furniture, carpeting, and even electronics.
Another thing to know about bed bugs is that they live everywhere that people do. They are expert hitchhikers, traveling in luggage, clothing, laptops, shoes, furniture, and more. There’s a common misconception that bed bugs only live in dirty places, but in reality they can survive anywhere that humans live.
The last thing to note when it comes to bed bugs is that they feed on blood from mammals. They typically emerge at night and feed on humans or animals. When a bed bug bites you, you might end up with red, itchy bumps.
What’s So Bad About Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs aren’t known to transmit disease or bacteria that’s harmful to humans. This doesn’t mean they aren’t a problematic pest. Bed bug bites can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. The combination of bites and active bed bugs at night can cause insomnia as well as stress and frustration. In addition, a long-term infestation can result in anemia from the constant loss of blood.
A bed bug infestation is also a problem because bed bugs spread quickly. The longer you have bed bugs in your home, the more people you might spread them to. Any guests are susceptible to taking some bed bugs home with them, and you may be spreading them any time you leave the house.
Stopping An Infestation Before It Starts
Here are some tips for avoiding a bed bug infestation, identifying a bed bug problem, and eliminating bed bugs from your home.
- Learn to identify bed bugs. Learn what to look for: small black bugs, shed body parts of bugs, dark stains on the mattress or pillow that could be blood or fecal matter.
- Inspect before you stay. Whenever you travel, check for signs of bed bugs before you unpack, set down your suitcase, or sit on the bed. If you see something suspicious, stay elsewhere and let someone know to check more thoroughly.
- Check used clothing and furniture for these same signs before bringing them inside. Even if you think used furniture is coming from a great source, check for bed bugs to be sure.
- Call Big Blue Bug Solutions. Whether you think you have bed bugs or just want more information on how to prevent them, call Big Blue Bug Solutions for help.
When it comes to bed bugs, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Call us at the first sign of bed bugs and we’ll stop by for an inspection. If you do have bed bugs, we’ll discuss treatment options for you, and we’ll get to work immediately to clear bed bugs out of your home.
These pests can cause more problems than you might have thought. Don’t let them feed on your blood while you sleep. Instead, let Big Blue Bug Solutions protect your home, your family, and your friends. We won’t let bed bugs rule your nights.