subject: Sleep Easier By Eradicating Bed Bugs [print this page] Hiding in the crevices and cracks of furniture, bedding, and walls bed bugs make themselves at home in various types of dwelling places. Bed bugs prefer to live near humans because humans are their preferred food source. Bed bugs feed on individuals at night by sucking an individuals blood while they are sleeping and immobile. For this reason, these pests tend to concentrate in items such as mattresses, box springs, and bedroom furniture. If they cannot find a human source of which to feed, bed bugs will feed on animals such as poultry, rodents, cats, and dogs.
How To Identify Bed Bugs -
There are three stages in the life cycle of a bed bug: egg, nymph, and adult. Generally, eggs can be found in the same cracks and crevices where adult bugs live during the daytime hours. Their eggs are white and will be approximately 1mm in length. The female will lay approximately 200 eggs. The nymph will be small and colourless until its first feeding. Upon its first feeding the nymph will appear red or purple in colour. Once the nymph reaches the adult stage, it will be about 5-7 mm in length and appear reddish-brown. They have an oval shaped, flat, shiny body, and these pests emit a distinct odour.
Problems Associated with Bed Bugs -
While the bites are not painful, they can cause irritation and allergic reactions. These pests will feed on exposed areas of skin while humans are asleep. The most common places affected include the face, neck, hands, and arms. The bites result in bumps on the skin that will be small and flat or raised. These bumps typically are accompanied by redness, swelling, and itching. They can become infected if scratched.
Not only do bed bugs affect individuals physically, but there is a stigma associated with these pests. For businesses, they can result in a loss of income. In addition to businesses at times having to quarantine infested rooms, bed bugs can give a business a very poor reputation.
Treatment -
A pest inspection will be crucial to determine the extent of the bed bug infestation. There are two types of pest control services that may be utilized: chemical and non-chemical. A pest control expert can help property owners determine the method of treatment that will be best for them. Eradication of a bed bug issue is a team effort whereby professional pest controllers will work with the property owners / residents to solve their but issue.
