subject: Busting Some Bed Bug Myths – Part 2 of two part series [print this page] Busting Some Bed Bug Myths Part 2 of two part series
Busting Some Bed Bug Myths Part 2 of two part series
Hey, here's the second and last installment of "Busting Some Bed Bug Myths". We're seeing a lot of info on TV and in the papers about bed bugs and it really can become confusing to try to figure out what's true and what's not.
Check out some more common bed bug myths:
MYTH: I can't have bed bugs because I have not been anywhere. Unfortunately travel, whether overseas or locally, is not the only possible source of bed bugs. In an increasing number of cases people are finding it hard to pin down a case of bed bugs to a obvious source such as a trip abroad or the acquisition of a piece of second hand furniture.We are increasingly finding that bed bugs may be spread on the public transportation network, via the workplace, from an adjoining property, or even from a house guest who has unknowingly brought the problem with them.
MYTH: It can't be bed bugs because I get bitten but my partner does not. The simple fact is that two people sleeping in the same bed may both be bitten by bed bugs but respond in a different way. Some people immediately have a reaction to the bites while others show little or no signs -it all depends on how much you respond to different types of insect bites, the environment you live in and your immune response. Studies have shown that about 35% of the population does not have any allergic reaction to bed bug bites.
MYTH: Bed bugs can be killed by the cold. Yes they can be killed by extremes of cold and hot but it is unlikely that outside temperatures will rise or fall enough to effectively kill them.
MYTH: Bed bugs are resistant to all pesticides. This is not true but they are becoming increasingly resistant to over-used pesticides which unfortunately means the ones that are readily available over the Internet. The most common group of chemicals that bed bugs are resistant to are simple Pyrethrins, organic Pyrethrins, Bendiocarb (Ficam products) and simple cypermethrin coumpounds. This is why you need to call a pest control professional to deal with this issue. I'm not a pest control professional, so a little knowledge in very dangerous in my hands!
MYTH: The bed bugs have been exterminated but I still itch and get occasional bites. Although rare, there are cases of chitin hypersensitivity which is a temporary condition that can be brought on by contact with bed bugs. Effectively you become sensitive to the compounds in the insect's shells which can, if present, cause an itch and in some cases what appears to be a bite. Researchers have even witnessed someone showing a bite response to a dead insect when it was placed on their skin. The only solution is deep cleaning to a hypoallergenic level to remove all the traces of insect casings from the property and your possessions. This can be time consuming and is best done by a cleaning team as it reduces your exposure to the irritants.
MYTH: Bed bugs don't like metal beds. Although it is true that metal beds are less hospitable to bed bugs, simply replacing all beds with metal ones will not cure a bed bug problem. In some cases, because there are not as many obvious hiding places for bed bugs in metal beds, they can make the matter worse.
MYTH: You can't bring bed bugs back from vacation or a business trip because they will not survive the temperatures of the plane's cargo hold. Bed bugs are a lot more resilient than many people give them credit for. They can survive at low temperatures, even below freezing, for significant lengths of time. Unless you are planning on staying in the air for several days don't rely upon this as a way of decontaminating. Isolate your bags before they re-enter your property and make sure they are treated correctly. If you travel frequently, a great product (which can be found at http://www.NAbedbugs.com/products/) is the PackTite Portable Heat Unit. You can place your roll-aboard luggage, computer bag (sans computer), shoes, and other items in the bag which heats to a bed bug-lethal temperature.
Do you have some bed bug myths you'd like to bust? Let us know, share your thoughts!
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