subject: Busting Some Bed Bug Myths – Part 1 of a two-part series [print this page] Busting Some Bed Bug Myths Part 1 of a two-part series
Busting Some Bed Bug Myths Part 1
Hey, 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 these common bed bug myths:
MYTH: You can't see a bed bug. You should be able to see adult bed bugs, nymphs and eggs with your naked eye.
MYTH: Bed bugs live in dirty places. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime it's not an issue of cleanliness. They are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. However, if you reduce or remove clutter, you eliminate a lot of their hiding spots.
MYTH: Bed bugs transmit diseases. We don't know of any cases that indicate bed bugs pass diseases from one host to another. Lab tests have shown that it is unlikely that the insect is capable of infecting its host. Heck, I'm okay and I feed bed bugs on my arm - these are the ones I use to keep my hound trained. I know, this probably skeeves you out!
MYTH: Bed bugs won't come out if the room is brightly lit. Bed bugs really prefer darkness, but keeping the light on at night won't deter these insidious and secretive critters from biting you.
MYTH: Pesticide applications alone will easily eliminate bed bug infestations. Bed bug control can be maintained through a comprehensive treatment strategy that incorporates a variety of techniques and vigilant monitoring. Proper use of pesticides may be one component of the strategy, but will not eliminate bed bugs alone. The best thing to do is to consult a qualified pest management professional (PMP) if you have bed bugs in your home. Don't try to deal with them yourself!
MYTH: If I throw out the bed I will no longer have bed bugs. They may be called bed bugs but they don't just live in beds and they can occupy almost any dark crack or crevice in a room. Disposing of ANY furniture prior to it being inspected and treated by an experienced and competent pest control professional can be a costly mistake and certainly a false economy. Almost everything can be treated to remove bed bugs but if not properly handled, the removal of furniture can simple spread an infestation to other areas of the property. Rather than throw out an otherwise perfectly good mattress and box spring, purchase a set of Protect-A-Bed encasements which can be found on my website: http://www.NAbedbugs.com/products
MYTH: My apartment neighbor has bedbugs will I get them as well? Transmission from a neighbor is a lot more common than people would believe and the likelihood of you getting infested depends on how they handle the problem. If you think your neighbor has an issue with bed bugs you should check your bed and living area on a weekly basis to make sure that you detect any bed bug signs at the earliest possible stages. If you're wondering whether you may have bed bugs, call a bed bug dog inspection service.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Busting Some Bed Bug Myths. I'll post an article with some more Bed Bug Myths next week.
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Check out my website (http://www.NAbedbugs.com) for more information on bed bugs and some tips and products for preventing them.
