As snowbirds begin to travel back to their full-time homes this spring (and many SaddleBrooke residents planning to go on vacation across the country and globe), bed bugs will have more ways to “hitch a ride”. Therefore, letting your guard down for beg bugs even if you stay in SaddleBrooke is not advised.
Bed bugs are parasites that are commonly found in sleeping areas of homes and hotels. They feed off of humans at night. During the day they live near the sleeping locations of their hosts. Beg bugs were virtually eliminated before 1995, but have since reemerged with the increase in world travel.
Chances are you have heard a myth or two about bed bugs without realizing there were simply that: a myth.
Here are five common bed bug myths that we can clear up for you right now to help you be alert and prepared in case they unexpectedly end up in your home:
1) Bed bugs are invisible
False. Adult bed bugs, nymphs and their eggs are all visible to the naked eye.
2) Bed bugs live in filthy surroundings or prefer dirty places
False. Bed bugs prefer to live in clutter; however, they are not drawn to the dirt but rather to the warmth. Blood and Carbon Dioxide are also magnets for this pest but dirt itself is not appealing to bed bugs.
3) Bed bugs can only bite you at night
False. Although they prefer darker lighting, bed bugs can and will bite you at any time, that is, if they are hungry and you are around. Popping on the light unfortunately does not deter this pest.
4) Bed bugs only infest mattresses
False. Bed bugs can also live in couches, chairs, luggage, furniture, boxes, pictures and bedding for our pets. Another common area we seem to overlook, movie theaters, hotels and seating on the bus. Anyone can transport these hitchhikers which public places are no exception.
5) Bed bugs transmit deadly diseases
False. As strange as it seems, there are actually no reported cases of bed bugs directly transmitting human disease. Other symptoms, like insomnia and nervousness as well as side effects such as secondary infections, can be caused by the presence of bed bugs. However, zero cases of disease transmission have been reported even though they can, in fact, harbor over 20 human pathogens.
So what can you do to help keep bed bugs at bay?
Prevention is the best approach for bed bugs. For example, making sure not to pick up furniture off the side of the road and using extreme caution when buying second-hand furniture and other miscellaneous items. Keeping your house tidy, clean walls, draperies, vacuuming base boards and carpeting often. Bed bugs find more places to live in cluttered areas than in those that are well maintained. Hot water for clothing and drying can help kill adult bed bugs.
When traveling and staying at hotels, perform a quick inspection of mattresses along the piping looking for black stains and possible small exoskeletons. Another suggestion while in hotels is to keep your luggage in a bathtub whenever possible because the little guys can’t climb out. When you are back home from the holidays, store your luggage in the garage because keeping items in higher temperatures can be a big help. You can do your part to avoid these pesky bugs by keeping these tips and tricks in mind.
Getting rid of a bed bug infestation can be a difficult process depending on the size of the problem. It is almost always necessary to seek the help of a pest control professional to ensure that the infestation is under control and eliminated, and they will be able to instruct you on the best way to clean bedding, furniture, and mattresses. Vacuuming can also help to limit the number of bugs and eggs. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag right after use.
(Cody Emmett is the Sales Manager for Truly Nolen in SaddleBrooke. He can be reached at (520) 275-9303. Founded in 1938, Tucson-based Truly Nolen of America (www.trulynolen.com ) is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States.)
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