Bed Bug Pest Control Explained

Most people think of bedbugs as a problem of the past. And, until a few years ago they were right. That is not the case today. Bedbugs have again become a problem and they seem to be gaining ground on us.

Bedbugs are small, flattened insects that, unlike fleas and ticks, do not require a blood meal to carry out their reproductive process. Instead, the bedbug’s food source is blood.

People tend to associate bedbugs with filth. That is usually not the case. Bedbugs can be introduced into some of the cleanest places. They tend to “hitch-hike” in the clothing or luggage of travelers while the person is completely unaware of their presence. In this way they spread, usually from motels or hotels, into homes.

Bedbugs are active at night. They tend to feed once every five to ten days. They tend to hide in the folds and seams of mattresses during the daylight hours. They are attracted by carbon dioxide in the breath of a sleeping host. After dark, when all is quiet, they crawl out, collect their meal, and return to their resting areas. The bite is completely painless because they have a small amount of a painkiller in their saliva. Although bedbugs have been shown to carry several pathogens, they have never been shown to transmit them to humans. For this reason bedbugs are not considered a medical threat.

Infestations of bedbugs are usually detected by small blood stains on light colored bedding. This appears when an engorged adult is inadvertently crushed by their sleeping host. Red stains in the folds of mattresses may also be a clue.

Control of bedbugs requires a combination of sanitation and pesticide applications. While vacuuming the mattress and cleaning of infested bedding will reduce populations, the insects will usually rebound quickly. Involvement of a pest management professional is usually necessary for complete long-term control.

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