Finding a bed bug infestation in your home is bad news for anyone. It’s a stressful and dreadful situation that requires time and money to resolve. However, before you start getting rid of them, you first need to do some quality research first. Judging these creatures based on appearance and stereotypes, there are many assumptions people make that aren’t 100% accurate. So as part of your research, we’ll start off by debunking common bed bug myths.
Common & Not So Common Bed Bug Myths
1) You Can’t See Bed Bugs With The Naked Eye
Unfortunately, this myth is not true. You should be able to see bed bugs, nymphs and even their eggs with your naked eyes. The average size of an adult bed bug can range from anywhere in between ¼ inch to about 3/16 of an inch. The only time bed bugs may be harder to see is when they’re nymphs. This is due to their bodies being transparent prior to feeding. However, size-wise, we can see them perfectly fine.
2) Bed Bugs Reproduce Rapidly
Compared to other insects, bed bugs actually reproduce at a fairly slow and low rate. Each adult female bed bug produces only about one egg per day or approximately 250 eggs during its lifetime. One egg per day can still seem like quite a lot to us humans however, for comparison’s sake, one house fly can lay up to 500 eggs at a time. That’s practically double the number of bed bugs! Now, you’re probably thinking thank God you’re not dealing with house flies.
3) Bed Bugs Only Feed During The Night
Let me ask you this, don’t you and every other animal eat when they’re hungry? Of course, and why would bed bugs be any different? Bed bugs feed whenever they get hungry regardless of whether it’s nighttime or not. This also means that just simply keeping your lights on during the night will not prevent them from biting you.
4) Bed Bugs Fly From One Host To Another
Again, despite their appearances, they can not fly. They also don’t jump — instead, they crawl really fast. How they travel from one host to another is by, for the lack of a better word, hitchhiking. They crawl onto your clothes, along with other belongings and crawl off once they’ve landed. To prevent the spread of bed bugs, make sure you’ve removed them from you and your homes completely. Contacting a pest control company would be your best bet.
5) Bed Bugs Prefer Unsanitary Areas For Nesting
This myth is also not true. Bed bugs are very non-discriminatory, so it doesn’t matter if your home is spotless and thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis. If you have found bed bugs in your home don’t worry; it doesn’t mean your home isn’t clean. It just means that you were unlucky and happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Bed bugs are only wrongly associated with low-income families due to their lack of resources to fully exterminate them as well as more people living in close quarters.
7) Bed Bugs Only Hang Out Around Your Bed
Even though they’re named as bed bugs, this is most definitely not true. They can travel to any part of your home as long as they can crawl. Why you might see more bed bugs around your bed is due to the fact that they like to reside close to their food source. So even if your room is bedbug-free, it does not mean the rest of your home is.
8) You Can Feel It When A Bed Bug Bites
Nope, bed bugs do a pretty good job in numbing you before taking a bite. Before bed bugs feed, they inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant. The only time you may experience irritation is after the bite. Many people are allergic to bed bug bites and experience hives or some form of welts that can be itchy and irritating. Don’t say we didn’t warn you but no matter what, don’t scratch your bites! Scratching can lead to other complications such as infection that you don’t want to have to deal with.
Got Bed Bugs? No Problem!
Now that you’re aware of these bed bugs myths, you’re well on your way to becoming a bed bug expert. If you have discovered bed bugs in your home, it’s highly recommended that you contact Action Pest as soon as possible. Not only are they highly skilled with over 40 years of experience they’ll work with you to come up with the best strategies to get rid of them quickly and completely. They have state-of-the-art technology and equipment that’ll ensure your utmost satisfaction in pest control and removal. Contact Action Pest today, they’re available at all times every day of the week!
