5 Lies South Bend Property Owners Have Been Told About Bed Bugs

What’s worse than a liar? There really isn’t much worse than someone you can’t trust. Well, unfortunately, the Internet can be one of those untrustworthy sources. It’s even more frustrating when you consider the fact that the Internet can provide some incredibly useful information. It’s like that friend who’s always giving you useful advice but, every now and then, steers you wrong.

The Internet does this dance with bed bugs. There’s a lot of research out there that can help you protect yourself from a bed bug infestation, but there are also a lot of misconceptions about these pests that result in you leaving you open to health risks and restless nights.

Lie #1: Bed Bugs Are Too Small To See

Actually, bed bugs are visible to the naked eye. These disconcerting night-crawlers might be less than five millimeters in length, but their brown/grey bodies are usually visible against lightly-colored sheets. They are especially visible if they have recently fed, as their oval bodies will swell up like a tick after feeding on blood.
 
You can also spot bed bugs by the bloodstains their nightly feedings will leave on sheets. If the bed bugs are feeding on you or the other members of your household, you’ll also notice red bite marks in straight or zig-zagged lines on your bodies.

Lie #2: Only Dirty Homes Get Bed Bugs

Just because you keep a clean home doesn’t mean that bed bugs will not want to invade it. You have blood in your veins, right? Well, if bed bugs can get a foothold in your house, then they gladly will. Bed bugs actually can hitch a ride into your home on anything, which is what makes them so difficult to keep out of your home.
 
Try to picture yourself traveling. (Don’t worry, just play along. You’ll see my point.) Let’s get crazy: it’s a week-long vacation at a tropical destination. (If we’re going to play the hypothetical game, may as well go big). When you arrive at your hotel, you walk in to see that large, inviting king bed. You know that a week of fun awaits, so you throw your suitcase on the bed to unpack. As you’re stowing clothes into your drawer, you’re thinking about all the fun you’re going to have. You jump into the bed for a quick nap after traveling, only to realize there are bloodstains on the sheets and bed bugs scurrying about. Once you call room service and get the sheets changed (or switch rooms…or switch hotels), you finally begin feeling comfortable. However, you’ll have bed bugs when you get back to your house. Why? They jumped into your suitcase when you put it on your first bed, and they never left.

Lie #3: Bed Bugs Spread Disease

Since my last lie debunk was a bit long-winded, I’ll make this one short and sweet. Bed bugs in South Bend do not spread diseases. However, they can cause allergic reactions and severe skin irritations if they repeatedly bite the same victims. If you’ve got an infestation or are getting bitten as you sleep, you need to have it addressed immediately.

Lie #4: You’ll Only Find Them In Your Bed

Since bed bugs can hitch a ride into your home on anything, including you, your clothes, your luggage, your family members, and used furniture, they’ll infest and inhabit numerous pieces of furniture in your home. Check any used furniture for bed bug activity before you bring it into your home.
 
Did you know that bed bugs even infest office spaces? They’re commonly found in businesses, infesting office chairs and couches and even electronics just as often as they infest the beds of residential homes.

Lie #5: You Can Get Rid Of Them On Your Own

If you incur a bed bug infestation in your South Bend home, the only way you can prevent them permanently is to seek professional attention. Vacuuming, cleaning, and bleaching will only kill the top layer of bed bugs without solving the deeper infestation that you don’t see within the chairs, beds, floorboards, and beyond. If you notice even the first sign of bed bug activity, contact the pros at Termishield. Their expert pest professionals can eradicate a bed bug infestation and help you prevent incurring another one. Don’t lose sleep over pests when the cure is only a phone call away. Instead, call Termishield today.

Tags: bed bugs | bed bug control | home pest control |

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