4 Myths About Bed Bugs Debunked

You avoid big city and dirty motels, so you're safe from bed bugs, right? Wrong. Anyone can fall victim to these blood-thirsty pests. If you don't know much about bed bugs, you need to check out these four myths and learn the truth about bed bugs and how easily you could be exposed to them.

Myth #1: Bed Bugs Are Only Found in Cities

When you think of a big city, you probably picture rat and cockroach infestations, so that's where you'll find bed bugs. This is partially true. Bed bugs are more common in urban areas because people are so packed together: close houses, apartment living, etc. However, like any pest, bed bugs can be found anywhere. It's just easier to spread through cities, but you can find them in rural areas too. Bed bugs are in every part of America. 17 percent of cases are found in the Northeast, 20 percent in the Midwest, 20 percent in the South and 19 percent in the West. Wherever you live, you could find your home overrun with bed bugs.

Myth #2: You Can Only Get Bed Bugs From Motel Beds

When you imaging catching bed bugs, you probably picture a dingy motel in a bad part of town with stains on the floor. However, motel beds aren't the only place you can catch bed bugs. About 80 percent of Americans are most worried about catching bed bugs from a hotel, and you can catch them in cheap motels and expensive hotels. However, that's not the only place they are hiding. You can find them anywhere you find people, such as office buildings, apartments, schools, buses, movie theaters, etc. You may even catch some after buying a used chair or clothing from a thrift store.

Myth #3: Bed Bugs Only Come Out to Feed at Night

If you work nights and sleep during the day, don't think you won't be affected by bed bugs. Typically, bed bugs prefer to feed at night because that is when you are most likely asleep. However, if you have a different sleeping schedule, bed bugs will adjust their feeding schedule to match yours because it's easier to feed while you are snoozing. Many people don't wake when they get bitten by a bed bug because bed bug saliva contains anesthetic properties. The saliva also causes blood flow to increase. Therefore, they feed quickly and painlessly.

Myth #4: Bed Bug Sprays Destroy Bed Bugs

You may spot some over-the-counter sprays that claim to destroy bed bugs and stop the infestation, but they aren't effective. If you use these pesticides, you'll probably kill the weaker bugs, but the stronger ones will continue to multiply and become more resistant to the spray, making it harder to kill them in the future. Plus, even if the spray could kill them all, it would be hard to spray every single nook and cranny of your home to ensure they were all dead. Even a couple of lone bed bugs could quickly multiply into a huge infestation again. Once you have bed bugs, it's not a good idea to try and fight them alone. your best bet is to contact a professional who can efficiently kill them.  

Don't assume you are safe from bed bugs because you don't stay in motels. Anyone is at risk for an infestation. If you suspect you have bed bugs, check the seams, buttons and other hiding spots on your mattress with a flashlight. Look for bugs, blood or fecal matter. For more information about avoiding bed bugs or for getting rid of an infestation, have a peek at this site to contact a pest control specialist today.