The Facts About Bedbugs
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Bedbugs are on the rise, and although they have been around for centuries few people today know much about them. After the second World War, the increased use of pesticides in the U.S. caused the infestations go become practically non-existent. But recent years have seen bedbugs making a comeback. It helps to know what to look for so that you can isolate the problem and address it before it causes serious problems for your family.
The adult bedbug is usually less than ¼ inch, and females can produce between 1-5 eggs per day. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of ten days, and the babies can feed up to five times before reaching adult size. Bed bugs feed on the blood of both humans and animals, usually during the nighttime hours when they can feed undisturbed. They locate their victim by sensing the warmth of their sleeping body and the carbon dioxide given off from exhalations.
After biting their victim, the bed bugs secrete a small amount of saliva into the bite to prevent the blood from coagulating. The saliva causes the skin to itch and become swollen, and may even lead to infection. Bedbugs can leave a series of small bites or just one or two in random places on your body.
During the times when they are not feeding, bedbugs hide in openings in your walls, in artwork, in baseboards or furniture (including mattresses). If you happen to be staying away from home in a hotel or on a cruise ship, you can check your quarters for bedbugs with a flashlight, which should reveal crawling insects, blood spots, excrement or evidence of molting.
A few more facts about bedbugs:
- Bedbugs can live anywhere they have a source of blood on a regular basis.
- Bedbugs do not transmit diseases; however their bites can be itchy, swollen and uncomfortable. Repeatedly scratching them can lead to infections.
- One of the first signs of infestation is small blood spots on bed linens.
- Bedbugs are not necessarily sign of lack of cleanliness.
- Bedbugs may be able to go more than a year without blood. That means that if you buy used furniture, it should be inspected thoroughly regardless of how long it has been sitting at the dealer’s store.
- The saliva of a bedbug contains an anesthetic which numbs the sensation of its biting.
If you suspect an infestation, it is recommended that you call a professional pest control company. They will have special tools and the experience to identify problem areas in your home right away. Treatment may take several visits, and you may also be required to remove or destroy furniture, clothing, rugs or artwork which is infested. At the very least you’ll want to thoroughly clean your home along with your pest control treatment to ensure you are getting the most benefit from it. For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.
Tags: Bedbugs