Fun times, right? Okay, so today’s post is about how to identify if you have them. Bed bugs have been talked about on our blog a bunch of times (you can find our post about Bed Bugs and travel here, if you are so inclined), or you can just keep reading.What they are:
Bed bugs are small parasitic insect, commonly compared in size to that of an apple seed. They have oval-shaped, reddish-brown bodies and no wings. The common bed bug or Cimex Lectularius, generally grow to 4–5 mm in length and 1.5–3 mm wide.
Where are they found:
It’s very important to stress that ANYONE can get bed bugs. One of the biggest misconceptions about bed bugs is that they only occur in filthy conditions. This cannot be stressed enough, but that IS NOT TRUE! Bed bugs don’t care where they live as long as there is at least one human living in an environment between 32 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit then they will be happy. A few major reasons for the return of bed bugs include the ban on DDT (one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides) and other organophosphates, increased international travel, modern lack of familiarity and social stigma which results in a lack of willingness by some to request help.
Bed bugs can be found in lots of places in your home such as:
*Behind headboards and around crack and crevices of your bed
*In the seams of your mattress
*Inside your box spring and along the bed frame
*Along baseboard cracks
*In and around your nightstands
*In and around other items such as window and door frames, pictures, moldings, nearby furniture, loose wallpaper, cracks in plaster and in clutterBite identification:Most often, bed bug bite are harmless. Generally there is no pain caused from the bite, however sometimes a person will have a strong or allergic reaction to a bite, which can cause large itchy welts to appear. Bed bug bites will go away on their own and do not normally need medical attention from a Dr., however if you do react badly to a bite you can apply an anti-itch ointment or see a Dr. for a prescription. Bed bug bites also typically look a lot like a mosquito bite and the bites often appear to as itchy, flat sores that often appear in groups of 3.It’s also important to know that bed bug bites are not currently known to spread disease. It is believed that they could in future and that it’s only a matter of time, but right now, they do not. Currently, the most significant health affect is psychological including stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue which is caused by the presence of bed bugs.If you think you have bed bugs, call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863 today or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com to book your appointment!Check back tomorrow for part 2 of Bed Bugs and how to identify their bites or for more information on where bed bugs have been found check out www.bedbugregistry.com
*Behind headboards and around crack and crevices of your bed
*In the seams of your mattress
*Inside your box spring and along the bed frame
*Along baseboard cracks
*In and around your nightstands
*In and around other items such as window and door frames, pictures, moldings, nearby furniture, loose wallpaper, cracks in plaster and in clutterBite identification:Most often, bed bug bite are harmless. Generally there is no pain caused from the bite, however sometimes a person will have a strong or allergic reaction to a bite, which can cause large itchy welts to appear. Bed bug bites will go away on their own and do not normally need medical attention from a Dr., however if you do react badly to a bite you can apply an anti-itch ointment or see a Dr. for a prescription. Bed bug bites also typically look a lot like a mosquito bite and the bites often appear to as itchy, flat sores that often appear in groups of 3.It’s also important to know that bed bug bites are not currently known to spread disease. It is believed that they could in future and that it’s only a matter of time, but right now, they do not. Currently, the most significant health affect is psychological including stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue which is caused by the presence of bed bugs.If you think you have bed bugs, call Cottage Country Pest Control at (705)534-7863 today or email us at ccpestcontrol@gmail.com to book your appointment!Check back tomorrow for part 2 of Bed Bugs and how to identify their bites or for more information on where bed bugs have been found check out www.bedbugregistry.com