What Is Causing The Triumphant Return Of Bed Bugs?

There was a time, not so long ago, when Evansville residents never really worried about bed bugs. Bed bugs were nothing more than a silly bedtime rhyme…right? Today, bed bugs are back and infesting a variety of locations in large quantities. They have become very hard to control and regulate and are no longer just a silly bedtime rhyme, to be sure.

It’s thought that the resurgence of bed bugs is due to a variety of factors. The first and the most obvious factor is the easy access to travel across the United States and the world. One of the most common ways to pick up bed bugs is by staying in hotels. The more everyone travels, the more likely that bed bugs will be picked up and brought back to our homes, families, and communities. Another issue that has allowed bed bugs to make a comeback is the fact that most people don’t really know what to look for when checking for bed bugs. They may think a hotel bed or a friend's couch is safe and not even realize that bed bugs are present. Lastly, it is the common misconception that bed bug infestations are caused by lack of cleanliness, a belief that has actually helped in their population growth. This belief is untrue—bed bugs live in even the cleanest places. They are not drawn to filth, rather they are drawn to any area that provides an easy food source; i.e. anywhere there are humans. Don’t be deceived by a perfectly clean place. Bed bugs can be found anywhere there are a lot of people, for example, hotels, office buildings, public transportation, malls, schools, nursing homes, daycares…you get the picture. The list goes on and on. Bed bugs are nicknamed “hitchhikers” because they are so easily spread among people. 

When it comes to avoiding bed bugs, it’s important to know where and what you are looking for. You’ll want to be extra cautious when traveling and thoroughly check for signs of bed bugs in your hotel room or even while staying with family or friends. This is also true of your own home because you’ll never know when you’ll bring bed bugs home. Look for bed bugs in and around any mattresses and box springs, particularly along any crevices. Check along picture frames, the insides of nightstands, under baseboards, and around window and door frames. Also, check any furniture and behind loose wallpaper. If you begin noticing either the bed bugs themselves, darkish stains, or notice little bites along your skin, you may have already encountered bed bugs. If this is the case, prevention won’t do you any good and you’ll want to bring in the professionals. 

Action Pest Control is a leader in all things bed bugs and can solve any bed bug problems you are experiencing in your Evansville home. Our technicians know just how difficult it is to get rid of bed bugs and we use the most advanced technology to do so. We find that heat treatment is the most effective, eco-friendly, and safe method to use. However, we do offer fumigation services as well. We may even bring in our K-9 bed bug detection team to make absolutely sure all bed bugs are eliminated. Not only will we completely eradicate any bed bugs in your home, we’ll also help you prevent future infestations. We want to keep bed bugs out of your home just as much as you do. So if you need help preventing or eliminating bed bugs, contact Action Pest Control today!