When bed bugs strike, it can be a nightmare. Not only do these blood-eating insects leave bites on the skin, but they're also extremely difficult to get rid of. This is partly due to the mysterious way they breed and spread, which often leaves people wondering, "How did I get bed bugs?" If you have bed bugs and you're curious what causes bed bugs, jump over here. If you don't have bed bugs yet, here are some important things to consider about year-round bed bug prevention.
Tips For Year-Round Bed Bug Prevention
Bed bugs live almost exclusively with humans. And, since we humans prefer to stay in temperature-controlled environments, bed bugs don't have to worry too much about what the weather is like outside. For this reason, an infestation can occur any time of year. If you return from a Christmas trip, you could pick these bugs up from a hotel or motel stay no matter how cold it is outside. If you go on a skiing trip, you could get them from the lodge you stay in. But it doesn't even need to be a trip or a vacation. You could go to the movies on a cold winter day and pick bed bugs up at the theater. Bed bugs can be found in many locations, some of them surprising. It is important to know what bed bugs look like and the signs they leave so that you can recognize a potential bed bug infestation any time of the year.
Since these bugs are a year-round threat, you should never let your guard down. And, if you find a bed bug in your home, reach out to a professional for complete elimination.
It may seem like a small matter to keep an eye out for bed bugs and the signs they leave but an infestation and be extremely frustrating and even traumatizing. Bed bugs are incessant and resourceful pests. For this reason, DIY bed bug treatments usually end in serious frustration.
Why DIY Bed Bug Control Fails
When you talk to anyone who's tried to get rid of bed bugs on their own, you're likely to see an exasperated expression cross their face. This is because bed bugs are experts at eluding extermination. They've been doing it since the dawn of time. They're wired to avoid danger. If you lay chemicals down to kill them, you could drive them deep into your walls only to have them return in a week or so to feed on you again.
There are many misunderstandings when it comes to bed bug control. For example, bed bugs don't only feed at night while you're sleeping. They can feed on you while you're awake. That's why they can infest movie theaters. If you place traps under your bed legs and line your bed frame with something sticky, you'll catch some bed bugs, but you won't address the infestation. Those bugs will still find a meal. They'll bite you, your family, your pets, or a guest visiting your home even while you're awake. They'll bite you while you sit at the table eating dinner, while you're watching a movie on the couch, while you're sitting at your computer reading a blog about bed bugs, and pretty much any other place you sit or lounge.
Professional Bed Bug Control
Year-round bed bug prevention can keep a bed bug infestation from taking root. If you notice evidence of bed bugs in a piece of luggage before you bring it inside your home, you can do something about those bugs before you bring that luggage inside. If you recognize signs of bed bugs on a piece of furniture, you can stop those bugs at your door. If you wash your clothes at the hottest temperature when you come home from a trip, you may prevent a bed bug infestation without knowing it.
Bed bugs are a serious problem. Recent studies are linking bed bugs to human pathogens. For a long time, scientists were unsure if bed bugs were vectors for diseases. Now there is no doubt. These insects don't just leave tormenting bites on the skin, they can make us sick. Very sick. As of this writing, the data on bed bug disease transmission is in its early stages. We will do a more detailed article on this as solid test studies appear.
It is vital to stay vigilant all year long. Look for the signs, learn to recognize these bugs, and when you find them in your home, contact a professional.
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