One of the insects that people are most afraid to encounter are bed bugs. These small bugs are awful to get rid of, and while they are extremely small, they are far from easy to get rid of. Though they may seem like a thing of horror stories, there are quite a few myths that have become associated with them.
At Earthwise Pest Management, we have dealt with many bed bug infestations and are extremely educated on these pests. Let’s dive into today’s blog post for a few of the most common myths that surround bed bugs.
Myth #1: They Spread Disease
With all pests, one of the scariest things is the chance that they spread disease. There are quite a few pests that are capable of spreading disease, so it’s not unreasonable that this fear exists. It is, however, a myth.
Though you will have a brutal reaction to a bed bug infestation, they are not known for carrying or spreading diseases. You will surely feel itchy and have a tough time sleeping, but that’s about all that you have to worry about when it comes to these pests leaving their mark.
Myth #2: Bed Bugs are Only Found in Beds
While the name of this pest suggests that they are strictly found in beds, that is far from the case. When people believe that they are only going to find bed bugs in their bed, they are in for an unpleasant surprise. These little bugs will find a home in just about any seam or tight crevice that they can find. That means they could be in the seams of your clothes, curtains, couches, and the like. Don’t think that it stops at fabrics with seams, though.
Bed bugs are able to infest and hide in electrical outlets, drawers, desks, and even the heads of screws throughout your home. It is their ability to hide in so many different places that makes them one of the worst pest infestations to come across.
Myth #3: They Have Recognizable Bites
One of the ways that you’ll know you have a bed bug infestation is through the bites that your body will be covered in. Though bites are a telling sign, they aren’t unique enough to make it clear that this is what you’ve been bitten by. Bed bug bites come in all shapes and sizes, as well as levels of irritation. For some, bed bug bites will appear as more of a rash than a clear-cut bite, while others are left to experience some of the most uncomfortable conditions they’ve ever been in. The sooner that you notice the large quantities of irritable bites, the more likely that you are to get the infestation taken care of. This is, however, only the case if your bed bug bites are noticeable and recognizable. For many, bed bug infestations can go unnoticed for days before the bites are recognized as those of bed bugs.
Myth #4: They’re Too Small For You To See
If you’ve ever been told that bed bugs were too small for you to see with your naked eye, then it’s understandable that you would be so nervous about having an infestation in your home. If you’re thinking that you may have an infestation, but you haven’t seen any bugs in your bed or around the seams of your clothes — take a breath. Though these bugs are small, they’re far from invisible. These bugs are relative to the size of an apple seed, so you’d still be able to see them — especially if you have an infestation.
If you are unable to see any bed bugs when searching through your beds and the like, there’s a good chance that you have absolutely nothing to worry about. However, it’s always better to consult a professional before assuming that no further action needs to be taken.
Myth #5: You Can Take Care of Them Yourself
There are some insect infestations that you might feel comfortable taking care of on your own, and while bed bugs are extremely small, they’re not something you should try to tackle on your own. As we’ve mentioned above, these small bugs can find their way into all sorts of small crevices. Because they can hide in so many small spaces, it’s incredibly challenging to get rid of them all, especially on your own. For that reason, it’s strongly suggested that you hire a professional when you realize that you’ve got a bed bug infestation.
Teams of home pest control companies, like Earthwise Pest Management, can provide you with the high-quality pest removal that you need for long-term solutions. If you’re interested in learning more about our pest removal method or you’re ready to schedule your bed bug removal, contact our team today. Located in Sacramento, we’ve been able to provide hundreds of people with solutions to their pest control problems. That being said, we’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have and assist you with scheduling any and all services that you could benefit from.