Busting Common Myths About Bed Bugs

While there are all sorts of pests that can cause problems for you in your home, from ants to wasps to rodents, few of them are as annoying and disgusting as bedbugs, which seem to be infesting people’s living spaces more now than at any time since World War II. These small, oval, brown insects are parasites that feed on humans’ blood while they are sleeping, leaving itchy welts behind. They also are notoriously difficult to get rid of.

Nobody wants to deal with bedbugs in their home, but at the same time it’s important to know what is and isn’t true about them. The following is a look at some of the most common myths about bedbugs and bed bug removal:

Myth #1: Bedbugs Can Fly

Since bedbugs don’t have wings, they can’t fly, but they can crawl their way into your home even without that ability.

Myth #2: Bedbugs Multiply Quickly

While some insects like houseflies lay a lot of eggs (as many as 500 over the course of three days), bedbugs are much slower to reproduce. In fact, they only lay about one egg per day. This doesn’t make them any more enjoyable to have in your home, but it does mean their reproduction is slower than most.

Myth #3: Bedbugs Can Live a Year Without Eating

Most bed bugs can live at room temperature for up to three months without eating. These bugs are cold-blooded, however, so in colder climates their metabolism slows and they can live longer without eating.

Myth #4: Bedbugs Only Bite While You Sleep

While bedbugs are nocturnal, that doesn’t mean they only feed at night. If they are hungry enough, they’ll seek out mammal blood no matter what time of day it is.

Myth #5: Bedbugs Only Live in Mattresses

While the “bed” in “bedbug” suggests they are confined to where you sleep, these little pests can get onto any surface, though anything with stuffing, such as chairs and sofas, are ideal nesting spots for them. They can find their way into suitcases, onto your pets, and even into carpeting, which is exactly why they’re so hard to get rid of once you’ve got them.

Myth #6: Bedbugs Transmit Disease

While they can make it hard to sleep and can leave those itchy welts, there is no science proving that bedbugs transmit diseases to humans. They can transmit bacteria, which is still pretty unsavory, but not diseases.

Myth 7: Homeowners Can Spray Away Bedbugs

Bug spray isn’t enough to get rid of these little critters, which means if you really want them gone you’re going to have to call Tabor Services so we can come take care of the problem for you. Fumigation and heat treatments work best, and while that can be a headache, it’s better than wasting $8 at a time on canned bug killers that won’t work.

While there are many myths about bedbugs, here’s one thing is that unquestionably true about them: they are gross, and they are a real nightmare to get rid of once they’ve made their way into your home. Let Tabor Pest handle bed bug inspections and removal if you think you’ve got an infestation. The quicker you call us, the quicker we can get your home back to normal!
Source:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/top-10-myths-about-bedbugs/