Luckily, bed bugs aren’t known to spread diseases. But you may see some bites on your skin and it could cause a lot of irritation
An infestation left ignored can lead to worsening skin irritation and the potential to spread them everywhere you go. Bed bugs will hide in your clothes and bags, and can easily travel to other rooms and houses.
It may not seem like a big problem when you only have a few bites, but an infestation can quickly get out of control. And the longer you’re infested the more time they have to stain your mattress and nearby furniture.
Bed bugs are usually near the area where you sleep, but you could find them in any crevice in the same room. Check your walls sockets, behind dressers and pictures frames, underneath your bed, or anything that offers a convenient hiding spot.
A common misconception about bed bugs is that they only infest unsanitary environments, but this isn't true. Anyone is susceptible to a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs are most active during the night and feed when you are asleep. If left unchecked, their populations can easily get out of control. Catching a bed bug infestation early is the key to getting rid of them.
It takes a bed bug approximately two months to develop from nymph to adult. They will molt five times before reaching maturity. A blood meal is required between each molt.
Their diet is simple - blood. Typically, a bed bug will feast on your blood for a few minutes and then scurry away to the crevices of your bed to digest. Bed bugs generally feed once a week.
Bed bugs can go up to a year without a blood meal. This is why bed bugs can be hard to treat and impractical to leave units vacant. Often bed bugs will go dormant or spread to nearby units.
The most common way bed bugs are introduced into your home is by bringing them back from travelling or unsuspecting visitors. Bed bugs can also be picked up from public transit, move theaters, and even new furniture stores.
When travelling it is important to do a thorough inspection of your hotel room upon arrival. When returning home, isolated your luggage, launder everything immediately and vacuum your luggage.
With visitors, hang coats in the coat closet and never throw them on your bed.
