So, there are bugs living in your furniture that come out at night to feed on your blood. Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it? It couldn’t happen to you though, right? Some people think that bed bugs aren’t a problem in “clean” homes. Wash the sheets every week and you’ll be just fine. Unfortunately, that’s one of the many misconceptions about bed bugs that allows them to cause so much harm and frustration once they invade a Raleigh home.
Hungry Hitchhikers
If you think that bed bugs won’t invade your house because you keep it clean, think again. Bed bugs are creatures of opportunity that are trying to find a way closer to their next meal. They are incredibly small and move very slowly, which is why they’ll wait until night to come out and feed on your blood. However, they can still travel the world.
Since they’re able to latch on to almost anything, they’ll hitchhike their way all around the world on various luggage items. That’s why travel hubs like bus stations and airport terminals are such hotspots for picking up bed bugs. If you leave your bag on the ground or next to someone else’s for a while, bed bugs could migrate onto your bag and travel home with you.
Another easy way to incur a bed bug infestation is by purchasing secondhand furniture items that are already infested. You might think that a great deal on used furniture could be worth the risk, but not checking for the signs of a bed bug infestation before bringing furniture into your house is just asking for trouble.
Make sure to look for tiny bloodstains and rust-colored rings on furniture, these are tell-tale signs of a bed bug infestation. Also, keep in mind that bed bugs can infest any piece of furniture, not just mattresses. Even if you’re buying chairs or a refrigerator from an office space that doesn’t have a bed in sight, bed bugs might be tagging along to (ultimately) infest all of the furniture in your home.
Bed Bug Management Mistakes
Aside from carefully checking on what you bring into the house, there really aren’t any good ways to keep bed bugs out… on your own. If you do wind up incurring a bed bug infestation, it’s not the pests you’ll notice first. It’s the bites. These red, itchy bumps will usually appear in a straight line or zigzag pattern.
When an infestation hangs around for a while, these itchy bumps can lead to skin rashes and even permanent damage. Your skin, however, is the least of your worries. Bed bug infestations have been known to lead to insomnia and anemia as well, which can continue after the infestation has been eradicated.
When homeowners try to eradicate a bed bug infestation themselves, matters can get worse. Unfortunately, store-bought sprays or vacuuming your furniture will only get the top layer of pests. Bed bugs typically lay eggs within furniture cushions and mattresses, so the infestation will be back in just a few days. Repeating the cycle of nightly attacks and inconsistent home remedy results will simply put you at risk of more health complications.
Instead of risking your sleep cycle and your health, why not use a solution that is guaranteed to work the first time? The most effective way to deal with bed bugs for good is through the help of pest control professionals. Call Pest & Termite Consultants today to find out how our bed bug treatments can protect your health and sleep in ways that home remedies can’t.