Bed Bugs
What are bed bugs?
Bedbugs are small, wingless, reddish-brown parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep.
Where do bed bugs hide?
They hide in the cracks and crevices of beds, box springs, headboards, bed frames and other objects around a bed.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease due to their slow metabolism when processing the blood they feed on.
What do bed bug bites look like?
Symptoms of bed bug bites are similar to symptoms of other insect bites and rashes:
- Inflamed spots, often with a darker spot in the middle.
- Itchy.
- Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster.
- Located on the face, neck, arms and hands.
30% of people have no reaction to bedbug bites, while others experience an allergic reaction that can include severe itching, blisters or hives.
My partner doesn't react to bites, but I am getting bit by something, what else can I look for?
Dark blood spots on sheets and bedding may indicate bed bug feeding. In severe infestations, bed bugs may be more noticeable. A combination of bugs, cast skins (empty shells of bugs as they grow from one stage to the next), and fecal spots will be very obvious when closely seen.
What should I do?
Leave your bedroom as consistent as possible. Do not panic and start frantically picking up all fabrics from your room and running all over the house to get them into the hot wash. You can spread the infestation that way. Schedule a professional immediately, follow their instructions thoroughly, and they will help solve this stressful situation for you.