Are Bed Bugs In Yakima County Dangerous?

When bed bugs appear in Yakima County homes, they can cause quite a bit of concern. But how concerned should you be if you find these insects? Will bed bugs transmit diseases to you or your family? Do they have venom? Will they feed on your pets? What exactly can you expect when these pests get into your home? Here's what you need to know.

Bed Bug Bites

Most of the problems bed bugs cause are associated with the bites they inflict. Let's break this larger problem down into all of its smaller problems.

Diseases — There are many insects that can transmit diseases. Some are far more proficient at doing this than others. Ticks, for instance, are known to transmit a long list of diseases that have the potential to be deadly or that have the ability to become chronic. Fortunately, bed bugs are on the other end of the scale. There is currently only one disease known to be transmitted by bed bugs. It is called Chagas disease. While potentially deadly, and scientifically proven to be transmitted by bed bugs, there are no known cases in the United States at this time.

Venom — Bed bugs do not have a need for venom. They do not subdue their prey. They attach to mammals, draw the blood they need, and then crawl away. Therefore, there is no need to be concerned about the dangerous symptoms associated with a venomous bite or sting. There is, however, the concern of an allergic reaction. Have you heard of anaphylaxis? This is a potentially deadly reaction caused by the venom of a stinging insect. Well, bed bugs can cause an allergic reaction as well. When a bed bug feeds, it injects an anticoagulant to thin the blood. Over time, this anticoagulant can cause a rash around the bite wounds, or a swelling of the wounds. This is mild compared to anaphylaxis, and other allergies associated with venom, but it is still something to be aware of. Bed bugs can range from small itchy bumps to large painful welts. The severity of the wounds is related to the severity of the allergic reaction. Young people tend to be more sensitive than seniors. The elderly tend to have little or no allergic reaction.

Threat To Pets — Bed bugs have a preference for human blood. But, while they will choose a human over a dog or cat any day of the week, they are known to feed on dogs and cats when they infest homes.

Bacteria — Some pests, like the cockroach, can be a significant health threat because they pick up harmful bacteria. If a cockroach bites you, the wound can immediately become infected. This is not the case with bed bugs. A bed bug isn't going to get into your trash, drains, litterbox, mop bucket, and other dirty places. There is no need to be concerned about bacterial infections with this pest. Bed bugs are also not going to make you sick by leaving invisible illness-causing organisms on surfaces and fabrics.

Anemia — Any pest that draws blood can cause the condition known as anemia. If a bed bug infestation goes untreated, this is a concern. The symptoms of anemia range from mild to severe. It is a good idea to deal with a bed bug infestation as quickly as possible.

Other Problems

Bed bug bites are not the only concern. There are other ways bed bugs can impact you and your family. Here are just a few to consider:

• Many sleepless nights can make it dangerous to operate a motor vehicle.
• A bed bug infestation can make friends and family avoid you. If you have a big event coming up, such as a birthday, anniversary, or reunion, you're probably going to have to reschedule.
• Social life is challenging for kids. When bed bugs are found, it can be traumatizing for some— though it shouldn't be. Bed bugs don't target dirty homes or dirty people. They spread passively from one place to another without preference.

What To Do When You Find Bed Bugs

At the first sign of bed bugs in your Yakima County home, contact Prosite. We can guide you in quickly correcting your problem, and we can help you navigate all of the many challenges that can come with a bed bug infestation. Reach out to us today for immediate assistance.