Bed bugs are rather disgusting pests that are known for sucking the blood of humans and leaving small, red marks. They are also known for living in mattresses and for being difficult to remove. However, while all of these things are true, people often have misconceptions about bed bugs and might have heard myths about these pests. We are here to help dispel those myths and tell you the truth about bed bugs.
Myth 1. Bed bugs are too small to see.
While it’s true that bed bugs are tiny, they aren’t impossible to see. If you know what to look for and where to look, you can see bed bugs with the naked eye. Here is what bed bugs look like:
- They are reddish-brown.
- They are oval-shaped.
- Their bodies have a striped or ribbed look.
- They are oval-shaped.
Myth 2. Only dirty homes get bed bugs.
While you might assume that bed bugs are attracted to dirty places, they actually don’t particularly like dirt or filth. In fact, they are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide which is how they can tell where humans are. However, while both dirty and clean homes can have bed bugs, homes with more clutter make it easier for bed bugs to hide.
Myth 3. Bed bugs are only found in beds.
While it’s common to find bed bugs hiding in mattresses as this is a good environment for them to be close to a human "food source," they can hide in many other places. Bed bugs are commonly found in piping, cracks in walls, headboards, couches, and even in appliances. Bed bugs can also be found on items they hitchhike on such as purses or luggage.
Myth 4. Bed bugs aren’t dangerous.
While bed bugs aren’t known to transmit any diseases, there is still research being done on this topic. However, just because bed bugs aren’t known to carry illnesses doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. Bed bugs can cause secondary infections from scratching the bites, and they can also cause anemia if the infestation is bad enough. However, the most common problem associated with bed bugs is insomnia. And sleeplessness can cause all sorts of problems.
Myth 5. Bed bugs will go away on their own.
While it would be nice if bed bugs would just go away with time, this isn’t the case. Bed bugs are extremely invasive pests that are very hard to remove. In fact, instead of going away over time, the infestation will grow and worsen.
Bed bugs can go months without a meal, making them especially resilient. Also, they are hard to eliminate because they hide in so many small cracks and crevices. If every bed bug, including their eggs, isn’t eliminated, the infestation can keep coming back.
Myth 6. It’s easy to get rid of bed bugs on your own.
While you might be tempted to try to remove a bed bug infestation on your own, it’s not advisable to do so. Bed bugs are difficult pests to eliminate for good, and you'll just end up wasting time and money while also being highly stressed out if you try to DIY this problem. The best and most efficient way to eliminate bed bugs is to contact the professionals at Prosite at the first sign of a problem. We even offer free consultations, so give us a call today to get started.