This week coming up is National Bed Bug Awareness Week – April 22 – 28. In an effort to combat bed bugs and help humans to avoid or minimize contact with bed bugs, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) selected a week devoted to educating the public about this pest.
NPMA released the findings of its 2018 Bugs Without Borders research which found some interesting statistics about bed bugs and pest control companies:
- 97 percent of pest professionals treated for bed bugs in the past year
- More than half say summer is the busiest time of year
- 84 percent of pest control professionals reporting being contacted to treat another type of problem only to discover bed bugs present instead
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are called bed bugs because they feed on humans sleeping in their bed. Anywhere people gather, that is where you will find bed bugs such as homes, hotels, offices, schools, stores and public transportation.
Contact a pest control professional as soon as you see a bed bug to inspect your home, confirm what pest it is and to treat.
Habits
These pests are considered hitchhikers and love to travel wherever you do. They move in boxes, suitcases, and shoes to be near a food supply. They are nocturnal in nature and are very elusive to locate hiding in cracks, crevices, behind baseboards, in folded areas of beds, bedding and adjacent furniture, especially mattresses and box springs.
Bed bugs hide in wallpaper, picture frames, electrical switchplates, and inside a home, car, or bus. Bed bugs typically come out at night for a blood meal. They will also enjoy a blood meal during the day in heavily-infested areas. It takes bed bugs about 5-10 minutes to engorge with blood. Then, they hide for 5 to 10 days in a secluded place.
Life cycle
The bed bug life cycle after a gorge of blood from their victim, they do not feed during this 5 to 10 day period, but instead digest their meal, mate, and lay eggs.
Threats
Bed bugs primarily dine on humans but can dine on any warm-blooded animal. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases. The biggest threat is their bites can become red and itchy welts.
Bed Bug Prevention
Here are a few tips that can help you prevent bed bug infestation in your home:
- When returning home from a trip make sure you vacuum your suitcases.
- Check for tell-tale blood spots on your bedsheets.
- Keep your suitcase in a large plastic bag during hotel stays.
- Pack a small flashlight to inspect for bugs where you are staying.
- Thoroughly inspect any second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and box springs before bringing them into your home.
- Have a pest control professional inspect the furniture and treat.
- If you have pets, regularly inspect where they sleep for signs of bed bugs.
Contact a local experienced pest control company at the first signs of a bed bug infestation.
Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators has state certified inspectors, and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant, and flea services to both commercial and residential clients. Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation, or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence.
Request a FREE Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators. Contact Us Today at 727-787-2127.
