Overview:
This blog is a quick introduction to dealing with an infestation of bedbugs. As with all pests, it’s important to understand the importance of proper treatment and maintenance, to get rid of and keep pests out of your space.
Facts about Bedbugs:
Bedbugs are some of these hardest pests to get rid of, but, with proper preparation and the right team you will find a way to sleep in peace again. Bedbug nymphs (babies) can look like sesame seeds when unfed, this makes them hard to spot to the untrained eye. They only gain a reddish hue after feeding on their first host. Bedbugs are natural travelers, easily and stealthily riding on luggage, coats, and other cloth materials to new homes.
Contrary to popular belief, bedbugs do not jump. However, they are very fast for their size, running up to 3 to 4 feet per minute. They are attracted to the CO2 produced by animals, but greatly prefer the emissions of humans. Bedbugs draw blood from human bodies for meals, so they quickly become attracted to any people they can find. They can go months without a meal, which means an abandoned building, or apartment, can still be home to bedbugs just waiting for someone to carry them somewhere new or to reoccupy the space.
Bedbugs live in any cracks and crevices they can find, preferring soft materials. They have an average lifespan of 12 to 18 months. The females feed, and then hide to lay eggs. A common way to tell the difference between other bug bites and bedbug bites are the patterns in which they bite in. Bed bugs will leave three red bite marks in proximity, referred to as the breakfast, lunch, and dinner bites. This is because all three bites are generally left by one bedbug on its own. People can wake up with many bites, but sensitivity varies. Some will have no reaction at all, while others experience large welts.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to keep these pests out of your home. The best practice in your everyday life is to vacuum regularly, as this sucks up their eggs before they can hatch. Also, whenever you go on vacation, separate your clothes from the trip from any clothes left at home. Put them in plastic bags, then wash and dry them at the highest possible heat before reuniting them with the rest of your wardrobe.
However, if you have, or suspect you have, bedbug issues, you need the help of a professional to address the issues properly and safely. Be sure to notify anyone who entered your space as quickly as possible and isolate all cloth materials so the spread of bedbugs can be contained. Please contact us at A-Z Environments so we can work with you to get these pests out of your space once and for all.