Bed bugs are a common pest -- so common that there’s a whole lot of misconceptions floating around about their behavior and how best to get rid of them. We’re here to shine a light on this misinformation and equip you with all you need to know to make sure you don’t become a pincushion for the tiny parasites.
Misconception: Bed Bugs Are Too Small To See
Bed bugs in Lexington are indeed tiny, and they can be incredibly difficult to spot since they stick to dark areas and typically only come out to feed at night. They are dark brown or reddish in color, too, making them blend right into dark fabrics or carpeting. However, bed bugs can actually be seen by the naked eye. Bed bugs typically grow to a few millimeters in length, and even their rice-sized eggs can be spotted if one is persistent. While they’re not invisible, you’re far more likely to encounter the aftermath of a bed bug feeding than to spot them crawling around.
Misconception: Only Dirty Homes Get Bed Bugs
Because pests often accompany squalor and filth, we tend to think that they are only a problem in untidy areas. But remember your school lessons about head lice and remember that bed bugs are the same: they prefer clean areas where they can nest and move around easily. With bed bugs, they typically hide in places where they can access the spots where animals or people might rest or sit. Even clean homes and businesses can fall victim to a bed bug infestation, which is why only persistent and expert solutions can truly control their populations.
Misconception: Bed Bugs Spread Disease
Unlike many other pests that bite, bed bugs aren’t known to spread diseases through their bites. This is rare for blood-sucking parasites since blood-to-blood transmission is a part of their everyday life, and this is how many pathogens spread. Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, for example, all bite and behave similarly to bed bugs, and are responsible for transmitting some nasty illnesses.
However, avoiding big health concerns isn’t all one has to worry about with pest populations. Bed bug bites may be relatively harmless, but they itch, and they pile up quickly. Frequently scratching at or irritating your skin can cause scabs or infections, too.
Misconception: Bed Bugs Only Hang Out Around Beds
Because of their name, it’s natural to assume that bed bugs live and feed in mattresses, which they absolutely do. Their name is certainly well-deserved, but bed bugs can infest a variety of common items, from clothing to furniture. In fact, most bed bug infestations are introduced into homes via infested items brought in from outside. Like all insects, bed bugs can survive just fine outdoors, too, where they lie in wait on tall grasses or other areas for animals or people to brush by. They can hitchhike back to your home, and then it’s not long before they’ve found a place to nest.
Misconception: You Can Get Rid Of Bed Bugs On Your Own
Getting rid of bed bugs in your Lexington home is extremely difficult to do thoroughly. Not only are they a pain to see, but bed bug treatments and prevention methods usually only address part of the problem. Often, household methods and store-bought products are targeted only toward adult bugs and not their eggs. With professional help, you know that a trained expert has thoroughly inspected your property and applied methods that won’t just cover the problem up but eliminate it. Rather than going it alone, and wasting precious time and money as you attempt to control bed bugs, call Action Pest Control for help with bed bugs and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Lexington.