What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely on human and animal blood, though people are their preferred hosts. The bed bug's flat, dark-colored, oval-shaped body allows these pests to hide in dark, tight spaces, well out of the sight of their hosts.
Further adding to the bed bug's ability to remain undetected, these pests are nocturnal and feed at night while their hosts are sleeping. When bed bugs bite, they inject a mild anesthetic to make sure the feeding process is painless.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
In order to feed, bed bugs bite and create an opening in our skin. Anytime your skin is broken, there is a chance of an infection. People who are allergic to bed bug saliva will develop a red itchy rash that only increases the possibility of a secondary infection developing due to excessive itching.
Though bed bugs feed on the blood of various hosts, they are not a significant vector of diseases that make people ill. However, having bed bugs living in your home causes stress and a lack of sleep that can affect your immune system and lead to an increased risk of becoming sick.
Why do I have a bed bug problem?
Bed bugs hitchhike their way to new places on us and on our belongings. They crawl onto us and travel with us across the street, across town, and even across the ocean! Hiding inside secondhand furniture, clothing, and mattresses is another common way a bed bug infestation can develop in a home.
Where will I find bed bugs?
Bed bugs are indoor pests that make themselves at homes wherever there are people. These nocturnal insects like to be near their preferred hosts and therefore often wind up in areas where people sleep or spend most of their time.
Listed below are some of a bed bug's favorite hideouts:
- The seams or under upholstered furniture, mattresses, and box springs
- Under rugs or the cracks of wooden floors
- Behind baseboards and wood trim
- In cracks that develop in walls or inside electrical outlets
- Under piles of dirty laundry and other clutter
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
Because they hide in the dark cracks and crevices of our homes, finding and eliminating bed bugs is difficult. The best solution to a bed bug problem is to partner with an experienced professional. At Greenville Pest Control, our professionals understand bed bug biology and behavior, helping them to appropriately treat and completely eliminate these pests from homes and businesses.
If you live in the Greenville, South Carolina area and are experiencing problems with bed bugs, reach out to the local professionals at Greenville Pest Control. We always go above and beyond for our customers, solving pest problems while having your family's safety at the forefront in everything we do. To learn more about our effective bed bug control solutions, call Greenville Pest Control today!
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, protect your property from bed bugs with the following prevention tips:
- Be hyper aware of the potential presence of bed bugs when traveling or spending time in a public place. Always inspect your surroundings before placing your belongings down.
- When in public places, don't leave personal belongings on the floor for long periods.
- After returning home from travel, immediately wash and dry (on the highest heat setting the fabrics can handle) all the clothing you took with you.
- When purchasing used items for your home, be diligent in thoroughly cleaning and inspecting them for signs of bed bugs before bringing them indoors.
- Regularly vacuum the floors in your home and change bedding.
- Place bed bug-proof covers on all mattresses and box springs in your house.
