Bed bugs camp out in bedrooms because they feed on sleeping humans. These pests target humans and prey on every warm-blooded creature they can find. That means that these bugs also target sleeping pets in the area.
Alone, bed bugs are not that harmful, but they are more like pests with how fast they can spread and occupy space. It’s the insect bites that you need to check. The bites are small and might not feel itchy initially, but they are propane to complications.
Some people have adverse reactions to getting bed bug bites. Skin problems and allergic reactions can develop in some people due to the bites. A quick solution would be to go for over-the-counter treatments for mild itching or even a doctor’s check-up.
Defining Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are one of the most well-known home pests for people worldwide. These pests don't choose where to live; as long as there is the blood that they can feed on, they will continue to infest the area.
The tiny pests survive and quickly produce when they detect carbon dioxide from warm-blooded humans and animals. The bugs can also see the presence of warmth and moisture in the body, making it easy for them to track their meals.
Bed bugs are hard to catch because they appear only at night and hide during the day. When people and pets are fast asleep, insects can quickly crawl into your bed and start biting you. By morning, you’re left with pest bite marks all over.
From Where Do Bed Bugs Come?
The surprising thing about these insects is that they always seem to come from nowhere. However, how do pests get to where they are? Can they infiltrate houses and rooms from the outside, or do they need to be brought inside by someone?
1. Public Transportation
It might surprise you, but public transportation is one of the most common places where pests come from. Since the insects are small, they can fit into cracks and crevices. They can also hop in on any person’s bag or luggage and travel home.
Public transportation is a popular hiding hub for insects because of the number of people using it. These insects are traveling bugs and can never stay in one place at a time. They will hide in bus seats and climb onto people’s bags or clothes.
2. Hotels/Motels/Apartments
Another popular spot for bugs to hide is in hotels, motels, or apartments. For any commercial property with rooms that have furniture and mattresses, there is a possibility that bed bugs are also there. As more people go in and out of these establishments, there are more chances of insects also entering and infesting the place.
Usually, people who go on vacations stay at these places for a long time. Then when they go home, there is a high chance that they unknowingly take pests with them. Not all commercial establishments have insects, but those infested contribute to the spread of pests.
3. Used Furniture
Old or used furniture is also where bed bugs love to hide. It’s because your furniture that is not regularly cleaned is a safe space for pests to hide from humans—usually, pests like hiding in corners or cracks where people won’t see them immediately.
That’s why you get instances that you get pest infestations in new buildings. The pests get transported into the area through the old furniture you bring. When it comes to pest control, some opt to get rid of infested furniture and avoid further spreading the insects.
How Do Bed Bugs Affect a Person's Health?
It’s normal to feel like you want to move away when you find pests in your home. If you don’t hire pest control services, these insects will only spread more quickly. The more insects are in your home, the more bites you and your family could get.
The bugs take residence in your home and can transfer from one room to another without you even noticing. Bed bug bites not only look gross but are also reminders that the bugs have crawled over you while sleeping.
To eliminate the bugs, the best option is to call pest control services. There are health risks from prolonged insect bites, and it’s not healthy for any family to live with a pest infestation.
Is It Possible to Get Sick From Bed Bug Bites?
Bed bugs aren’t known to transmit diseases to humans, but at least 20 illnesses are found in them. They can carry worms, bacteria, and even viruses. However, there are other ways these pests affect people's and even animals’ health.
1. Allergic Reactions
In some cases, people have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites which pose a severe health issue. The insects feed on your blood, and the body shows severe allergic reactions after being bitten.
It happens mostly to people who are more hypersensitive regarding insect bites. Among the worst results is having anaphylactic shock. It’s a severe allergic reaction where one could feel lightning in the chest, itching the throat, and wheezing.
2. Bite Infections
Another bed bug bite effect would be infections. Usually, these pests transmit pathogens, and one can develop infections after scratching the bites. When one scratches the insect’s bites, they unknowingly spread the germs throughout their skin.
The more they scratch, the more the skin gets infected and could even lead to streptococcus. Scratching the bite poses a risk since not everyone can control it. The best way to lessen the scratching is to use antibiotic ointments on the bites.
3. Loss of Sleep
With bed bugs attacking at night, some people feel uncomfortable sleeping afterward. In turn, it can make people lose the rest their bodies need after an exhausting day. Losing important sleep can lead to other health risks.
Sleep disorders could form from lack of sleep, which has more consequences for the body. The risks include diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and even heart attack. Each person’s body needs an adequate amount of sleep every night, worrying about bugs biting you could affect that.
Bed Bug Prevention Tips
The best way to ensure that no bed bugs start any infestation in your home is to contact pest control services. If you already know that there are bugs on your property, you only need to call a local pest control service for them to locate and remove the infestation quickly.
Pest control services can permanently eliminate infestations and advise you on preventing them from happening again. The type of pest control solution you should go for depends on the severity of the infestation in your home.
