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ShareBed bugs are one of the most common pests in the United States, and while many people get a severe infestation sooner or later, some worry about the possible health risks. With so many itchy bites each morning it’s common to wonder if bed bugs are dangerous.
Luckily, we have all the information you need in one place. We’ll discover the possible health risks when it comes to bed bugs and some of the best ways to get rid of them completely.
Let’s go!
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are flat and brownish insects without wings. They might be one of your home’s most common and resilient pests, but people often confuse them with other bugs.
Bed bug infestations can become severe in a couple of weeks, so it’s crucial to manage the pests as soon as you notice any signs that bed bugs are present. This can include itchy bite marks, blood stains on the sheets, or even adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs.
In order to live, reproduce and thrive, bed bugs need blood, and they especially love human hosts. So, naturally the most common place you can find bed bugs are the rooms you reside in the most or better said – your bedroom.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Bed bugs are a persistent nuisance, but they are not considered a direct danger to your health. While most bed bug infestations begin with a few itchy bites, you will soon discover that their numbers rise exponentially if you don’t use the appropriate tools and traps to eliminate pests.
So, bed bugs are not dangerous, but they are quite annoying and unpleasant.
In addition, some people develop severe allergic reactions to the proteins in the saliva that bed bugs produce while biting and feeding. So, even though many will only have a few red bumps, some individuals can require medical attention.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?
Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases. Bed bugs may be bothersome because they cause itching and disrupt sleep. Itching can occasionally cause excessive scratching, which might raise the risk of subsequent skin infection.
So, unlike other crawlers such as roaches, you won’t get an infection directly, but you might have severe skin conditions that need to be treated.
How Do I Know If a Bed Bug Has Bitten Me?
It’s difficult to tell if an insect bite is from a bed bug or another bug.
Bed bugs are active at night and feast on your blood while you sleep. To consume, bed bugs employ a specific anesthetic and an anticoagulant in their saliva, which allows for improved blood flow. These substances block the pain receptors in our skin, and most individuals detect red and itchy bites the next morning or even a couple of days later.
Furthermore, some people have no sensitivity to bed bug bites, whilst others are more susceptible to the protein. This is one of the reasons you should use interceptor or glue traps to confirm the infestation before deciding on the best strategy to deal with the pests.
What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?
There are many ways to eliminate bed bugs from your home and especially from your bedroom. Most of the time if the infestation is not severe you can use bed bug interceptors and glue traps to confirm, monitor, and eliminate many bed bugs at once.
If the infestation is becoming severe you have a couple of options:
1. Use heat
Bed bugs and the eggs they lay are very sensitive to high temperatures, so you can use tools to fight the infestation with heat. Bed bug heaters penetrate all the places in your room for optimal results and complete elimination of bed bugs.
Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and only use reliable heaters.
2. Use bed bug-killing sprays
Aside from heat, there are several bed bug-killing sprays on the market that quickly kill all bed bugs that come in touch with it. Avoid harsh chemicals and pesticides by choosing safe and environmentally friendly options.
3. Call pest control
If the infestation is serious and you don’t want to deal with the bugs on your own, calling professional pest control is always a smart choice. The exterminator crews are equipped with specialized gear and have the necessary skills to deal with the problem quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
Bed bugs are not the most hazardous pests, but they are persistent, unpleasant, and can disrupt sleep and even trigger serious allergic reactions in certain individuals. That is why you must eliminate bed bugs as soon as possible in order to enjoy the pleasant night’s sleep you require.