Bed bugs are a pest that fills many homeowners with fear, and there is good reason for this. These small, disgusting pests bite people while they sleep in order to get a meal, and they are also quite difficult to prevent or to remove once they get inside.
While most people know some about bed bugs, there is a lot of misinformation out there about these nasty, biting insects. To help you protect your home from these pests, we’ve put together a guide to bed bugs in Bettendorf centered around dispelling myths about the species.
Myth: Bed bug infestations only impact dirty homes.
The truth is that bed bugs can invade any home whether it is spotlessly clean or very dirty. This is because bed bugs are picked up from somewhere else and brought onto a property by unsuspecting people. They are hitchhiking pests that will catch a ride on things like purses and luggage while you’re out and about. They can be picked up nearly anywhere from laundromats or buses to hotels and local businesses.
The other way that bed bugs get inside is by bringing in secondhand items that are already infested. And, it’s not just mattresses you have to worry about. While bed bugs tend to prefer sleeping areas, they can also get into things like couches, other upholstered items, and even small appliances.
Myth: Bed bugs spread disease.
While bed bugs are definitely disgusting and frustrating to deal with, there isn’t any concrete evidence that they spread illnesses to humans. However, just because they aren’t known to transmit pathogens doesn't mean they can’t cause other health issues.
On a minor level, a bed bug infestation can leave you with itchy, annoying bites that usually appear in a line or zig-zag pattern. And, these bites can cause other concerns, too. The constant biting throughout the night can lead to insomnia and scratching the bites can lead to secondary infestations. In severe cases, people can also develop anemia.
Myth: Bed bugs are too small to see.
While it’s true that bed bugs are tiny pests, they can be seen by the human eye. The adult bed bug is around the size of an apple seed, and you can identify bed bugs by their reddish-brown color and circular-shaped bodies. They are usually quite flat except after they’ve just eaten.
Along with identifying bed bugs themselves, you can also look out for other signs of a bed bug infestation which include:
Rusty brown stains on bed sheets and mattresses
Bloodstains on bedding
A strange, musty smell
Myth: It’s not that hard to remove bed bugs on your own.
While some homeowners try to remove bed bugs using do-it-yourself methods, this is hardly ever effective. The truth is that to truly eliminate a bed bug infestation every single egg, nymph, and adult will need to be removed. Most DIY methods just can’t do this, and it can potentially be dangerous to use strong chemical products if you don’t have experience.
However, there is one effective way to get rid of bed bugs and that’s through contacting the experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators at the first sign of an infestation.
We provide both residential and commercial pest control options, and we will get rid of every single bed bug so the infestation doesn’t return. Give us a call to learn more or schedule an inspection.