5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT BED BUCKET INFESTATIONS

Bed bugs are a major problem in today's society, but their prevalence has increased astronomically since then. Tiny and hard to see, bed bugs can be itchy and squalid. They spread quickly and infestations usually require professional treatment. But many people are misinformed about these pesky invaders. Here are 5 amazing facts you should know about bed bug infestations.

1. Prevalence of infestation

Bed bugs do not discriminate. Although they are most prevalent in residential settings, including private homes and apartments, they are also found in a wide range of other places. Dormitories and shared accommodation appear to be the most common habitats outside of homes. This means that hotels, motels and other rented accommodation are particularly at risk, as are nursing homes and college dorms. However, bed bugs can live for a long time even without a meal, which means they can appear in surprising places. The 2013 Bugs Without Borders investigation, conducted by the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky, also found bedbug infestations in schools, office buildings, movie theaters, laundromats, airplanes. and even restaurants. In short, any place where humans congregate could be at risk of bedbug infestation.

2. Seasonality of the infestation

Bed bugs are not considered a seasonal pest because they have the ability to survive a surprisingly wide temperature range. However, many pest control professionals who responded to Bugs With Borders noted that they respond to more bed bug calls in the summer than in the winter. There is speculation that this could be because people are more mobile during the warmer months, creating more opportunities for bedbugs to travel.

3. Bed bug displacement abilities

Bed bugs can travel great distances very quickly. Although the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that they only cover about 100 feet per night and prefer to stay within eight feet of sleeping humans, bed bugs are well known for their abilities to hitchhiking. They can travel in luggage, folded linen, mattresses, sheets and even upholstered furniture, as well as on people and their clothes. Since bite marks can take a few days to appear, by the time you realize you have been bitten you may have no idea where it may have happened or if you have accidentally carried bed bugs from one place to another.

4. Health risks of infestation

Although extremely annoying, bed bugs are generally not considered to be a risk to public health. They do not carry any known illnesses and cause only minor irritation, redness and itching in most people. However, few people have a more severe allergic reaction to bed bug bites. Additionally, the bites can be extremely itchy, leading to prolonged scratching. If your scratching breaks the skin's surface, you could be at risk for secondary infections.

5. Where do bedbugs live

A common myth is that bed bugs are a sign of a dirty house. However, this is simply not the case. While they can certainly infest dirty homes, they also infest luxury homes, five star hotels, and other high quality establishments. They are usually carried by travelers, who may have unwittingly picked them up on public transport or at another location. There seems to be some truth to the belief that cleaning up the clutter can make treating bedbugs easier, but only because the clutter provides them with additional places to hide. If you find bedbugs in your home, rest assured that you are not alone and that the infestation is not affecting your housekeeping skills.