Why Bed Bugs Are the Most Misunderstood Pests

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to manage. Homeowners may find it hard to identify a bed bug once seen, and even then removal would still require the help of professionals to effectively get rid of them. Despite the rising research done on these pests, there can still be some confusion when it comes to the nature and behavior of bed bugs.

This article presents some of the common reasons why bed bugs are the most misunderstood pests.

Bed bugs can be confused with other bugs

It can be easy to mistake bed bugs for other small insects that share a similar resemblance, like beetles and ticks, and this is large because bed bugs do not have any defining physical characteristics that would easily distinguish them.

Other insects that are commonly misidentified as bed bugs include spider and carpet beetles, booklice, cockroach nymphs, and fleas and ticks.

A good way to rule out bed bugs from their lookalikes is to see how they move. If it cannot jump or fly, then it would most likely be a bedbug.

Bed Bugs can be difficult to spot

Bed bugs are small and nocturnal, so they can hide all day, making it difficult to know if you have them. The easiest way to determine if you do have them is to check warm, tight, covered places, such as the seams of your beddings, the insides, corners, the sides of your box spring, your dust cover, and your bed frame. Make sure to check cracks and crevices should you come across them and consider using a flashlight and a magnifying glass.

A telltale sign of an infestation is seeing small black spots stained on furniture and covers because those could be bed bug fecal matter. These can accumulate in cracks, crevices, and wherever bed bugs can thrive, although these may remain unnoticeable until severe infestation.

Bed Bugs can flourish in various temperatures

Bed bugs flourish at room temperatures around 70 degrees. However, these stubborn pests can survive a wide range of temperatures. Elevated temperatures of 118-degrees or higher kill adults and nymphs as well as destroy eggs. The heat must be constant for 20 minutes for adults and at least 90 minutes for eggs, making bed bug heat treatments one of the best methods in bed bug removal. Temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit can also kill bed bugs. 

Bed bugs removal must be done professionally

Given the difficulty in spotting bed bugs, DIY traps have become an appealing way to bring out these pests. Sadly, these homemade traps, typically yeast mixtures, often fail to work because of the insufficient amount of carbon dioxide released. 

To effectively remove bed bugs from your home is to acquire the help of professionals. With bed bug heat treatments and a maintenance routine set to keep your encasements sanitized, bed bug removal will be a breeze.

Beat the Bed Bugs!

Because of their appearance and behavior, bed bugs are one of the most annoying pests to deal with for homeowners, and one of the most misunderstood too. Being able to correctly identify a bed bug when you see one and contacting a professional service provider will prevent further infestation. Make sure to keep your surroundings bed bug-free to optimize your home’s health.