Tiny Survivors
Because
they are no bigger than an apple seed and have a flat body, bedbugs can
hide almost anywhere. They may find a home in your mattress, your
furniture, an electrical outlet, or even your telephone (Which can be annoying). Bedbugs tend to
stay within 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 m) of beds and seating areas. Why? To
keep close to their food source
Bedbugs often bite while their victims are asleep.
However, most people never feel the bite because the bugs inject an
anesthetic that allows them to feed for up to ten minutes without
interruption. And although bedbugs may feed every week, they have been
known to survive without a meal for many months.
Granted, unlike mosquitoes and some other insects,
bedbugs are not known to spread infectious disease. Nevertheless, their
bites can become itchy and develop into welts, and many people suffer
emotionally. Bedbug victims may endure insomnia, shame, and even
“phantom bites” long after the bugs are gone.
Keep Bedbugs Out
Bedbugs can afflict anyone. They are easier to
manage if you detect them early. So learn to recognize the signs of
bedbugs at home and when you travel. Inspect your furniture, baseboards,
and luggage for small eggs the size of poppy seeds and for blood
stains. Use a flashlight to improve your chances of spotting them.
Give bedbugs fewer places to hide. Seal cracks
and crevices in walls and door frames. Although uncleanness does not
cause bedbugs, they will be easier to spot and control if you vacuum
regularly and reduce clutter. In a hotel room, you may reduce the chance
of having bedbugs travel with you if you keep your suitcase off the
floor and the bed.
If Bedbugs Invade Your Home
If you find bedbugs in your home or hotel room,
you may be anxious and even ashamed. It is hard, but not
impossible to get rid of bed bugs. Inspect for bedbugs, and take steps to prevent them from hiding in your home.
Do not, however, underestimate the challenge of
exterminating bedbugs. If you find bedbugs in your home, a licensed pest
controller can likely give you the help you need. Pest controllers now
combine several other effective methods to treat the bugs. Bed bug management requires just as much
cooperation from the occupants as from the [building] management and
pest control company. By following the technician’s instructions and
taking reasonable precautions, you can do your part and not “let the
bedbugs bite”!