Bed Bugs: A Quick Snapshot

Known to be the one of the most annoying “parasitical hitchhikers” of the world, Bed Bugs give most people an icky feeling - and for good reason.

At around ¼ of an inch long, these tiny, pesky creatures find their way into beds in order to feed on humans. With this in mind, it’s important to be able to identify a bed Bug when you see one.

Common characteristics include:

• A rusty-brown color
• Oval-shaped bodies that are flat when unfed and swollen when fed
• Colorless nymphs
• Bites in clusters or lines of exposed skin

If you think you are dealing with a Bed Bug issue, look for these characteristics when examining your sheets, blankets, pillows, and body.

Health Concerns Bed Bugs Bring To Your Wilmington Home

Thinking about bed bugs “feeding” off of humans is enough to make anyone concerned about their health and the health of those living in their home. You might be wondering about the health risks of bed bugs. Let us fill you in on their feeding habits and the effects on your health this can have.

When feeding, bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide emitted by our bodies. They “feed” on us by consuming our blood, similar to how mosquitoes feed on humans. They then retreat and hide in order to digest and reproduce. This leaves us with the question, “how does their feeding affect our health?”

Rest assured that, currently, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that bed bugs are capable of transmitting diseases. However, they are still nasty creatures that can cause insomnia and indirectly cause infections from the scratching of irritated areas of the skin. Not only can bed bugs cause these annoyances, but a large enough infestation could cause anemia in the host. With a high removal of healthy red blood cells by the bed bugs, anemia is a likely possibility.

While not seemingly catastrophic, these are dangers that should be taken seriously. No one wants to deal with irritated skin, infections, or anemia.

Bug-N-A Rug Exterminators’ Thoughts On Bed Bug Prevention

One of the most significant problems that bed bugs present is actually how difficult it is to prevent and get rid of them. They do not pop up simply because of a lack of sanitation. They can be anywhere at any time and hitch a ride with you back to your home. Not to mention, they can survive for months without feeding, in almost any environment.

We suggest you follow these tips to prevent “welcoming” bed bugs into your home:

• Examine, clean, and sanitize your luggage when returning from a trip.
• Thoroughly inspect both used and new furniture before bringing it into your home.
• Wash all new, used, and travel clothes in hot water before storing it in your room.
• Regularly change and clean sheets, pillow casings, and blankets.

Contact Bug-N-A Rug Exterminators For Bed Bug Infestation Issues

While following our tips is a great way to protect yourself and your home, no prevention is ever full proof. Call the home pest control experts at Bug-N-A Rug Exterminators, at the first sign of a bed bug infestation. Serving the area since 1996, we have the experience and resources to keep your home or business bed bug-free. With a new office in Wilmington, we can serve you even better with indoor, outdoor, and eco-friendly services. Reach out today and let us protect your home.