5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a prolific pest problem across our nation. Given their ease of spreading, the hitchhiking ability they have, and the Hitchcock-like desire to feed on human blood, they have rightly taken the title as one of the worst pests to enter any home or business.These pests can be found in all 50 states in places like: bedrooms, hotels, airports, hospitals, libraries, dorms, and pretty much any place a human tends to inhabit. While most of us know some of the basics about their behavior, there are some things that we find many homeowners don't know about these insidious pests that they might be interested in learning.

Bed Bugs Are Big Eaters

If you find yourself with a potential bug infestation, you probably have noticed small red, itchy bites on your torso, legs, or arms. These could be from the bugs who are active at night and need to feed. Unfortunately for many homeowners, they feed on human blood. In fact, bed bugs are known as big eaters (or drinkers). Bed bugs can ingest more than seven times their body weight at one time. That may mean that you have become their main source of nutrition.

Bed Bugs Don't Discriminate

For a time, these insidious bugs were synonymous with poor living conditions. The truth is that these pests do not discriminate. No one, no matter their status or financial level, is immune to bugs. They will inhabit a run-down motel room just as easily as a five-star hotel. Don't think that just because you are vacationing at a fancy resort that you are protected. Always follow our guidelines for examining hotel rooms and other public places before you get settled in.

Bed Bugs Follow A Schedule

Bed bugs are most active during the nighttime hours when their hosts are sleeping. They feed in a fairly predictable pattern and will be full about 5-10 minutes after beginning a meal. Generally, they eat about three times a day similar to humans and will leave a cluster of bite marks that will be itchy and red after a few hours. After eating for a while, many bugs return to hiding where they will digest, rest, and eventually lay eggs.

Bed Bugs Use An Analgesic

Human hosts of bed bugs often are unaware that they are being feasted upon due to the fact that the saliva of a bed bug serves as an analgesic. The saliva of bed bugs contains components that act as an anesthetic, promoting blood flow at the bite site and making the feeding process quick and nearly painless until the host wakes to find the signs of being bitten.

Bed Bugs Are Elusive & Difficult to Eliminate

These critters are small, reproduce quickly, and are most active at night. These three things combined make them fairly difficult to find and eliminate. Our treatment plans can quickly identify the hiding locations and evict these pests from your home or business. Check out our bug remediation page and options that you have available.