As a kid you probably did not know much about bed bugs, that is unless you had them in your home at some point. Now as an adult, you have probably heard the name thrown around at family gatherings or perhaps even on the news. This has got you wondering. What are bed bugs? Are they dangerous? How can I avoid them? Don’t worry. If you are looking to learn a little bit about bed bugs along with some simple tricks to avoiding them here in Brooklyn, we have just the guide for you.
WHAT ARE BED BUGS?
Bed bugs are small reddish-brown, oval-shaped parasitic pests that feed on human blood to survive. Roughly the size of an apple seed, bed bugs can be found anywhere people live and are especially fond of hiding around beds. After all, who doesn’t love breakfast in bed?
When in homes, bed bugs can be identified by the bloodstains they leave on bed linens and the small dots of reddish-black fecal matter they excrete wherever they are hiding. With larger infestations, you might even be able to smell them in the air. Their scent is very similar to moldy clothing or wet shoes.
ARE BED BUGS DANGEROUS?
Unlike many parasitic pests, bed bugs are not considered dangerous. They do not typically carry disease and their bites are only harmful when inflicted regularly and in high numbers. There have been documented cases of bed bugs causing anemia, but this usually only occurs in low-income neighborhoods where bed bugs are obvious but cannot be addressed.
HOW DO BED BUGS GET INTO HOMES?
This is the big question. How do bed bugs get into homes? They can’t fly, they aren’t very fast, and their legs aren’t strong enough to jump. So what magic are these tiny insects using to get around? The truth is, they are excellent hitchhikers. Of course, you won’t find bed bugs asking for a ride. But they will climb on any item they can find and go for a ride. Your bag is their taxi, your used clothing is their limo. Items you carry around on a day-to-day basis are how bed bugs travel. All you have to do is bring an infested item home with you and, BAM, bed bug problems.
HOW CAN I AVOID BED BUGS?
You might be surprised by this, but we have already given you the tools you need in order to avoid bed bugs. You know what they look like, you know what signs they leave behind, and you know how they get inside. Your job now is to keep your eyes out for them. Check items for bed bugs and the signs they leave behind before bringing them home with you. Be especially cautious when buying used furniture. As an extra precaution, you can store clothing and other fabrics in sealed plastic bags before bringing them home. Once home, wash these items on high heat. This will kill off any hiding bed bugs. As long as you remain cautious, you will have less of a chance of bringing bed bugs home with you.
HOW TO GET RID OF BED BUGS
Sadly, there is no perfect solution to keep bed bugs out of your home. If bed bugs manage to find their way into your Brooklyn home, we have a quick and easy solution here at Broadway Pest Services. With our team of highly trained pest technicians in your corner, you will have no trouble getting yourself back to being bug-free.
Give us a call today to schedule an inspection for your Brooklyn home.