Category: Bed Bugs
Read time: 6 minutes
Bed bugs are more than just unwelcome guests; they can quickly turn a good night’s sleep into an itchy, frustrating nightmare. Worse yet, new research is raising questions about the health risks associated with these pests. Keeping your home protected starts with knowing whether bed bugs spread disease and recognizing the early signs of a problem. A little information goes a long way toward keeping these little hitchhikers from settling in your home.
Why Are Bed Bug Infestations Increasing?
Bed bugs have made a comeback in recent decades, and there are a number of reasons behind their resurgence. One factor is increased travel, which gives these sneaky little pests more opportunities to move from one place to another. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on luggage or clothing, allowing them to enter your home undetected and potentially lead to an infestation.
To make matters worse, bed bugs seem to be developing resistance to some insecticides, making them harder to control. Knowing what attracts bed bugs, how to spot the warning signs, and what you can do to prevent an infestation can help you stay one step ahead of these persistent pests.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Bed bugs generally are not considered dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you want them around! Their bites can leave behind itchy, red marks, and excessive scratching can increase the chance of a secondary skin infection. Some people may also have allergic reactions to bed bug bites, which can cause swelling or hives.
In rare cases, a severe bed bug infestation can cause enough blood loss from repeated bites to contribute to iron-deficiency anemia. Just knowing that you have bed bugs can affect your mental health, causing stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Do Bed Bugs Carry or Spread Disease?
Here’s the reassuring part: there’s still no clear evidence that bed bugs spread disease from one person to another. A 2023 study has given researchers something new to investigate: whether bed bugs could play a role in spreading MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection.
In a laboratory experiment using blood capsules covered with artificial skin, researchers found that bed bugs could pick up MRSA during one feeding and spread the bacteria during a later feeding. But that doesn’t mean bed bugs are spreading MRSA to people. Researchers haven’t shown that this happens outside the lab, and more research is needed to understand whether it poses a real-world risk.
So, no need to add MRSA to your list of reasons to lose sleep over bed bugs. The research is worth watching, but for now, itchy bites, allergic reactions, and the stress of an infestation remain the more established concerns.
What Attracts Bed Bugs to Your Home
Contrary to what a lot of people think, bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirty homes or poor housekeeping. All they’re really looking for is a blood meal. They’re drawn to the warmth and carbon dioxide people give off, which helps them find a host to feed on. But how do they get into your home in the first place?
Bed bugs typically hitch a ride on clothing, luggage, or even secondhand furniture. In apartment buildings or hotels, bed bugs can also move between rooms and, in some cases, spread through cracks and crevices in walls. Even though clutter doesn’t attract bed bugs, it does give them more places to hide once they make their way inside.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation (Beyond the Bites)
You can’t really tell if you have bed bugs just by looking at your bites. Bed bug bites can look like bites from other insects, and they can sometimes be mistaken for other types of skin irritation. To make things trickier, some people never react to the bites at all, so they may have them in the house and not even know it.
You’re much better off looking for what bed bugs leave behind. Check your sheets and mattress for reddish stains from crushed bugs and tiny dark spots that may be bed bug droppings. Of course, it’s possible to spot the bed bugs themselves hiding in the seams of mattresses and box springs. They can also be found in cracks and crevices around the headboard or bed frame.
In the photos here, taken during actual Fox Pest Control inspections, you can see both of these telltale signs. The first shows dark fecal spotting across bedding, along with a visible bed bug. The second shows multiple bed bugs tucked along the seam of a fitted sheet, surrounded by dark fecal spots.
Signs of Bed Bugs on Furniture and Secondhand Items
Secondhand furniture might be a great deal, but it can also give bed bugs easy access to your home. Before you bring furniture inside, spend a few minutes looking for signs of bed bugs on the furniture, including reddish stains, small dark spots, or even live bugs. Make sure to examine cracks, joints, and small areas where the pests could hide.
One common misconception is that a piece of furniture is safe as long as it isn’t upholstered. You can still find signs of bed bugs in wooden furniture. Before bringing any secondhand furniture into your home, inspect it carefully for bed bugs, eggs, and other signs of an infestation. If you find evidence of bed bugs, don’t bring the piece inside. Follow local recommendations for properly disposing of potentially infested furniture.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs When Traveling
As soon as you get to your hotel room, do a quick check for bed bugs before unpacking. If you spot anything concerning, go to the front desk and ask for a new room. Just make sure it does not share a wall with your original room and is not located in the same general area.
When you arrive home, leave your suitcase out of the bedroom and unpack it in the garage, if possible. Put your clothing in the wash, following the care instructions for each item. Then dry the items on the highest heat setting the fabric can safely tolerate to help kill any remaining bugs or eggs. Finally, vacuum your suitcase and give it a careful inspection before putting it away.
When to Call a Professional About a Bed Bug Infestation
If you think you have bed bugs, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. These pests can be difficult to get rid of on your own, and just a few bugs can quickly multiply into a full-blown infestation. If you’re concerned about bed bugs in your home, calling a professional early can help you get ahead of the problem.
At Fox Pest Control, we know how unsettling it is to discover bed bugs in your home. Our team can help identify the problem and recommend a treatment plan to help get these unwanted pests under control. Contact us today and let us restore your peace of mind.
