Bed bugs are no joke. Once you have a bed bug infestation, it’s easy to spread and hard to get rid of. These two statements are absolutely true. There are, however, some things about bed bugs that aren’t true. Here are five myths about bed bugs in Saratoga you probably still believe.
a bed bug on the ground
Five Myths About Bed Bugs in Your Saratoga Home
- Bed Bugs Are Invisible
This is not true. While bed bugs are extremely small, you can spot them if you look close enough. They are only about 4 to 7 mm long, flat and oval-shaped, and come in several colors that range from brown or red to tan. Nymphs are much smaller (about the size of a pinhead), but you can still see them with the naked eye. You can also spot telltale signs of bed bugs by little dark spots of excrement or bloodstains. These spots are most often visible on sheets and pillows. Eggs shells and shed skin are also visible. Visibility aside, there is also a musty odor associated with the presence of bed bugs. - Bed Bugs Fly
No, bed bugs do not fly. They don’t have wings and are incapable of flight. They travel from one place to another by hitchhiking in luggage, on clothes, and even on people. This is why they are so easily spread from one place to another. - Only Dirty Homes Have Bed Bugs
Dirty homes might have bed bugs, but you can have bed bugs in the most spotless of conditions. Bed bugs do not need unsanitary or dirty conditions to live. They feed on blood, not trash or human food. If you are in a hotel that has bed bugs, you can take them back to your very clean home and they will thrive. Any house that has people or animals in it will work for them. They aren’t particular about housekeeping one way or the other. - Bed Bugs Are Only In Beds
This is a popular myth. Bed bugs get their name because they are often found in beds, where they feed on their host during sleeping hours. Beds are a common place for bed bugs out of convenience. They offer a great place to feed, hide, and lay eggs. However, bed bugs can be found in other places too. Bed bugs can live in electrical outlets, on walls, behind picture frames, and anywhere else have access to food. - Bed Bugs Only Come Out At Night
Nope. Bed bugs are usually more active at night because they feel the heat of their host. The truth is, bed bugs will come out any time they sense the heat of a human, even if you are napping in the afternoon.There are many more myths about bed bugs. Such as, you can get rid of them by leaving your home for a few days. This isn’t true as adults can thrive for 12 months without eating. Another is that just walking into an infested room means you’ll pick up bed bugs. In reality, bed bugs are hiding most of the time. Some people think bed bugs transmit disease when, in fact, they just cause allergic reactions that can itch terribly. Finally, it is a myth that bed bugs are easy to feel when they bite. Bed bug saliva contains both an anesthetic to numb the area and an anti-clogging agent to make blood flow.Perhaps the biggest misconception of all is that you can easily get rid of bed bugs. Many people think if you simply gather bedding, seal it in plastic bags, and spray your home with over the counter “bug spray”, bed bug problems are solved. It isn’t that easy. Bed bugs are hardy little bugs. The best way to get rid of them is by calling a professional pest control company.Do you have bed bugs in your Saratoga County Home? Call Old School Pest Control and let us help. Bed bugs can easily be spread from one room to another.Call us today and let us help you get rid of your bed bugs for real.