Debunking The Top 7 Myths About Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs – Chicago, IL – A-Alert Exterminating Service IncThe mere thought of bothersome bed bugs in your bed as you sleep can be terrifying. And with all the fear surrounding these pests, many myths have been passed around, leaving many people confused and uninformed. To clear up all this confusion, this post debunks seven common myths about bed bugs. 

1. Bed Bugs Can Go a Full Year Without Feeding

While it’s true that bed bugs can go for a long period without feeding, they can’t last a whole year. Adult bed bugs can survive for at most three months in a room with ideal temperature and humidity conditions, and even that’s rare. Young bugs need to feed more often. 

2. Clean Homes Don’t Have Bug Issues

Unlike most pests, bed bugs aren’t attracted to clutter or human food. As long as there are people in your house pumping blood, you’re at risk of a bed bug infestation. This means you can find these pests almost anywhere, from high-end hotels and luxury apartments to homeless shelters. Keeping your home clean and clutter-free can help identify and exterminate bed bugs faster as they like to hide in clutter. 

3. The Best Way to Eliminate Bugs Is to Throw Away the Mattress

This isn’t true. You can exterminate bed bugs from your home without throwing away your expensive mattress. Professional bed bug exterminators utilize different treatment options, including heat and chemical treatments, to eliminate all the bugs hidden in your mattress. 

Throwing away the mattress isn’t an effective control method as bed bugs aren’t constrained to the mattress. They can hide in bed frames, couches, dressers, bookshelves, or chairs.

4. Bed Bugs Are Nocturnal

Bed bugs are primarily active at night because that’s when their human hosts are asleep. They know they can suck your blood without any disturbance. However, they can operate during the day as well, depending on human activity. 

If you were to adjust your schedule to start sleeping during the day, bed bugs would become more active during the day. And switching on the lights as you sleep isn’t a remedy, as these pesky pests are wise enough to know when you’re asleep.

5. All You Need Is a Foam Mattress

There’s a common belief that bed bugs can’t bite you while sleeping on a foam mattress. This belief emanates from the fact that bed bugs can live in foam. While bugs can’t live inside a foam mattress, they can live outside it. They can also stash themselves in small cracks in your bed or even crevices on your bedroom wall. So, even while sleeping on a foam mattress, you’re still vulnerable. 

6. Bed Bugs Are Urban Pests

Sure, bed bugs are common in towns and cities. But that’s because those places are densely populated; hence, there’s plenty of human blood. It’s also why bed bugs are common in places many people frequently come and go, such as hotels, resorts, hostels, schools, and hospitals. However, you can easily find them in rural and suburban areas just as easily as you would find them in major cities. 

7. Bed Bug Bites Come in Groups of Three

Yes, waking up with three bites on your arm may signify a bed bug infestation. But that’s not always the case. The bites may be from other insects. 

People’s reactions to bed bug bites are different. Some people develop reddish marks, while others have rashes, itches, or swelling. Others don’t even show any reaction at all. The only way to be sure you have a bed bug problem is if you have seen the actual bed bugs or after a professional inspection. 

If you suspect you have got a bed bug problem in your home or commercial setting, call our bed bug exterminators at A-Alert Exterminating Service, Inc. We will conduct a professional inspection to determine if you have a bed bug infestation and then come up with a safe and effective treatment plan to control the infestation.

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