People living in the 21st century are facing a serious problem of bed bug infestation. Bed bugs have been the major highlight in the recent years due to various complications that they pose to the human beings. Physical agony, social embarrassment and financial losses are associated with a bedbug infestation. Bed bugs, which were virtually eradicated nearly fifty years ago, are back causing a huge threat, immensely disturbing the normal lives among the people. The last few decades have seen a great resurgence of bedbugs in developed countries. Though there are no specific reasons that ascribes to the growth and spread of bedbugs, international travel is one of the primary reasons for widespread travel of the bed bugs.
Symptoms of bed bug bite
Bed bug infestation can be a nightmare to the victims. The blood-sucking critters can cause severe allergic skin reactions in human beings. Intense itching, skin rash, inflammation is some of the common symptoms of a bed bug bite. Severe reactions can lead to other secondary skin infections, which may need urgent medical intervention. The exposed parts of the human body are the most affected with bedbug bites, such as, neck, face, back, arm, legs and shoulders.
Severe and repeated exposures lead other symptoms such as systemic poisoning, anaphylaxis, asthma attack and anemia. Psychologically, it can create stress, anxiety, tension, insomnia symptoms in the infected individuals.
Bed bug Spreading Mechanism
Bed bugs are great travelers and move from one place to another through luggage, baggage, clothes of the travelers. This way, they are easily brought into a new environment that was previously without an infestation. Overnight stay in a swarming place, purchase of used furniture, mattress, second hand wooden items are easy means through which bedbugs have a free channel of traveling. The biological shape and size of the bedbug also make is quite convenient for them to hide in the various hard-to-reach corners such as tight cracks in the wall, crevices, folds of the mattress and furniture.
Hiding Spots
Bedbugs usually are in clusters and make shelters closer to their food source – the sleeping or the living places of the human beings. Though beds and bedrooms are the favorite harborage, bedbug infestation can be present in other rooms such as living rooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc. as well. These areas have tell-tale signs to indicate the presence of bedbugs – fecal spots, blood spots/stains on the pillow, mattress, sofa, bed, bed linen, molt skin and bedbug eggs. Severe infestations will have an accumulation of these signs and are easier to spot.
Control Methods
Over-the-counter chemical as well as non-chemical products are available to treat a minor infestation. These normally do-it-yourself strategies are implemented without seeking any assistance of professional services.
However, in cases of severe bed bug infestation, it is recommended to use the services of a reputed pest-control company for detection and immediate treatment. Over-the-counter products may not suffice to control such infestation. Pest control companies use expert methods to detect, clean and use appropriate treatment in different sites of infestation that requires special equipment and technology.
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