Most pests that feed on blood are dangerous. Fleas spread diseases like the Bubonic plague. Ticks are the main spreaders of Lyme disease. Mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous creatures on the planet and are responsible for over a million deaths each year. Keeping all of this in mind, it would only make sense that bed bugs would be dangerous as well. To help you understand the risks these sleep-wrecking pests pose inside Sacramento homes, here are some things to consider.
Why Bed Bugs Invade Homes
Bed bugs are nocturnal pests that need blood to survive. The only problem is that they prefer the blood of humans and do not like living outdoors. In fact, living outdoors for prolonged periods kills bed bugs. This is the main reason why bed bugs live inside homes. Homes provide these pests with these two most basic needs.
Do Bed Bugs Spread Disease?
Most blood-feeding pests can spread disease. Mosquitoes are the most dangerous. The question is, are bed bugs equally dangerous? Absolutely not. Scientists have been studying these pests for years, and the worst they have found is that bed bugs can spread Chagas disease. If you have never heard of Chagas disease, it is because it exists south of our border and is incredibly rare here in the U.S. With that in mind, people living with a bed bug infestation may experience anemia and insomnia. Anemia, in particular, is only a problem when a bed bug infestation grows out of control.
How Bed Bugs Get Around
Bed bugs are not mobile like other pests are. They do not fly, cannot jump, and crawl no faster than five feet a minute. Keeping all of this in mind, bed bugs travel further than any other insect. This is because they hitch rides on items that people carry. One day, a bed bug could be in California, the next, it might be in Maine. It all depends on what item they find themselves on. Sometimes bed bugs will even transfer from one item to another in public. Set your gym bag down on a bench for more than 20 minutes, and your could be coming home with more than dirty clothes.
Strategies To Prevent Bed Bugs
To prevent bed bugs, you have to be constantly vigilant. To help you avoid bringing these pests into your home, here are some strategies to use in your daily life.
- Do not set bags or other items down in public for more than 20 minutes at a time.
- While traveling, check rooms you plan on staying in for signs of bed bugs before settling in.
- Teach your children to check their backpacks before coming home from school.
- Before traveling home from vacation, store used clothing inside sealed plastic bags. Wash this clothing on high heat immediately after getting home.
- Check furniture, used clothing, and other items for bed bugs before buying them.
The Best Way To Remove A Bed Bug Infestation From Your Home
Preventing bed bugs is a whole lot easier than eliminating these pests. If you suspect these pests are feeding on you while you sleep and you need a quick solution to get them out of your living areas, do not hesitate to involve the experts at Neighborly Pest Management. We work and study hard to provide top-tier bed bug control for our neighbors around Sacramento.
Contact us today to learn more about our bed bug control and schedule your Sacramento home for a thorough inspection.