Bed bugs are among the most common pests in the world. They’re also frequently accompanied by myths, old-wives tales, debunk-able DIY treatment advice, and other misinformation. To clear the air, our experts at PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor have put together this guide on 10 myths about bed bugs. Read on to discover bed bug myths and the truths behind them, and shop industry-leading bed bug solutions with our team today!
Myth #1: Bed Bugs Cannot Be Seen With The Naked Eye
Though small, bed bugs can, in fact, be seen with the naked eye. Look for small, oval-shaped insects that are reddish brown in color and 3–5 millimeters in length. Their eggs are pinhead-sized and translucent.
Myth #2: Bed Bugs Are Only Found On Beds
Bed bugs feed on human blood, so they naturally gravitate to the bed. But beds aren’t the only places bed bugs are found. They also make their homes in clothing, carpeting, and other places in close proximity to humans.
Myth #3: Bed Bugs Only Infest Dirty Places
In the event of an infestation, getting rid of clutter will help you treat bed bugs faster. That being said, bed bugs can live anywhere — even in the tidiest of places.
Myth #4: Bed Bugs Only Live Cities
Bed bugs are commonly thought of as urban pests. While it’s true that bed bug infestations are found in higher concentrations in cities, that’s only true because larger cities are densely populated with humans. Bed bugs themselves will infest any space with people. Small cities and towns are not immune. All it takes to spread bed bugs is an infested traveler or two.
Myth #5: If You Have Bites, You Have Bed Bugs
If you’ve woken up with a bite, you may be tempted to think bed bugs are the culprits. While this could be true, there are thousands of other insect pests that also bite. To definitively determine whether you have bed bugs, you need visual proof of the bugs themselves.
Myth #6: If You Don’t Have Bites, You Don’t Have Bed Bugs
It seems logical to assume that since bed bugs feed on human blood, bites would show themselves on human skin. While this is mostly true, some people are not affected by bed bug bites. In fact, studies show that 30% of people do not show signs of bed bug bites when bitten.
Myth #7: Bed Bugs Transmit Disease
While on the subject of bed bug bites, we’ll dispel the commonly held myth that bed bugs transmit diseases to humans. To date, there have been no cases or studies that indicate bed bugs transmit diseases to humans.
Myth #8: Bright Light Will Scare Away Bed Bugs And Stop Them From Biting
While it is true that bed bugs prefer dark, cramped spaces, that doesn’t mean light will stop them from biting — let alone infesting a space in the first place. You’ll have to do a lot more than simply turning on the lights to avoid or combat a bed bug infestation in your space.
Myth #9: Chemicals And Pesticides Alone Will Exterminate Bed Bugs
Certain chemicals and pesticides can be effective at killing bed bugs, but they should not be used as a singular extermination solution. For one, it’s virtually impossible to reach all bed bugs in a fully-furnished place through chemical application. If you opt for a chemical treatment, you’ll need to be sure to supplement it with vacuuming, and steaming, laundering belongings, as well as sealing areas and gaps where bed bugs can hide.
However, even the best supplemental practices may yield ineffective results during chemical treatment. This is a fault of the chemicals themselves and one that’s becoming increasingly prevalent. Recent studies show that roughly half of the existing bed bug species that feed on human blood are developing resistance to chemicals used in common insecticides. (These insecticides can also be harmful to the environment and those on your property.) For an eco-friendly, efficient, and 100%-effective alternative, we suggest using a bed bug heater from our engineers here at PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor.
Myth #10: Products May Claim To Be Effective At Exterminating Bed Bugs Without Proof
Pesticides and other pest control products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency must have legitimate data to back their claims. That being said, there are many over-the-counter products that claim to yield results that are not backed by legitimate data. Products without pesticides, or with pesticides that are exempt from registration requirements may make exaggerated claims without proof. When shopping for bed bug control products, always use caution and read reviews before buying. If you’d like to learn more about the data supporting our bed bug heaters here at PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor, get in touch with our team.
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Want to learn more about bed bugs and how to treat them? Our team here at PrevSol Bed Bug Heat Doctor would love to help out. Contact us directly to speak with a member of our team today!
Sources
Bed Bugs. NYC Health. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/bedbugs.page
Bed Bug Myths. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/bed-bug-myths
