Bed Bugs
Few creepy-crawlies in the insect world have the mental and emotional impact on people like Bed Bugs. They come out at night…while we're sleeping…to drink our blood…Sound familiar?
C. lectularius (the common Bed Bug) is tiny, with a flat, oval body roughly the size of an apple seed, which can expand to nearly twice it's normal size while feeding, turning from muddy brown to dark red. Because they are small, nocturnal, and can stay hidden for months without a meal, Bed Bugs can be challenging to identify, and even harder to eradicate without professional help. In fact, few homeowners actually see these blood-sucking little vampires at all, and only become aware of an infestation through common signs, including:
- Pin-sized blood stains on sheets or pillowcases.
- Dark spots (Bed Bug excrement) on sheets, mattresses, bedding, and walls.
- A rank, musty odor from the Bed Bugs' scent glands.
- Flat, red welts in zigzag lines or small clusters (Bed Bug bites) on the torso or extremities.
Masters of Hiding
This ability to escape detection and stay hidden for long periods also renders home-remedies and store-bought chemicals practically useless, as their active ingredients can dissipate long before the Bed Bugs resume their feasting. Though they prefer human blood, Bed Bugs will settle for household pets and other small animals, as well.
A full-blown
infestation
can occur with frightening rapidity. Female Bed Bugs lay hundreds of eggs over their lifespan. These larvae can themselves begin reproducing in as little as 30 days, leading to an explosive number of Bed Bugs throughout your home. They can bite prolifically, covering their host in dozens of itchy and painful welts, which can cause allergic reactions similar to symptoms of the common cold. They also can carry the parasite which causes Chagas Disease.
The Rise And Fall Of DDT
With the invention of the vacuum cleaner, and wide-spread use of
DDT
in the 1940s, Bed Bug infestation became a thing of the past, and reports of their presence plummeted world-wide. Unfortunately, DDT proved to be nearly as dangerous to humans and wildlife, as it was to the insect world. Due to massive public outcry, the use of DDT was banned in 1972. Bed Bug infestations returned with a vengeance in the late 1990s. Increased international travel, a general lack of public awareness, and the insect's own genetic adaptation to common pest control chemicals have all encouraged their massive regrowth.
Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite
Second only to lice perhaps, the DIY methods of evicting Bed Bugs from your home can be an all-out siege of frustration, effort, and expense. Every piece of fabric, bedding, and clothing would need to be stripped, washed, heat dried, and then stored off-site until the extermination is successful. Mattresses would require professional cleaning or replacement. Carpets and furniture must be treated and thoroughly vacuumed, and walls, ceilings, and all other surfaces will need to be treated, scrubbed, and dried. Then, you'll need to do the same with all of the equipment and materials you used. Even after all of that work, re-infestation rates are frighteningly high, as Bed Bugs can lay eggs in places that we are simply not equipped to reach. For complete eradication, you'll need to turn to licensed professionals, like our technicians at Delta Pest Control, who know where to look and what to look for and have the training, equipment, and chemicals to do the job right. Call us at the first sign of trouble.
408-389-4225
contact@deltapestcontrolservice.com