Just the thought of bed bugs causes people to recoil and twitch. While nothing new, bed bug infestation in our homes, hotels, dormitories and even offices has reached a new high. Bed bugs (Cimex Lectularius) are parasitic insects that are small flat and reddish-brown. They feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. And, warning here comes an ugh - they can live several months without a blood meal!
While the Centers for Disease Control do not consider bed bugs a medical or public health hazard for the majority of Americans, having them in their homes is unacceptable. The CDC does acknowledge that excessive scratching can sometimes lead to secondary skin infections. Some people have an allergic reaction to the bites and require medical attention.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found some Americans have suffered ill effects from the poisons used to control bed bugs. Many of the cases studied were do-it-yourself owners or tenants who misused the chemicals or applied the wrong product. The government has urged consumers to call professionals in dealing with bed bugs. The illnesses reported may also have been coincidental to the exposure according the government. While this report tells us little conclusively, it should serve as a warning that self treatments or DYI for bed bugs can come with significant risks. Professional pest management companies are trained in the use of heat, chemical and other modalities to treat bed bugs.
So what do you do if you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstances of finding bed bugs in your home? First and foremost, call a pest management company with bed bug experience. They will do an investigation of your home and some companies even utilize specially trained dogs to "sniff out" bed bugs. They will review various treatment alternatives with you.
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