Bed bugs, the notorious creepy crawlies that have been giving us sleepless nights for centuries, are on the rise. Unfortunately, they're not showing any signs of slowing down. Blame it on our ever-increasing travel habits, which give these pesky bugs a free pass to spread like wildfire.
But don't worry; there's good news! By arming yourself with the facts about these bloodsuckers, you can protect your home from a bed bug invasion.
So, what else do you need to know about these unwelcome guests besides their love for hotels and other high-traffic areas?
What are the signs of bed bugs? Can bed bugs live outside?
In this article, we’ll give you all the answers you need to know about where bed bugs thrive and if they can survive a few days to weeks outdoors.
Don’t forget that Zunex is also your top stop for bed bug control in the Greater Puget Sound! Contact us for more information about our bed bug elimination services.
Picture this: you're fast asleep in your cozy bed, and suddenly you wake up feeling itchy and uncomfortable. You scratch and scratch, but the irritation only worsens. You brush it off as a simple rash, but what if it's not?
It could be the dreaded bed bugs, small but mighty insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, causing a world of discomfort and distress.
These sneaky pests know how to stay hidden in the smallest of nooks and crannies. They make themselves at home in your mattresses, bed frames, box springs, headboards, furniture, and even behind wallpaper.
They're nocturnal creatures that come out to play when you're asleep, so if you spot them during the day, you could have a major infestation on your hands.
But that's not all - bed bugs leave behind telltale signs of their presence. Keep an eye out for their small, white eggs along the seams of your mattress or furniture. You might also spot their shed skin or casings there too.
The red itchy bites are the hallmark of a bed bug infestation. These can be painful, cause swelling, and drive you up the wall. Don't wait until the infestation has taken hold - if you notice any of these signs in your home, take action right away to prevent the bed bugs from spreading.
Bed bugs can come from various sources, such as other infested homes, secondhand furniture, or even from travelers. They are excellent hitchhikers and can travel from place to place on clothing, furniture, or luggage, so it is important to inspect any secondhand furniture or clothing before bringing them into your home.
Unlike other pests, bed bugs don’t naturally live outdoors. They can hitch a ride on someone’s clothing or sneak inside a bag, but they’re not usually found in nature of their own free will.
Because their primary food source is blood, bed bugs require frequent contact with humans to stay alive and maintain their dietary needs. Like German cockroaches and house spiders, bed bugs have evolved to rely on humans to thrive!
But can bed bugs live outside?
The answer is yes; bed bugs can technically live outside. Surprisingly, bed bugs can withstand relatively cold and hot temperatures, meaning extreme weather conditions won’t necessarily phase them.
Stable cold temperatures can eventually eliminate their ranks. Instead of dying once the temperature drops, bed bugs will slow their movement and remain dormant until the weather grows warmer. Still, it must stay below 0 degrees for a few days for measurable results.
Bed bugs can survive for several months without feeding and can even persist for up to a year in temperatures between 45°F (7°C) and 90°F (32°C).
If cold and heat treatments work well, can bed bugs live outside on a hot or sunny day? Unfortunately, most climates aren’t strong enough to eliminate bed bugs unless you live in an area prone to extreme weather conditions.
While bed bugs can’t sustain themselves alone outdoors, you shouldn’t rely on this option for pest control. They can last weeks or months without blood access and stick around on your furniture or clothing without robust pest control solutions.
You can take a few measures to protect your home from bed bugs. The first step is to inspect any secondhand furniture or clothing before bringing them into your home. Wash bedding, vacuum regularly, and examine thrift store finds before bringing them into your home.
Check out this guide from the Environmental Protection Agency for more details on spotting bed bugs in mattresses, chairs, and couches. Plus, it can even give you vital information on how to find signs of bed bugs in other areas, like your carpet and walls!
After visiting a hotel or vacation home, toss any clothes in the dryer for an hour on high heat to rid yourself of any bed bugs that may linger around. While this option doesn’t work for oversized items, you can prevent the spread of bugs through your clothes.
Prevention options are helpful, but sometimes these pests sneak through the cracks! You can use different methods to control bed bugs, from heated treatments to freezing infected items or a combination of chemical and non-chemical approaches.
Many store-bought chemical treatments are ineffective and can even worsen the infestation. You should always rely on trained professionals to remove bed bugs safely.
Bed bugs are a nuisance and a source of distress for homeowners. If you have a bed bug infestation, it is essential to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible.
Professional pest control companies have the knowledge and experience to effectively and safely eliminate bed bugs from your home. At Zunex Pest Control, we can easily spot the signs of a bed bug infestation and remove them from your home.
With our proven treatments, we’ll have you sleeping soundly in no time. Contact us today to schedule a pest control service!
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