There are number of myths about bedbugs, and the pest experts at Terminix hope to set the record straight.
MYTH: Bedbugs only live in beds.
TRUTH: Although they flourish in mattresses, box springs and bed frames, bedbugs can be found in a variety of environments, including airplanes, daycare centers, restaurants, subways, dressers and purses. Bedbugs’ small, flat bodies make them experts at hiding. The most obvious way to detect the presence of bedbugs is bite marks to the body, but those may take up to 14 days to appear, so look for other signs such as shells of bedbugs, live bedbugs in mattress seams, a sweet musty odor or small blood spots on mattresses and sheets.
MYTH: Bedbugs only feast in the dark.
TRUTH: Bedbugs do prefer darkness, but keeping the lights on won’t deter the pests from biting. Bedbugs readily feed anytime a host is available, including during the day. Often, bedbug victims don’t even realize they’ve been bitten until marks appear. These marks are similar to that of a mosquito, with a slightly swollen, red area that may itch or be irritated.
MYTH: There’s a one-step solution to eliminating bedbugs.
TRUTH: Bedbug control can only be maintained using a variety of techniques. Bedbug populations in different areas of the country have developed resistance to common pesticides, so, to truly tackle the problem, pest control pros have to take multiple approaches.
MYTH: A doctor can tell you if you have bedbugs.
TRUTH: It can be difficult for a doctor to differentiate between bedbug, mosquito or other flying pest bites because everyone reacts differently. If you suspect you have bedbugs, Terminix recommends checking for other signs in your bed and throughout your home to confirm their presence.
MYTH: Bedbugs don’t warrant public health concerns.
TRUTH: Though they’ve not been shown to transmit diseases to people, bedbugs are listed as a public health pest because their bites can cause an allergic reaction.
Source: Terminix