In today’s blog post, we're going to talk about a topic that's been bugging people lately - bed bugs. To be fair, these biting pests have been plaguing humans for a long time but our pest control company and other industry professionals have noticed an increase in calls about bed bugs recently. It turns out that there is a connection between the coronavirus pandemic and what’s going on with bed bugs.
First things first, what are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on human and animal blood. They prefer to live in close proximity to their hosts, feeding at night and hiding away during the daylight hours on mattresses and box springs, under carpeting and flooring, behind baseboards, on window treatments, and in furniture cracks to name a few places.
While they are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, redness, and discomfort. Secondary skin infections are also possible if victims scratch excessively. Also, bed bug infestations can cause significant stress and anxiety for property owners.
How the pandemic has impacted bed bugs
During the early days of the pandemic, many businesses and public spaces were closed their doors and quite simply people stayed home. Because fewer people were out and about, bed bugs had fewer opportunities to hitch a ride on unsuspecting hosts (i.e., humans). This led to a temporary decline in bed bug populations in many areas.
Did bed bugs die?
Unfortunately, not. Although bed bugs normally feed a few times a week, they can live for several months without a blood meal. Of course, a blood meal is necessary for egg laying and so reproduction efforts were adversely affected. Well… adverse for the bugs, not for us!
Post-lockdown bed bug activity
Now that lockdowns are lifted and people are feeling more comfortable shopping in town and resuming their normal routines as well as traveling both domestic and abroad, bed bugs are making a comeback. In fact, pest control companies across the country have reported an uptick in bed bug infestations in recent months.
How you can protect yourself and your family from bed bugs
The best way to prevent bed bug infestations is to be vigilant and take preventative measures. When traveling, inspect your hotel room or rental property for signs of bed bugs before unpacking. Actually, before you even bring your bags into the unit, you should look for signs of bed bugs including:
- Reddish-brown bugs (they’ll be flat if they’ve not fed recently and plumper and darker in color if they have) on beds, upholstered furniture, nightstands, etc.
- Tiny white eggs
- Ink-like black spots on bedding or furniture
What to do if you think you brought bed bugs home with you
With spring break just around the corner, there’s a good chance your family may be taking for warmer weather. If, upon returning home, you suspect that you have bed bugs, it's important to act quickly. Contact a pest control company that specializes in bed bug extermination to inspect your property and treat if these biting bugs did in fact arrive home in your luggage or on your person. Do not attempt to treat the infestation yourself, as this can make the problem worse.
Contact Arrow Pest Control for effective bed bug control services in NJ
At Arrow Pest Control, we offer effective and customized bed bug control services that include the use of physical, thermal, and chemical means to exterminate bed bugs -completely!
When you contact our locally owned and family-operated NJ pest control company about a possible bed bug problem, we will conduct a thorough bed bug inspection and then, if we confirm there is an infestation, our bed bug control pro will explain the results and recommend a treatment plan.
Offering effective bed bug treatments in Franklin Lakes, Maplewood, and Short Hills as well as throughout our multi-county service area, Arrow is ready to help you get rid of bed bugs (and any other pests you might be seeing in and around your home)!
