The mere mention of bed bugs often sends people’s skin into a crawl. Bed bugs are known for how difficult it is to terminate the situation, and we often associate their presence with un-kept homes and poor hygiene. What exactly are bed bugs, how do we get them, and how do we get rid of them?

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that prefer to feed upon human blood. Bed bug infestations are often noticed after they begin biting humans. The bites often manifest in the form of a red rash and lead to itchiness or other allergic-like reactions. Bed bugs are tan and dark brown and can measure up to a quarter-inch in length.

How Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Bed bugs most often spread through cracks in structures or by the travel of humans. The parasites can survive for more than two months without feeding. An unsuspecting new renter or homeowner may find themselves infested after the bugs have crawled into cracks or crevices in the floors, walls, or even the carpet. The new residents then attract the bugs to crawl out of the woodworking, none the wiser. Bed bugs may latch onto family pets or even crawl in the air ducts from one apartment to another. Bed bugs may also spread by crawling onto people’s belongings and are then unknowingly transported to a new location. People often associate bed bugs with poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions, but these factors are rarely the cause of their presence.

How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Eliminating bed bugs from the family dwelling can be a daunting task. The most typical methods used to eradicate bed bugs include heat treating the home, including clothing and bedding items, freeze treating personal items, and deploying pesticides. Prevention methods should be enacted, after the home has been treated, to help prevent a re-infestation.