Frequently Asked Questions with Bed Bugs
Question: Do Bed Bugs only live in beds?
Answer: No. Despite their name, bed bugs do not live solely in beds. While bed bugs are usually found in beds, they can also be found in numerous other places. These places can include, but are absolutely not limited to, bedside furniture, couches, sofas, recliners, and end tables. They can also be found in wall plugs, behind loose baseboards, anywhere close to a feeding source that provides a nice dark hiding place for them.
Question: Do Bed Bugs Only Come Out At Night?
Answer: No. While nighttime is when they usually come out and feed, this has more to do with human's sleep schedule and not bed bugs themselves. Bed bugs become active when they detect a feeding source is nearby. They do this by detecting the heat human's put off and also the carbon dioxide human's breath out. When they detect these two things, they come out for a feeding session.
Question: Do Bed Bugs Only Infest "Nasty" Houses?
Answer: Absolutely Not! Bed bugs do not require a "nasty" house to infest, live, and even thrive. I have personally treated super clean houses for bed bugs. Now, while they do not require a cluttered or nasty home, having a clean and tidy home does make it easier to get rid of them.
Question: Do Bed Bugs Transmit Diseases?
Answer: According to the CDC, No. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases. However, their bites can cause a tremendous amount of itching and a loss of sleep. Repeated bites over a prolonged period of time can cause a serious allergic reaction.
Question: Are Bed Bugs Too Small To See?
Answer: No. Despite what some people think, bed bugs are not microscopic, and can easily be seen with the naked eye.
Question: Do Bed Bugs Live On My Pets?
Answer: No, bed bugs do not live on pets. This is where they differ tremendously from other blood-feeding insects such as fleas or ticks. However, even though not common, bed bugs can bite your pets.
Question: Where Can You Get Bed Bugs From?
Answer: Everywhere! While this is a bit exaggerated it is true, you can pick up bed bugs anywhere. However one of the main places people pick up bed bugs and bring them home is during vacations/travel. Staying either in other people's homes or a hotel/motel is usually where they are picked up. Other common ways include picking them up at a movie theater, buying a used mattress, buying used furniture, or visiting with someone (either at your house or their's) who currently has bed bugs.
Question: What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Answer: Like this.
Last but certainly not least, the most common question we are asked.
Question: How Do I Tell If I Have Bed Bugs?
Answer: The most obvious answer is to see an actual bed bug or to call a professional. However, usually clients who have bed bugs typically notice unexplainable itchy insect bites, usually thought to be mosquitoes or fleas. However, one of the tell-tell signs of bed bugs is the ink-like stains that are found on sheets, covers, mattresses, or box-springs. Below are some pictures of these stains.
