You’ve just seen a bed bug in your daughter’s bed. After screaming and killing it, your next thought is, “What if it makes her sick?!”. Can bed bugs give you a disease? The good news is that no research thus far has shown a correlation between bed bugs and diseases. There are bugs that can make you sick, and the most common one probably bites you every year: the mosquito. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal or insect on Earth. Malaria, typhus, etc, cause death and despair across the globe. But, bed bugs are not in that league. As far as we know, they do not transfer any disease or sickness when they bite you.
Must Read: How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Is That a Bed Bug?
Bed bug bites are similar to mosquito’s, as both have a proboscis that comes from their head. This proboscis is like a long nose, a nose they use to stick into you and suck up your blood. Now, people will have different reactions to bed bug bites. About 50% of people have little or no reaction to a bed bug bite. Many times people will not know they have bed bugs, as their body is not reacting to the bite. It’s when a friend or loved one comes to their home who does react, that suddenly they find there’s a problem. Of the people who do react to bed bugs, the reaction can be as small as a small mark, or as large as hives or large bruises. It can happen right away, or it can take up to 48 hours to show up.
What’s That Bite?
Bug bites are not the best indicator of whether or not you have bed bugs. Since 50% of people won’t react to a bed bug bite, you just don’t know for sure what caused that bite. And, there are many bugs that can cause bite marks besides bed bugs: mosquitos, fleas, chiggers, ticks, mites, no-see-ums, flies, etc. If you are getting bites on your body, you need to test to see if you can figure out where they are coming from. Stay inside for a day or two and see if you get any more bites. If you don’t, they are probably from the outdoors (not bed bugs). If you’re still getting bites, then try to see when it happens. Is it when you sit on your couch, or when you go to bed? (maybe bed bugs) Or is it when your dog sits on your lap? (probably fleas) If you can’t figure it out, you need to call a professional.
Call a Pro
A professional will know how to look for bed bugs in your house. Bed bugs hide in many areas besides your bed, so a professional will search all of the areas they know bed bugs inhabit. They know what they are looking for, and that can make all the difference. Many times I have gone to a customer’s house who suspects bed bugs but cannot find them, even though they looked. Because I know what I’m looking for, I have found bugs in minutes, if not many times in seconds. “Here, on the curtain, this is a bed bug.” “What, I never thought to look there!” That’s why a professional is the first person you should call when you suspect bed bugs.
Don’t waste time, that will allow the infestation to get worse. The faster you get rid of them, the cheaper it can be. If your whole house has to be treated, it’s going to cost more. Although bed bugs won’t make you sick, you don’t want them living with you. Call Rock Pest and talk to the best.
FAQ's
Bed bugs are small, nocturnal insects that thrive worldwide. They typically come from places where a high volume of people come and go, such as hotels, dormitories, or apartment buildings. They hitch a ride on people’s clothing, luggage, or used furniture, allowing them to spread to new environments. Despite popular belief, bed bugs are not a sign of poor hygiene or cleanliness in our homes or businesses.
Signs of a bed bug infestation can vary, but there are a few key indicators to watch out for. The most obvious is the presence of live bed bugs, which are small, flat, and brownish-red. Other signs include tiny blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases, dark spots of bed bug excrement on bedding or walls, and a musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands. You may also notice itchy welts on your skin upon waking up.
While bed bugs are a nuisance and their bites can cause itching and loss of sleep, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. However, some people may have an allergic reaction to their bites, leading to discomfort or even infection if not treated properly. It’s important to deal with a bed bug infestation promptly to prevent it from spreading and to minimize its impact on your health and well-being.