Daily Archives: November 8, 2013

Bed bugs are small wingless insects and are approximately one-fourth of an inch long.

Bed bugs have lived along side humans since the ice ages. Sometime in the early 1990s bed bugs started to reappear in the U.S. after almost disappearing after World War II. The most familiar species is the Cimex lectularius, also known as the common bed bug. The feeding habits of a bed bug are normally at night, and they exclusively feed

on blood. They prefer humans but will feed on other warm blooded animals including dogs, cats, birds and rodents.

Bed bugs usually bite exposed skin of people at night while they are sleeping. How a person reacts to being bitten by bed bugs vary from person to person. Many people develop an itchy red welt or localize swelling within a day or two. Some people have little or no reaction and still other people can have delayed reaction.

How can you detemine if you have bed bug bites?

Bed bugs are not considered effective vectors for disease, nor is the amount of blood lost harmful to its' host. While some people may find a bed bug experience horrifying, bed bugs pose less of a health risk to us then mosquitoes or pesticides used to kill bed bugs. In fact, if improperly applied, pesticide intended to manage bed bugs could be dangerous to your health.

The main medical concern is the inflammatory response (redness and swelling) to their bites. Common allergic reactions can include the development of large welts, greater than 1cm or larger. In some cases, blister-like eruptions have been reported and anaphylaxis may occur in patients with severe allergies. Also, scratching the bites can lead to a secondary infection. In addition, some people report a big drop in their quality of life because of the discomfort, sleeplessness, anxiety and embarrassment of dealing with bed bugs.

Bed bugs can be a problem in all kinds of places, including homes, apartments, hotels, cruise ships, dormitories and shelters. They have also been found to infest vehicles, movie theaters, furniture rental outlets and office buildings. While bed bugs are linked to dirty conditions, even the cleanest place can find itself faced with an infestation because bed bugs can hitch onto almost anything. It is almost impossible to determine where they came from because they can go undetected for months.

Where do bed bugs hide?

For many people, their greatest exposure to bed bugs will be while they are away from home. Therefore travelers need to know what to do and look for to avoid bringing these unwanted pest home.

Original post:
Bed Bugs — City of Albuquerque - CABQ

You may have bed bugs in your bed and not even realize it. This can be a terrifying thought, however you may want to do a few checks and know what the signs are so that you can know for sure. Many people assume that they will see the bugs or at least notice the bite marks, but this may not always be the case. Bed bugs in New Mexico can be very good at hiding, so you may have dozens in your bed and never know.

Many bugs bite to feed on blood. It is how they survive. The bite mark, however is small because so are they. The bite typically causes an allergic reaction on the skin, so that is what usually alerts people to a problem red, itchy marks. This said, some people do not have a reaction, so unless they are hunting around on their skin for little fang marks, they will never see anything.

If you do not have a bite mark and you do not see any bugs, though, you are still not in the clear. Since the bugs feed, they also produce feces, which mean you can find fecal matter on your mattress or box spring where they reside during the day. Bedbugs in New Mexico leave behind some of the blood that has not been digested all the way. It will be dark red or black and if you try to wipe it, it smears. While it is not a very pretty sight, it is an excellent indicator.

So now you know that you most likely have bugs in your home. Do not freak out and start sleeping in another room or throw out your bedding. This may not get rid of the problem and could only make it worse. If you sleep in another room, they will likely follow. If you throw out your bedding, they could still be in your room.

First, understand that they got there most likely because you were traveling. Bed bugs in New Mexico hotels are common. If you stayed in a motel or hotel recently, they likely stowed away in your luggage. Next time you stay at a hotel, keep your luggage stored as far from the bed as possible.

They are in your house now, though, so it is time to call a New Mexico bed bug extermination company. Bed bug exterminators are the only sure way to get rid of the bed bugs because they have the experience and chemicals to kill them. You will be able to rest easy knowing that they are completely out of your home.

Our exterminators can help you with:

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Bed Bugs in New Mexico - Bedbug Extermination in NM