Among all of the insect pests that you might encounter in your home, bedbugs are one of the most unwelcome. These parasites feed on human blood, and usually conceal themselves in furniture, carpets, and beds. There are many types of bedbug; however the one that is responsible for most infestations is Cimex lectularius, aptly named ‘the common bedbug’.
Bedbugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide produced by respiration, and also to your body heat. They are mainly active at night; however they are still able to bite during the day if given the chance. A single bedbug can bite a few times while feeding, with around 3 or 4 bites occurring in less than 10 minutes. These bites often form a straight line, which is called the ‘breakfast, lunch, and dinner’ pattern. Bedbugs can live up to a year without feeding, but they will look for a meal once every couple of days.
For decades, bedbugs were rare in Western nations. With the introduction of the pesticide DDT in the 1940s, bedbugs had been nearly eliminated from most urban centres. DDT eventually proved to be toxic to wildlife, and widespread use was eventually banned in many nations by 1980. As a result, bedbug populations have been on a slow rise for decades. Bedbug bites are once again becoming a serious nuisance for some people.
Bedbug bites will generally not cause you serious harm, only reddish welts that itch. On rare occasions, blistering or allergic reactions occur. As with any itchy bite, secondary infection is possible if you scratch the location. Probably the most serious symptom you would experience from bedbugs is insomnia, especially once you are aware of their presence!
The symptoms might seem frustrating, but it’s important to remember that bedbugs are not generally recognised as a carrier of any significant disease. While it has been recently found that they can harbour antibiotic-resistant bacteria, this has not been definitely linked to any illness. Regardless, if you have a bedbug infestation you will probably want to have it eradicated quickly.
The hidden truth about bedbugs is that they emit a chemical signature that specially trained dogs can detect. A pest control agency might bring one of these dogs to your home to help confirm the presence of these pests. Once the source is found, the inspector needs to search the area to visually identify the bedbugs.
Once you have confirmed that there is a bedbug infestation, you’ll have a number of ways to eliminate them. Pesticides are not always an option, as some pesticides are harmful if sprayed on clothing, bedsheets, or surfaces that may contact your skin. While it may be necessary to fumigate your home, the hidden truth about bedbugs is that they are sensitive to high temperatures. One effective way to eliminate bedbugs without using pesticides is to heat the room to 57°C (135 °F). This requires special equipment, but is sure to produce results.
The first step towards reducing the spread of bedbugs in our cities is raising awareness about this pest. If we are vigilant and quickly eliminate this pest every time it occurs, we can reverse the spread of bedbugs in our cities.
Croydon pest control can help with any question about pests in your home.Visit our website to find out more and simply give Envirosafe a call to discuss your problems.
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Bedbugs, an Emerging Pest
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