Bed Bugs Bites-Myths and Truths

Bed bug bites hurt

False. Bed bugs inject an anesthetic in their saliva when feeding on humans.  Almost half of us don’t react to bed bug bites, so we never know we have been bitten!

Bed bug infestations are easy to get rid of on your own

False.  There are a number of factors that make bed bug extermination difficult for the do-it-yourself-er including:  bed bugs abililty to hide, bed bug growing resistance to some come insecticides, and bed bugs ability to go for months without feeding.

Vacuuming doesn’t help with bed bug removal

False.  While vacuuming won’t remove all of the bed bugs in your home, it can be quite helpful.  Thoroughly vacuuming the living and sleeping areas of your home can help remove live bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and bed bug castings or shed skins.

Bed bugs can live up to 5 years

False.  In ideal living conditions, bed bugs can live up to a year.

Bed bugs can be killed with a single treatment by a pest control specialist

False.  Bed bugs can be difficult to completely eradicate with a single treatment.  Effective treatments provided by pest control professionals include liquid insecticides, dust insecticides, heat, or a combination of all.  Follow up treatments may be required depending on the severity of the bed bug infestation.

Placing your mattress outside overnight in freezing weather will kill bed bugs

False.  While extreme cold will kill bed bugs, it is not an immediate solution.  Even in extreme sub zero weather conditions, you may need to leave your mattress outdoors for a week or two.

Staying at luxury 5-star hotels when traveling eliminates the risk of bringing home bed bugs

False.  While sanitation, or lack thereof, is often considered a primary reason for bed bug infestations, this is not true.  You can just as easily bring bed bugs back to your home when staying in a nice hotel vs. a hotel that is not so nice.

You don’t need to be in a hurry to treat bed bug infestations

False.  Bed bugs go from egg to adult in 3 weeks. Each female bed bug is capable of producing one egg each day.  It doesn’t take long for things to go from bad to worse!  Calling a pest professional who specializes in bed bug extermation at the first sign of bed bugs is a must!

If I see bite marks, this means I have bed bugs

False.  Bed bug bites can easily be confused with bites for other pests including spiders, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.  The key to determining whether the bite is a bed bug bite is to search for signs of live bed bugs.

Bed bugs jump from the floor onto your bed

False.  Unlike fleas, bed bugs cannot jump.  This doesn’t mean they can’t get around though.  Bed bugs can travel in walls, behind baseboards, and under carpet as they look for their next human to bite.

Bed bugs are just a problem in urban areas

False.  Bed bugs are a problem worldwide and not just in urban areas.

If I have bed bugs I need to throw out all of my furniture

False.  Most furniture does not need to be discarded and can be effectively treated for bed bugs by a pest professional.  If you decide to throw away any furniture, make sure it is completely wrapped in plastic before moving it out of your home.  This will help prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas of your home.

If bitten by bed bugs, just need to move to another room in the house

False.  Bed bugs are attracted to two things:  warmth and C02.  As you move to other areas of the home, you may cause bed bugs to follow you.  This can make a bed bug infestation go from bad to worse quickly.

Bed bugs only feed on humans

False.  As bed bugs prefer human blood, it’s only reasonable to wonder whether they can also bite your pets. Perhaps unsurprisingly, bed bugs can feed on dogs, cats, rodents and even birds. However, animals aren’t their first choice. Bed bugs prefer human blood, and will only bite pets when they can’t find a human host.

Bed bugs are predictable and easy to find

False.  Some of the more unusual places bed bugs hide include:  Kids’ stuffed animals, on airplanes, in purses, in light bulbs , and on school buses.

Other Bed Bug Myths

Thyme Oil:  False. While bed bugs may not like the smell of Thyme oil, it probably won’t kill them.  This could also cause bed bugs to spread to other areas of your home.

Kerosene:  False.  Placing the bed frame in kerosene may still not prevent bed bugs and you are creating a serious fire hazard.

Petroleum Jelly:  False.  Coating the legs of your bed frame is not effective.  Bed bugs can just as easily drop from the ceiling onto your bed.

Leave the House for a Week or Two:  False.  This will not starve bed bugs.  Bed bugs can go several months without a meal.

Wrap Mattress in Black Plastic and Place Outside:  False.  While sustained heat will kill bed bugs, this will not create the high temperatures you need to be fatal to them.

 Other Essential Oils for Bed Bug Prevention:  False.  Essential oils such as cinnamon, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and tea tree are not effective in bed bug extermination

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