Bed bugs have become an epidemic of late, which is leaving many people wondering, “How do you get bed bugs?” and if you get them, “How do you get rid of bed bugs?” Let’s start with the basics:
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of humans while they are asleep. Bed bugs are generally reddish-brown, oval in shape, wingless and flattened, and tend to burrow within mattresses, curtains, sofas and other cloth items within the home. These parasites leave red marks on their victims at the site where the blood was drawn. This may develop into a rash or sore as time goes on.
If you have any signs of bed bug bites on your body (the ankles are a common place for bed bugs to bite), you may want to check your mattress for these tiny parasites. Dried blood is a telltale sign, as are molts of these bugs. However, these bugs can be quite elusive and they may be difficult for the untrained eye to detect.
So how do you get bed bugs? Bed bugs can come into a home in a variety of different ways:
- Bed bugs and their eggs can “hitchhike” into your home on luggage, pets and even clothing that has come In contact with these parasites
- Bed bugs may live in areas near your home and could migrate their to find a blood meal
- Wild animals may drop the bed bugs or their eggs onto your home or in your yard. The bed bugs can then be picked up by a shoe or a pet and brought into the home.
Protect your home from bed bugs that will find their way into your carpet, sheets and laundry. It is imperative that you check your home regularly for bed bugs, as to avoid bed bug bites and the complications that may arise from them.