Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, their presence may cause a variety of negative physical health, mental health and economic consequences. Reported health effects include anxiety, irritability, insomnia and secondary infections associated with bed bug bites.
Many people have mild to severe allergic reaction to bed bug bites with effects ranging from no reaction to a small bite mark to, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (severe, whole-body reaction). These bites can also lead to secondary infections of the skin such as impetigo and ecthyma. In general, most people who are bitten do not show any signs or symptoms of the bed bug bite, but as exposure to bites increases, the likelihood of showing symptoms also goes up. It may take up to 14 days for a tell-tale rash or other such sign to show up.
PHOTO OF SEVERE BED BUG BITE REACTION
Bed bugs are one of the most challenging, elusive pests to control. That is why Western promises our commitment to continue providing service until there is no more evidence of bed bug activity. Presently, data collected from pest management companies nation-wide indicates that it takes an average of 2.4 visits to control a bed bug problem. The number of visits, of course, is dependent upon the size and distribution of the bed bug population when Western is called for control.
Bed bugs are good hitchhikers and can be moved from one place to another in many different ways. Also, bed bugs will move from one location to another to seek a blood meal, so they may be moving from an original point of infestation to other locations seeking to find a suitable host.
It is important to understand that preparation steps for inspection and treatment are different in each case. Your Western office will provide information regarding what you need to do when preparing for bed bug program services.
Bed bugs can be found in any section of your residence, in rooms as well as in the contents of the rooms. A thorough and complete preparation gives your Western technician the best opportunity to inspect, find and eliminate bed bugs since they can hide in so many different locations.
That question is extremely difficult to answer. We live in a very mobile society and being able to determine where the problem came from normally remains a mystery. Bed bugs are easily transported from one place to another and with their ability to survive for relatively long periods of time, the possibilities are extensive.
Yes. Our service protocol includes treating furniture where we find bed bug evidence, but we never use insecticides to treat the parts of the furniture that our customers will directly contact.
That depends upon the size of the residence or building and the extent of the bed bug population.
The quality, durability and capability to keep bed bugs from escaping the encasement varies a great deal. Western uses mattress and box-spring encasements that are waterproof, breathable, non-allergenic, fire retardant and bed-bug certified
The Western branch providing the bed bug inspection and treatment service will provide this information. You may contact them directly to get the information you need.
A female bed bug will produce from 200-500 bed bugs in her lifetime and can become fertile in as little as 6-8 weeks. Optimal temperatures and humidity conditions favoring bed bug reproduction are similar to those conditions generally found in the home.
Researchers are looking into developing lures, mating disruptors and pheromones (chemical messengers) that will interfere with the bed bug's normal life cycle, habits and ability to survive. Developing effective preventive measures is complex and challenging and at this point such projects are in the basic research stages.
Never bring second-hand furniture into the home, especially mattresses and box springs, without a thorough examination. Be cautious when accepting any used clothing. Learn to recognize the signs that indicate the presence of bed bugs and periodically inspect your residence, concentrating on the bed and areas around the bed. If you need assistance, request an inspection from your pest management company
Western can give you information about a portable heater device called a PackTite that will kill bed bugs that are in these kinds of items.
Yes. Canine bed bug inspection teams are very effective at finding bed bugs. In fact, a well-trained bed bug dog and an experienced dog handler will generally find more than 95% of the bed bug locations in an infested structure. The Western Canine Detection Team trains and re-trains continuously in order to provide the most capable bed bug detection service possible.
