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Bed bug madness
Bed bug madness
So we have heard the stories of many households in America, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of hotels and motels that now have bed bugs but is it really that bad of a problem? Bed bugs have always been a problem in the US but in recent years their population has exploded. Although the precise cause is not known, all the experts that are involved in this phenomenon agree that the resurgence is occurring at an alarming rate. Some of the factors include but are not limited to; outlawed pesticides, greater domestic and international travel, lack of knowledge, and of course (as always) the government not wanting us Americans to know how bad the problem has gotten.
Health agencies around America have been overwhelmed with complaints in recent years and they are just starting to see the depth and severity of this problem. This has led to several educational programs on how to prevent the spread but really has not even scratched the surface of what needs to be done. Although it has not been proven, bed bugs are not thought to spread disease. They do however belong to a category of blood sucking ectoparasites (external parasites) similar to head lice. Just like those head lice, bed bugs feed on the blood of humans.
As I’m sure you realize, bed bugs are responsible for numerous negative effects on mental and physical health and also can cause serious financial consequences. Almost all people have some allergic reaction to bed bug bites that can range from a small bite mark to redness and soreness to in some rare cases anaphylaxis (whole body reaction) which can cause death.
One of the biggest burdens on todays’ society is the economic problems they are responsible for causing. When you add up the lost wages, healthcare costs, lost revenues at hotels and motels it can total huge sums of money.
So what can we do as a society and more importantly what can you do to protect your family and yourself? The first step is to identify that you in fact do have bed bugs. You will not immediately know because when bed bugs bite they inject an anesthetic and anticoagulant that prevents the person from being bit from feeling the bite. Since most people are bitten while they are sleeping, you will not realize what has happened until you see the effects of the bite when you awake. You may experience a mark similar to a flea or mosquito and they can become swollen and red. They could be in a straight line or may appear as random marks. You will also want to be aware of symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, or skin problems that occur due to profuse scratching.
Some of the things you can do to prevent bed bugs may include:
- using monitoring devices
- judicious use of effective chemical pesticides
- applying heat treatment
- removing clutter where bed bugs can hide
- vacuuming
- sealing cracks and crevices to remove hiding places
- using non-chemical pesticides (such as diatomaceous earth) and
- judicious use of effective chemical pesticides
If you do find you have an infestation of bed bugs, the best course of action will be to contact a pest control company that specializes in bed bugs. Be prepared to remove any cloth, cardboard or other porous materials and either throw them away or treat them for a period of time outside of your home. Although there are many claims of over the counter products, I have not yet found one based on my research that really works. Be careful before you spend your hard earned money on a do it yourself product that probably won’t work.
Source: http://survivalcavefood.com/index.php/blog/bedbugmadness/
