The National Pest Management Association released their 2018 Bugs Without Borders survey earlier this year and had some interesting facts about bed bugs:
Bed bugs or fleas? Bed bugs may be easily confused with other pests, 84% of pest control professionals were initially contacted about a different type of pest before identifying them as bed bugs. Out of initial calls, 71% of customers thought they were fleas and 28% thought it was cockroaches.
Travel = More Bugs. More than half of pest control professionals said they receive the most bed bug complaints during the summer, as increased travel during this time of the year may help spread bed bugs from vacation destinations to homes or even college dorms to homes as students go on summer break.
What are these little red bites? Bites are the most commonly reported sign of an infestation (92 percent) and more than half of people reach out for treatment after discovering bites and welts on their bodies. Although some people immediately develop a skin reaction to bites, others may take two to three days before showing obvious symptoms or any symptoms at all, meaning that people could be unaware of a bed bug problem until a full-blown infestation has taken root.
Bed bugs in unexpected places: Usually bed bugs are found in couches and bed frames, but they can also be found in some of the most unexpected places, including stuffed animals, wheelchairs, airplanes, school buses, purses and even inside bedside lamps.
Don’t DIY. The majority of pest professionals agree that this bloodsucking pest is the number one most difficult pest to control. If an infestation is suspected, contact us immediately, as bed bugs cannot be effectively treated with do-it-yourself measures.
