Bed Bug Myths

We still need to dispel a number of myths surrounding bed bugs. Myths that continue to cost American families hundreds of dollars if they approach a bed bug problem the wrong way.

Myth 1: If your home is clean, you can’t get bed bugs
The biggest bed bug myth in America is that these evil critters only seek out dirty homes. This couldn’t further from the truth. Bed bugs don’t know your income or social status, and are equally likely to exist in clean homes as dirty ones. Whether it’s a homeless shelter or a multi million dollar palatial estate - everyone is at risk. They can be easily transported from outside locations such as the subway, movie theatres or hotels. Check out this first person experience from a bedbugguide.com reader that proves that clean homes are just as vulnerable.

Myth 2: Your family dog or cat is responsible for bringing bed bugs into your home
If you discover bed bugs, it’s a natural inclination to point the finger at Buddy or Oscar the cat. After all, their fur is prime breeding ground for ticks and fleas. However, bed bugs do not live in the skin of dogs or cats. Bed bugs have been known to bite pets, but humans are their primary food source. You are far more likely to transport bed bugs in yourself via your clothing or luggage.

Myth 3: You need to dispose of your furniture, mattress and clothes after a bed bug infestation
With proper treatment, you don’t need to throw out that expensive shirt or $500 memory foam mattress. Once the bugs and their eggs are removed, you can continue to use these as normal. No need to resort to extreme measures like covering your furniture with unsightly plastic wrap either.

Myth 4: You can destroy bed bugs by putting clothing and bedsheets in the freezer or outside overnight
This one can cost you down the line. Bed bugs must be exposed to temperatures of 0F (not 0C) for over 4 days before they will die. Simply leaving your bedsheets outside on a cold winter night will not do the trick. Even a few degrees above 0F will cause bed bugs to enter a state of hibernation which can prolong their life.

The only way to truly eliminate bed bugs is by using a professional exterminator

While a good exterminator is guaranteed to remove your infestation, there is a cheaper solution that is just as effective. There are special spray formulas that you can apply yourself that kill both bugs and their eggs. One proven solution is SayByeBugs, a family-safe, University tested spray that eliminates bugs on contact without staining surfaces.

It’s much cheaper to prevent a bed bug infestation than it is to treat one. With professional exterminators costing upwards of $500 in larger cities, it’s worth taking the time to carry out a few easy preventative measures.

Here’s Six Super Simple Bed Bug Prevention Techniques That You Can Apply Today

• Check any second hand furniture that you may buy for signs of bugs - BEFORE bringing them into your home
• Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly - you should vacuum at least once a week to prevent bugs embedding themselves in your carpet
• Reduce clutter in your home, as bugs love hiding out in dark places. Having toys, old furniture and knick knacks laying around only increases the amount of small, dark crevices which make the perfect bed bug breeding ground. Bed bugs thrive in temperatures of 70-80F, which makes the American household the perfect place for them to exist
• Spray essential oil (6-10 drops diluted in 1/4 cup of water) onto your furniture. Essential oils that repel bugs include cinnamon, lavender, tea tree and thyme so just pick your favorite and give your house a good spraying
• If you are staying in a hotel, inspect your room before sleeping in, or putting any items on the bed. If you want to be extra careful, keep some bug bed spray in your travel bag or suitcase, spray down any bedsheets when you check into your room
• Have a small flashlight ready to inspect your bed if you think bugs may be present

How To Identify Bed Bugs

Identifying bed bugs as soon as possible is incredibly important in stopping the spread of the infestation. Remember, females can lay up to five eggs every single day so any delays will result in the number of bugs multiplying at an alarming rate.

Unfortunately with bed bugs, even if you can’t see the bugs themselves, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. It’s true that the adult sized bugs are visible to the naked eye, but their eggs are near invisible.

If you wake up with bites, but can’t see any evidence of bugs, they’re probably just hiding. In fact it’s rare to see a live bug during the day if you operate on a normal sleep schedule. Most bed bugs are nocturnal and prefer to come out and do their business during the night.

One tell tale sign you have bugs is if you have small brown spots on your bedsheets, this comes from bugs excreting during the night. You may also see red spots which could be from inadvertently crushing bugs during your sleep.

The target areas for bugs tend to be the areas beneath fitted sheets, the lines along the edge of your mattress seam, and the corners of your mattress itself. They can also be present in couches and curtains, depending on the layout of your room. Keep an eye out for pale yellow shells as these are evidence of bed bug nymphs (the same way as snakes shed their skin as they grow). Bed bugs also have a musty odor to them that can smell almost sweet to some people. Disturbing them forces the bugs to excrete this odor, known as an alarm pheromone.

Why You SHOULDN’T Use Regular Store Bought Pesticides to Treat a Bed Bug Infestation

Even if a pesticide is EPA registered, that doesn’t mean it’s necessary designed for, or safe to use, for a bed bug problem. You see, the majority of store bought pesticides are not formulated for use in enclosed areas where people sleep.

Many of these pesticides are general insecticides, meaning they are not specifically for bed bugs, and as such can be harmful to non-target species including household pets. Many of these pesticides contain Pyrethroids and Pyrethins. Not only are certain species of bed bug immune to these chemicals, they’re also potentially dangerous to both humans and domestic pets.

Spotting The Difference Between a Bed Bug Bite and a Mosquito Bite

Bed bug bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites. During the first few days of an infestation it’s important to know if your bites are bed bug bites, or bites from mosquitos or other insects. After all, you don’t want bed bugs to spread without you knowing. The number one tell tale sign is the quantity of them. Bed bug bites look like mosquito bites, but usually come in clusters of at least three. They tend to affect exposed areas while you sleep, like arms, neck, face, and shoulders, and they tend to come in rows along the line of the comforter or sheet.

If you see a line of bites down your arm or leg, it’s likely to be a bed bug problem. The size of the bites themselves depends on your reaction to them, only around half the population suffer from large welts after bites. Others will only experience smaller red bumps. In fact, one in three people have no reaction to beg bug bites at all.

Once you are certain you have bed bugs, it’s important to act quickly. Knowing what to do in an infection scenario is vital if you want to get the problem under control.

How to Kill Bed Bugs - Once and For All

1. Do not move your furniture. You may be tempted to move couches, tables and beds around in a frantic search for bugs, but doing this is counterproductive and will spread the infection instead.
2. Wash all your bedsheets and potential infected clothing at a minimum of 118F for 90 minutes (caution: this may damage certain materials). If possible use a special bed bug detergent.
3. Spray all infected areas with a family safe, bed bug spray and any areas in a 5 foot radius of them - including bedsheets, bed frames, sofas, curtains and upholstery. Be thorough and remember to target any cracks and crevices around the infected area such as wall outlets or under your bed
4. Vacuum your carpet and rugs daily for the next 7 days - throw out any vacuum bags immediately after use, bed bugs may crawl out if you don’t
5. Spray again 48 hours later to ensure that any hiding bugs have been eliminated as well

Remember to check your home periodically afterwards, bed bugs are transients and anyone can unwittingly bring them into your home. Once you are equipped to spot and destroy bed bugs, it’s much easier to deal with the problem. With bed bugs - you can never be underprepared.