Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects that rely mainly on the blood of humans, but also suck blood from other animals (such as birds, bats, and rodents). Bed bugs usually feed at night when people are asleep because the hosts are unaware that they are being bitten.
According to pest control specialists, bed bugs are seemingly more common in single-family homes (91 percent) and apartments/condominiums (89 percent). Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, they can act as carriers of harmful disease-causing organisms.
Bed bug bites can be a sign of infestation, and many people are unaware of the problem until it becomes full-blown. When bitten, people can quickly experience skin reactions. The bites can cause severe itchiness, swelling, or blister-like skin inflammation. In some cases, symptoms appear after two or three days.
Bed bug bites can cause problems, including:
- Secondary Infection – Bed bug bites can be itchy and scratching them can lead to open wounds. If not treated immediately, they can get infected and potentially cause secondary complications such as ecthyma, impetigo, and lymphangitis.
- Insomnia – Sleeping in a bed infested with bed bugs can make you feel anxious, resulting in sleepless and stressful nights.
- Itchy/Painful Blisters – Bed bug bites can result in red, itchy and/or painful blisters. Although the red spots usually subside after a few days, the itchiness can still linger, causing distress.
- Anaphylactic Shock – In rare circumstances, a more severe allergic reaction to bed bug bites could produce anaphylaxis. This can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated. Bedbugs may also trigger asthma attacks and getting too many repeated bites could lead to anemia.
- Chagas Disease – Bed bugs carry as many as 40 pathogens that can potentially cause Chagas disease. The disease is primarily spread by a “kissing bug” (a close cousin of the bed bug — more information on that later). However, a 2015 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study showed that bed bugs infected with Chagas disease parasite can feed off uninfected mice and vice versa.
Other factors that make bed bugs dangerous include:
- A bed bug produces one to five eggs on a daily basis, and more than 500 in a lifetime.
- They can survive for months without food.
- Bed bugs have the ability to endure different temperatures, from nearly freezing to a hundred degrees Fahrenheit.
- They can suck blood for five minutes straight.
- Bed bugs can consume seven times their own weight in blood.
Although bed bugs may be the bane of many city-dwellers, there are other household pests that are more unpleasant to deal with, and pose a greater health concern.
Be aware of these household pests:
- Black Widow Spiders – This distinctive, black, shiny spider is among the most venomous spiders in North America. Their venom is 15 times more potent than that of rattlesnakes. They only bite when disturbed, but in most cases, the bite does not cause any serious health consequences, and rarely result in death. A black widow spider bite may feel like a pinprick, but the victim can gradually experience pain after a few minutes, which spreads quickly to other body parts. The pain usually persists for eight to twelve hours, and other symptoms (e.g. nausea, excessive sweating, muscle pain, severe back and abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and hypertension) can last for several days. Other dangerous spiders found in Canada include the brown recluse, the yellow sac, and the wolf spider.
- Kissing Bug – Its name may sound romantic, but this blood-sucking triatomine bug is a carrier of Chagas disease-a parasitic infection. Chagas disease can potentially lead to chronic heart problems. The kissing bug usually feeds on a host that is asleep. Its saliva has a numbing effect, making the host unaware that the bug is feeding on their blood (usually near the mouth or eyes) for up to 20 to 30 minutes.
Kissing bugs are often found in the following places:
- Under rocks, bricks, and cement blocks
- Inside wood and brush piles
- In and around garden sheds
- In bedrooms, particularly under mattresses
- Inside dog kennels, chicken pens, and other animal living areas
- Woodworms – These wood-boring beetle larvae are a danger to your safety and home. Woodworms attack both hardwood and softwood, compromising the appearance and value of the wood. Heavy infestation can eventually result in weakened structural integrity of the timbers. Unfortunately, it is difficult to detect both larvae and eggs. Sometimes, it takes several years before the signs of infestation become obvious.
Signs of woodworms in your house include:
- Series of pin-sized holes on wood, resembling those in a dartboard
- Presence of fine, powdery dust near the holes
- Crumbling joist and boards
- Adult beetles emerging from holes
- Weak and damaged floorboards
- Bluebottle Flies – Also known as “bottle bees,” these pests usually feed on the flesh of rotten animals, pet feces, and trash. Bluebottle flies are known to carry parasitic worms and spread various diseases such as dysentery, conjunctivitis, tuberculosis, salmonella, and cholera, by laying eggs on food. If ingested, there is the potential risk for myiasis, the infestation of larvae in the body.
- Beetles – Beetles are one of the most common species of insect and can be found in many homes. Once these pests infiltrate your house, they can cause tremendous damage. They gnaw on almost everything, including hardwood, bamboo, woolen clothes, and other fabrics.
- Rats – Rats are common in large urban areas. These rodents are considered to be a danger to not only your home, but health as well. They have powerful teeth that can chew through pretty much everything. By contaminating food and water supplies, rats can spread diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, salmonella, and listeria. Even without consuming contaminated food and drinks, simply inhaling the scent of rat urine and feces can make you sick. Additionally, larger rats are more aggressive and are likely to attack when provoked.
- Cockroaches – Roaches pose serious health risks for people. They are often found in the sewer, but invade your home in search for food and warmth. They leave harmful bacteria, parasites, and pathogens on your countertops and kitchen cupboards. Their decaying bodies and droppings can break down and become airborne particles, causing allergic reactions to people with respiratory problems.
- Fleas – Although fleas are flightless creatures, they are known for their strong, powerful legs that allow them to jump. These tiny bloodsuckers attach themselves to both animals and humans. Their bites can cause allergic skin reactions, which sometimes put people at risk for anaphylaxis. However, accidentally swallowing them can be worse because some fleas are infected with tapeworms. Ingesting a tapeworm-infected flea can cause a far more serious health problem.
Eliminating bed bed and other household pests can be challenging. The best way to protect your home and your family is to hire a pest control specialist. They can provide quick, effective, and long-term pest proofing solutions for any type of pest problem.
For professional pest control in Toronto, call Pro-Pest Corporation at (416) 487-4179. Our company takes the secure approach by offering solutions that are safe around people, pets, and the environment. We specialize in extermination of common pests and removal of wildlife. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control services.
