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Don't Delay, Find Out If You Have Bed Bugs Today!
WHAT IS A BED BUG?
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Bed bugs, known scientifically as "Cimex Lectularius" are very small, parasitic insects that feed primarily on human blood. Bed Bugs are light brown to a reddish-brown color depending on how recently they've fed. They can grow to approximately 4-5 mm (.16- 0.2") and the first level in stars are the visible yet very hard to see and nearly transparent, until they feed. Bed Bugs are flat, oval-shaped, and wingless. When they feed they "balloon" out in length and width. They are reddish-brown in color and may be mistaken for ticks or small cockroaches to the untrained eye. They have no natural means of defense other than their speed and ability to hide. On average, bed bugs will bite and feed on the human host up to 5 times in one night before going back to the nest, where they can remain dormant between feedings for over a year. Bed Bugs have five immature "nymph" or "instar" stages and a mature adult stage. You do NOT want them living in your home!
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A pregnant female bed bug will remain pregnant for life. She can lay 1 to 12 eggs per day and it is estimated that more typically lays 5-7 per week. In her lifetime, she can lay several hundred eggs. One pregnant female can single-handedly be the root cause of 5,000 bed bugs within just six months' time. The eggs typically hatch within a week or two and can immediately begin to feed. Their environment plays an integral part on how quickly they develop.​
DO I HAVE BED BUGS?
Skin bites, marks or other reoccurring rashes are usually the first clue people notice when considering if they have bed bugs. Please be aware that everyone reacts differently to being bitten. The few things that typically remain the constant are the location of the bites and frequency in which bed bugs feed. If they are in your bed, you will be bitten on a very frequent basis. They do not rip, burrow or tear through clothing and as such usually feed on the closest exposed part of the body to their hiding place. Please be aware that some people's skin does not react at all to being bitten. They are being fed upon and bitten, their skin is just not producing bite marks in the typical sense.
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In addition to bites many people will notice bed bug fecal spots. People will see them on their pillow cases, sheets, Mattresses, headboards, bed skirts or other places. These marks are usually heavy within the harborage, nesting site and trail all the way to wherever the bed bugs travel to feed. Fecal spots look very similar to a small black dot that would be made by the tip of a black magic marker. It appears differently in shape and size depending on the material in which it is deposited.
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Blood spots are another common sign of bed bugs. Blood spots appear from you having crushed them. In some instances, people will roll over in their sleep and crush them, leaving a blood spot.
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Cast "skins" which are the shed exoskeletons of bed bugs are another sign that bed bugs are close by. As bed bugs feed, molt and grow they shed their exoskeletons.
WHAT IS YOUR TOLERANCE?
Every person has their own standard of living. What they do and do not tolerate in their homes and daily lives. To some a mouse is acceptable and to others bed bugs are just as acceptable. Due to different standards of living here in the United States and even more so worldwide many people are living and tolerating bed bugs in their homes, offices and factories.
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Getting bed bugs from someone or something is as simple as a home visit, going to the movies, utilizing a dressing room or even receiving a package in the mail. Without even realizing it we interact with people and products from all around the world. The only way to find a single bug, egg, or any sign that can lead to infestation is by proactively searching.
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MYTH VS. FACT
Many people thought that bed bugs were fictitious characters used in old wives' tales, but they are very real and no laughing matter. Some people mistake bed bugs for something else or think they will just go away by themselves. This is a perfect recipe for disaster and a huge infestation.
IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
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Bed Bugs can infest any home, office, practically any location dirty, cluttered or clean. Bed Bugs primary concern is their safety and close proximity to a food source, you!
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Despite being called Bed Bugs, infestation locations are not limited to beds. They want to be close to their host and will live in all kinds of furniture, baseboards, curtains, window sills, the walls and anywhere else close to their food source
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At the moment, they have not been linked to the transmission of any diseases
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They may be small but they multiply extremely quickly
FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND
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Symptoms – Bed bugs affect people in many different ways. Living with bed bugs can cause:
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Anxiety
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Insomnia
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Physical and Emotional Trauma
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Large Bites or Blister Type Skin Reactions
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Scarring
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Skin Irritations
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Increased Blood Pressure Due to Anxiety
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Hypertension from Stress Due to a Lack of Sleep
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