I know I shouldn’t let them bite, but they are!
Bed bugs are parasitic insects of the cimicid family that feed exclusively on blood. Bed bugs have been known as human parasites for thousands of years. At a point in the early 1940s, they were mostly eradicated, but have increased in prevalence since 1995.Because infestation of human habitats has been on the increase, bed bug bites and related conditions have been on the rise as well. A bed bug pierces the skin of its host with what is called a stylet fascicle, or “beak”. They obtain all the additional moisture they need from water vapor in the surrounding air. Bed bugs are attracted to their hosts primarily by carbon dioxide.
Bed bugs can cause a number of health effects, including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. Bed bug bites or cimicosis may lead to a range of skin manifestations from no visible effects to prominent blisters. Their bites are not usually noticed at the time. They develop slowly to low itchy welts that may take weeks to go away. They prefer exposed skin, preferably the face, neck and arms of a sleeping individual. The neck and jaw line are particularly favored places to feed. Diagnosis involves both finding bed bugs and the occurrence of compatible symptoms. Treatment involves the elimination of the insect.
Bed bugs are hitchhikers. This means that someone brought them back to your house from an outside source. This can be a visitor or a family member, or even one of your pets back from a visit to the vet. Bed bugs may sound funny when mentioned in the popular bed time parting ritual, but in reality, they are a very real and threatening nuisance to you and your family. If you suspect you have bed bugs (as can be evidenced by tiny, red bites on your body), do not delay and call Swatter Pest Solutions today. This is not only for your own safety and health, but that of any friend or family member you might visit in the future.