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Bed Bug Control in AZ
What To Do If You Find Bed Bugs
Few things are as annoying as that feeling of something crawling across your skin just as you’re about to fall asleep. You know that itching, tickling, hair-raising sensation? You’ll want to believe it was just a gentle breeze caused by the fan, or perhaps it’s a fraying thread from your blankets or clothing.
First, you’ll try to shake off the feeling with a subtle movement. Then, you’ll attempt to swat the sensation away. When that doesn’t work, you’ll uncover the offending area, but you probably won’t see anything out of the ordinary. As you attempt to relax and think about something – anything else, that itchy feeling keeps nagging at you. Finally, you work up the resolve to take a closer look and find tiny, little specks. In exasperation, you throw an accusing look at your partner or the family pet for making such a mess. But the longer you spend looking at them, the more impossible it becomes to deny that they are moving, and you’ve got bed bugs.
Identification
The common pest known as a ‘bed bug‘ typically refers to Cimex lectularius, an inconspicuous, reddish-brown colored insect with two antennae, six legs and a taste for blood. They feed on warm-blooded animals, including pets and birds, but they seem to prefer us, humans. Even when fully grown, these insects are barely ¼ of an inch long. They have a nearly flat, oval-shaped appearance before feeding but may appear red, swollen, and elongated after consuming a blood meal.
If you think bed bugs have moved into your home, you should contact an us as soon as possible. Following the tips above can help, but if you want to get rid of bed bugs for good, call the pros at Desert Castle Pest Control. We can gauge the severity of your infestation and administer the right treatment to meet your unique needs. Call us today for a free estimate on bed bug control services and put the itching to bed.
Little Bug – Big Deal
Despite their small size, bed bugs are a big problem. Because they are so small and adept at hiding in hard-to-reach areas like the seams of mattresses and furniture, bed bugs are extremely difficult to control or eradicate. A strong offense is the best defense, which means continually being on alert for infestation signs. The signs of an infestation to watch for include bloodstains on your bedding, dark spots of excrement and shed skins on mattresses, clothes, and walls; eggshells, and an offensive, musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands.
Although they are generally believed to be more of a nuisance pest than a public health threat, there have been reports of Chagas Disease being transmitted by bed bugs. They also carry a considerable social stigma, with people often thinking that someone with an infestation is a ‘dirty’ person or ‘bad’ housekeeper. Perhaps the most serious side effect of an infestation is lingering psychological effects, though. As described above, that phantom feeling of an itching or tingling sensation is hard to ignore. After enduring an infestation, it can seem impossible to get over the feelings of violation that these insect invaders bring.