7 common bed bug myths

As the number of bed bug cases continue to rise, you might be seeing more and more information about these pests. It’s important to keep in mind that there are quite a few bed bug myths around. Some of these myths are true, while some may be misconceptions about these pests.

Myth 1: Bed Bugs Spread Disease

This is among the most well-known bed bug myths. These pests aren’t known to spread any diseases among people in the U.S. While you might get itchy bites from them, you’re highly unlikely to get any disease from these pests. Some people who are allergic to bed bug bites have red, itchy bumps on their skin, but not everyone experiences this. 

Myth 2: Bed Bug Problems Only Happen in Dirty Homes

Bed bugs don’t show any preference for cleanliness or messiness when they invade homes, despite bed bug myths. These pests will go anywhere that provides them with steady blood meals. No matter how clean your house is, you can still have a bed bug problem. Keep in mind that these pests can be brought into your home on clothing, luggage, secondhand furniture and other items. 

Myth 3: Bed Bugs Can’t Be Seen

Bed bug myths include misconceptions about the appearance of these pests. While it’s true that bed bugs are tiny, they’re not microscopic. You can see them without a magnifying glass. Look for reddish-brown bugs that are about 1/8 of an inch or smaller. They’ll have a more rounded appearance after feeding and a flatter appearance before feeding. 

Myth 4: Bed Bugs Avoid Light

Keeping the lights on all night won’t stop bed bugs from coming out to feed on you. Although these pests do prefer dark conditions, they’ll still come out in well-lit rooms when it’s time for them to feed. Leaving the lights on at night only means that you’ll get less sleep, so this is one myth to ignore.

Myth 5: Only Pesticides Are Effective at Eliminating Bed Bugs

This is one of the bed bug myths that can lead to multiple infestations. Pesticide products can be used to destroy bed bugs, but they’re not the safest or even the most effective option. In fact, bed bugs are becoming more resistant to certain pesticides. Heat is a more effective and safer way to eliminate these pests from homes, as long as it’s done by the qualified professionals at Budget Brothers Termite & Pest. The use of heat kills these bugs in all stages, lowering the risk of another infestation. Heat also doesn’t have the risks that chemical products have.

Myth 6: Tossing Out Your Bed Is Enough to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

One of the most common bed bug myths is that throwing out an infested mattress and linens might eliminate some of these pests from your home. However, you’re still likely to have many others lurking around. Bed bugs are found in crevices and other hidden places throughout homes, not just in the bedroom. This means you need effective pest control to completely control an infestation. 

Myth 7: Bed Bugs Can Go a Year Without Feeding

While this is one of the true bed bug myths, it only happens under certain conditions. The temperature in your home would have to be very cold for the entire time for bed bugs to stop feeding. Instead, your home is most likely kept at a temperature that bed bugs are active in.

Whether or not you believe any of these bed bug myths, it’s important to get rid of these pests if you have them in your Phoenix home. Contact Budget Brothers Termite & Pest, and our team of professionals will eliminate these pests from your home.