Bed Bugs and Pets

Bed bugs have made a comeback after many years of being in decline. As international travel has increased, so have the number of bed bugs in America. If you have the misfortune of bringing home a bed bug infestation after traveling, then not only is your family are at risk of being bitten but so are your pets.

What are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are reddish brown and are no bigger than an apple seed. Immature ones can be much smaller and more translucent. If they have just fed, bed bugs will be more reddish in color. The main sign of bed bug presence is an itchy bite on your skin. It might be mistaken for a mosquito or flea bite. Other signs are bed bug feces (small, round and black), molted skins, or the bugs themselves. 

Bed bugs are excellent at hiding, and finding them can be a little hard. They hide at the junction of ceilings and walls, behind bed frames and baseboards, behind pictures, around electrical outlets, in clothing, curtain and mattress seams and behind chipped paint or loose wallpaper. As you search for them, also check your pet’s bedding and stuffed toys.

Can Pets be Harmed?

Bed bugs prefer humans but will bite any warm-blooded animal, including cats, dogs, birds, and rodents. While bed bugs are not known to carry diseases the way mosquitoes do, their bites itch, and your pet could become allergic to them.

Signs your pet is having an allergic reaction to a bite:

• little bumps on their skin
• gnawing at a specific spot

If your pet is having an allergic reaction to a bed bug bite, then take them to the veterinarian for treatment. 

If the bed bug infestation is not addressed immediately, you or your pet might also be the vector for carrying them elsewhere. You don’t want an infestation in your car; nor do you want to carry them to the places your dog might go, such as a kennel or veterinarian’s office. It’s best to contain a bed bugs and pets problem swiftly.

Tips for dealing with bed bugs and pets issues:

• Transport infested bedding for pets to the washer in a plastic bag.
• Wash pets’ bedding at 120 degrees F, and dry at medium to high settings. If you can’t wash the bedding, dry it on medium to high heat at least 20 minutes. If the bedding is old, throw it away in a sealed bag. 

Cleaning your pet’s are is just one part of dealing with bed bug infestation, but it’s one you should address as soon as you realize there’s a problem. 

The Solution 

Dealing with bed bugs and pets is a challenge. Do not take the chance of using a DIY method. Your best bet is to hire a Budget Brothers to inspect your home. We know what to look for and where to look, and are less likely to overlook bed bug hiding places.

We also have the equipment and right treatments to deal with a bed bugs and pets, assuring the safety of your family and your four-legged friends. Inform Budget Brothers about your bed bugs and pets dilemma today!