Years ago, we used to say this funny little nursery rhyme before heading to bed. Now, however it’s no laughing matter as the issue of bed bugs has once again become an international plague. Bed bugs are something to be concerned about since they can cause irritating bites and secondary skin infections in humans. Anyone can become exposed to bed bugs, as they are commonly found in furniture in hotel rooms, aboard cruise ships, in apartment buildings and even furniture stores selling used items.

WARNING!  DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO JUST BEFORE GOING TO BED - I did and regretted it – didn’t sleep much.

The trouble is, you may not know you have picked up bed bugs until several days or even weeks after you get home. These creatures are so tiny, it’s tough to spot them at first. You may start waking up with itchy bites and think that a mosquito has gotten you in the middle of the night. You may not even have the bed bugs in your bed at all, but rather in a chair, sofa or futon that you bought at a second hand store.

Bed bugs do not discriminate and they will breed under cushions or bedding as long as there is a human source to feed from. They are most active at night, when human hosts are likely to be asleep and don’t feel their presence. However, in the morning victims may notice little black “dots” moving on the sheets and possible blood spots on the bed, much like a flea infestation. Victims of bed bug infestations will also notice very irritated skin and raised welts that itch for days on end.

Many times, bed bugs are unwittingly brought home after a brief vacation or a visit to a friend or family members’ home. You can sleep in a motel bed for one night and drag the little critters home in your suitcase or clothing without even knowing it. Oftentimes, people will get bites from bed bugs and realize that they’ve been exposed days later, but by then it’s too late.

It’s important to note that it’s not a good idea to try to treat for bed bugs yourself.

• First of all, the chemicals sold over counters are not effective in killing bed bugs or their eggs.
• Secondly, stronger bed bug approved chemicals must be applied in a special way due to the nature of the chemicals, which can be harmful to pets and humans if used in the wrong amounts.
• Third, it takes a trained professional pest control expert eye’s to spot and destroy bed bug colonies, which develop over time and can infest furniture, walls, floors and ceilings.

If you think you may have bed bugs in your home or business, the best thing to do is call up a pest management company like Biotech Pest Management to have an expert pest control specialist take a look first. Don’t put yourself or your family into harm’s way by trying to treat bed bugs on your own. Bed bugs can be difficult to eliminate and may take several treatments to remove them completely from your home or business. It’s also a good idea to have a pest control company inspect and treat any suspected furniture items so you can protect your property and any potential guests.