With winter, most pest insects have their population fall into a decline. And even though this year has been unseasonably warm for the sunshine state, there are at least fewer pests. But that doesn’t go for every single bug. No sir, some pests thrive year-round. And the reason is simple: they live inside! The pest I’m talking about today is, of course, the bed bug. And to help you get through this holiday season, we’ll talk about some common bedbug infestation sites.
Are you waking up with red welts on your skin? Has your research into those welts led you to believe that you might have a bed bug infestation, but you can’t seem to find any bugs? Bed bugs, known scientifically as Cimex lectularius, have been living with humans for centuries and have learned how to hide from detection. If they did not possess this ability, we would have driven them to extinction by now. When searching for bed bugs it is important to know what to look for and where to look.
What are common bedbug infestation sites?
When you travel, there’s a risk of being exposed to bedbugs. That just the long and short of it really. There’s no accounting for the hygiene, habits, or awareness of others. One wrong visit to one infested location and you can be bringing home some horrible hangers-on. So let’s go over some common places to pick up these blood-sucking hitchhikers.
Hotels, motels, and Holiday inns.
This one is honestly the biggest no-brainer on the list, and it makes the most sense. Close your eyes and think of common bedbug infestation sites. Number one is always going to be hotels. People from all over travel. And when they do, they bring half of their belongings with them in suitcases. And it just takes one person with a few pairs of mating bedbugs to go to a hotel for all hell to break loose. Also, since it’s an enclosed space with many, many beds and many, many people- the infestation gets out of hand very quickly. That’s why it’s important to do the rounds and make sure you have a clean, reputable place to stay that would tackle an infestation like that the second it cropped up.
Public Transportation
This is probably not much of a thinker either, honestly. If a lot of people travel, even more, use public forms of transportation. And homeless populations, and people with less access to easy healthcare and the like, are unfortunately more likely to bring an infestation on a bus with them. Bedbugs are small and hard to detect, so it’s unlikely you’ll see the pests getting cozy in your seat. However, you can take precautions when you return home — don’t place your bags on your bed, and closely inspect your belongings when you unpack.
Movie theaters
With their constant round the clock maintenance, you’d think this one would be safe from the grubby hands of the blood-sucking biters. But, you may catch more than a movie at your local theater. With cushy, upholstered seats and plenty of human hosts, the movie theater is prime real estate for bedbugs looking for a meal. Limit the personal belongings you bring with you to avoid bringing home your own critter horror show.
Hospitals And Nursing Homes
This one falls under many of the same reasons a hotel is a breeding ground for the bedbugs. And sadly, for this one of the common bedbug infestation sites, the parasite doesn’t give a break to the sick or the old. In fact, hospitals around the country have had many incidents where complete quarantine has been in order to destroy infestations of bedbugs.
Yard Sales
Ever pick up a mattress at a yard sale? Probably not, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be such a large piece of furniture for you to bring home someone else’s bedbugs. But if you can’t keep yourself away from these yard sales, at least try to stay away from used mattresses, bed frames, and headboards. You may save money, but professional treatment for a bedbug infestation can set you back thousands of dollars.
Common Bedbug Infestation Sites: Overview
But like with any pest, once it’s in your home your best avenue is to be informed. So we’ll go over some basic bedbug information to help you.
Since bed bugs have the word bed in their name, there is a good chance you’ve already searched this common bed bug spot, but a bed bug infestation isn’t always noticeable. And, if you didn’t do a detailed inspection, you may have missed something. Search every inch of the top and bottom of your mattress and box spring, and give special attention to creases and crevices.
It is a common misconception that bed bugs only feed on sleeping people when the fact is they are quite capable of feeding on us when we’re fully awake. For this reason, they are able to establish themselves in couches, chairs, and other upholstered furniture. Check these for the signs listed above. Look closely in any cavities. Do a detailed inspection of all stitching and seams. And be sure to look at the underside of your furniture. These bugs don’t like to be found.
And then you have electrical outlets. These are tiny bugs that are more than capable of going in and out of the holes of your outlets. This makes outlets a great place to establish themselves. Check all of the outlets in your bedroom and living room, and pay close attention to outlets that are near any beds or upholstered furniture. The most common sign of an outlet infestation is black streaks left on the front panel, left by bugs as they have gone out and come back in.
What do BEG BUGS look like?
Bed bugs have a variety of appearances. When they first hatch they are only about 1.5 mm, mostly transparent, and white. As they grow, they become less transparent and more tan in color. A full adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed, rust-colored, and has horizontal ridges on its abdomen. If a bed bug has had a blood meal you will be able to see the blood inside the insect. A fed bed bug will also be pill-shaped instead of its normal flat and oval shape.