Bed bugs are a menace that can ravage your home or place of business and make your day-to-day life uncomfortable. Bed bugs like to make their homes in mattresses, clothing, carpeting, pillows, chairs, electrical outlets, and behind picture frames. The good news is you can get rid of bed bugs and keep them away by taking a few simple steps. The key is to be proactive and not wait for the problem to get out of hand before acting and seeking the help and recommendations of pest control experts. To protect your home or business from bed bugs, you need to learn about the behavior of this pest, take steps for prevention, and find a professional bed bug control expert should an infestation occur. 

What Are Bed Bugs? 

Bed bugs are small insects, about 1/4 inches in diameter with brown bodies and darker heads. These pests feed on the blood of humans and animals. Often, people have bed bugs and don’t even know it. Since these insects are so small, it’s common for people to blame the itching, allergies, sleeping problems, and other effects on something else. However, if you know how to identify and prevent them, you can reduce the chance of bed bugs entering your home. 

How Did I Get Bed Bugs? 

Chances are, you got bed bugs from somewhere or someone else. You can also get them from a furry pet that has been exposed. Bed bugs are common in hotel rooms, movie theaters, airports, or anywhere else hundreds of people pass through. You have a higher risk in these areas because each room creates an opportunity for exposure to a series of guests that come from a variety of homes. Every home or business in South Africa is a potential environment for these little critters. 

What Are the Effects of Bed Bugs in and Around My Home or Business? 

Bed bugs are not known to carry disease, so you don’t have to worry about catching a virus or another health problem from someone else who has been bitten by a bed bug. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t have a significant effect on your home, business, or well-being. 

Bed Bugs Affect Your Physical Health 

Some people are allergic to bed bug bites. If this is the case, you may experience hives. These are red bumps that form on your skin when histamines are released in the body. They’re usually itchy and can spread to other parts of your body. Regardless of whether or not you’re allergic to bed bugs, you’ll likely have a reaction if they bite you. Bed bug control experts explain some ways the bites can affect your skin: 

• Small, raised bumps that are clear in the middle 

• Bumps can also be itchy and have darker centers surrounded by lighter swollen areas 

• Small, red welts or bumps in a zigzag pattern or a relatively straight line 

• Papular eruptions on the skin that are either painful or inflamed 

Also, scratching bites can result in skin problems, including, red skin, scarring, and infection. Often, you can differentiate mosquito bites from those of bed bug bites by examining the bumps and marks left behind. Pest control experts explain if they appear in clusters or in a line, they are most likely bed bug bites. Mosquitos tend to bite once and then fly off. Although bed bugs can also bite just once, they often have to dislodge and crawl to another spot in order to get their fill. This results in groups of bumps or marks. 

Protecting Your Home or Business From Bed Bugs With SP Pest Control 

SP Pest Control offers expert treatment designed to effectively and efficiently control and prevent pests from invading your home or business. 

Call SP Pest Control today for your FREE and NO OBLIGATION estimate at 011 394 1191!