Bed bugs are a global problem that can affect virtually any country. It may seem like this is just a problem here in Guelph due to the onslaught of outbreaks, but the problem exists anywhere humans congregate. Bed bugs subsist on human blood and extract our blood when we are sleeping to avoid being detected. Apart from the intense psychological trauma that these tiny parasites cause, the bite marks they leave behind are also problematic due to overwhelming itchiness and slight pain from the bites. You can rest assured that bed bugs are indeed frightening due to the incredibly difficult elimination process that comes with an infestation; however, they spread no diseases to human beings.
Bed bug bites are usually small in diameter, appear bright red, and are almost always itchy. These insects typically bite in a pattern, which may appear as three to five circular, red bites in a row on virtually any area of exposed skin. Of course, your first action should be to immediately call a pest control professional if you notice bites in this pattern or see bed bugs. Bed bugs hide with skilled proficiency, so a professional is necessary to use their tools to confirm any activity in your home. The bites themselves are more annoying then they are dangerous. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to ease the itchiness and blotchiness of the bites.
The most bothersome aspect of a bed bug bite is no doubt the itchiness. The itching comes from the bed bug saliva and the irritation caused by the bug’s beak that it uses to pierce the skin and extract blood. This is a similar process that mosquitoes use as well. Additionally, the numbing chemicals that bed bugs inject, which keeps a sleeping person from feeling the bite, can also cause skin irritation. Calamine lotion and any over-the-counter anti-itch remedies can be applied to the bites to help ease the itchiness. Bed bug bites can also cause minor swelling and minimal pain; any over-the-counter pain reliever can help to ease this, but ibuprofen may be the best to choose to address the swelling.
Bed bugs are one of the most feared pests, but there is some security in the fact that they cannot pass diseases to humans. It is a nightmare scenario to discover that you have an infestation, yet the bugs themselves cannot really harm you and the bites are no worse than a common mosquito bite, minus the spread of disease. Bed bugs spread their fear in much more psychologically damaging ways since it is incredibly difficult to get rid of them and they hide in the most inaccessible spaces to avoid that very threat. Anti-itch creams and mild pain relievers are all you need to treat bed bug bites. The most important thing is to immediately seek the assistance of a pest control Guelph professional to begin the process of clearing your home of these incredibly bothersome parasites.
