The Dangers Of Bed Bugs In Your Western Massachusetts Home

Bed bugs are disturbing pests. When they get into Western Massachusetts homes, they come out at night to feed and, subsequently, slowly grow their population larger and larger. In a short amount of time, they can be frustrating and tormenting pests to share your home with. But how dangerous are they? Well—we have some good news and some bad news. Here's what you need to know about bed bugs in Western Massachusetts.

Bed Bug Species

First, we should point out that the bed bug species we deal with in Western Massachusetts is Cimex lectularius. Of the 90 species of bed bugs in the world, there are only three that feed on humans. Of the three that feed on humans, Cimex lectularius is the cause of nearly all the infestation in the United States. So, there really is no difference between Western Massachusetts bed bugs and bed bugs found in the other 49 states.

The Good News

• There are currently no reported cases of disease transmission between humans and Cimex lectularius in the United States.
• Bites caused by Cimex lectularius can be mild. At the beginning of an infestation, you may not even realize you are being bitten.
• Some people have a high tolerance to bed bugs and never develop wounds that are uncomfortable.

The Bad News

• Recent scientific data shows that bed bugs have the ability to spread diseases—one of concern being Chagas disease.
• If someone in your home has a disease that can be spread by bed bugs, this increases the danger of a bed bug infestation.
• While bed bug bites can be minor at first, they usually grow worse over time with subsequent bite events.

How Bed Bug Bites Can Impact Your Life

When a bed bug bites, it bites more than once. Typically, you can expect each individual bug to bite three times during each feeding session. If four bed bugs bite you, you're likely to have twelve bites on your skin. It doesn't take many bugs to cause numerous bites. This is an important factor to consider as the issues related to these bites can grow exponentially.

• Bed bug bites can itch.
• Bed bug bites can become swollen and achy.
• If you scratch bed bugs bites and create open wounds, they can become infected.
• Bed bugs tend to bite toward the head because they're attracted to carbon dioxide. This can lead to numerous, unsightly bites on your neck, face, or arms.
• Repeated exposure to bed bug bites can lead to anemia. This is a reduction in red blood cells which carry oxygen to body tissue.

Incidental Dangers Of Bed Bugs

While the bite wounds caused by bed bugs are the primary concern with these insects, they are not the only things that can impact your life. Here are a few more to consider.

• A bed bug infestation can lead to a loss of sleep. At first, this isn't a problem, but over time, it can have consequences. Sleep deprivation can cause anxiety, depression, and a reduction in motor and cognitive skills.
• If someone notices bed bug bites on your skin, it can lead to the uncomfortable conversation that you have a bed bug infestation. This can cause friends and family to avoid coming over. It is hard to plan important activities, such as birthdays, graduation parties, or game night, when you have a bed bug problem.
• Bed bugs can be extraordinarily difficult to exterminate. If you attempt to go after these bugs and remove them from your home, it can lead to hardship. Some people throw their beds out, only to keep having bed bug problems. Some people buy treatment products, put in the hard work of deploying or applying them, and continue to have trouble with bed bugs.

How To Prevent Bed Bug Dangers

At the first sign of bed bugs in your Western Massachusetts home, contact American Pest Solutions. 

• Our licensed pest professionals use field-tested methods to locate bed bugs before treatments are done—and to make sure no bed bugs remain after treatment. One tool that has proven to be extremely effective is the use of trained dogs. Our K-9 Inspectors can move quickly through rooms (much faster than human inspectors) and locate bed bugs hidden from view. There is no better way to find bed bugs before and after treatments.
• We use a multi-pronged approach that includes non-chemical control. The combination of treatment protocols selected by your technician and applied over the course of a few visits will provide the control needed to arrest your bed bug infestation.

If you have questions, or you'd like immediate assistance, drop us a line. We look forward to helping you find the solution for your bed bug problem. While bed bugs aren't very dangerous, they can be a nightmare to deal with. Get relief today. We can help!