Don’t let them into your home. It is common knowledge that bed bugs only infest places such as hotel rooms and houses, but FYI these tiny creatures are pest with out borders, and you literally find them every where most notably in schools. There resurgence of bed bugs in the US since the 1990s has raised some concerns after it seems they had been eradicated from the country. But experts believe that an increase in the number of persons coming into the country as well as a hike in travels might have led to the rebirth of bedbugs in the US.
Bed bugs are known as serial hitchhikers, and they sneak into your kids’ belongings or your belongings and find their way into your home. Below, are some of the things you should know about bed bugs and essential prevention tips.
Get to know your bedbugs
Bed bugs are tiny insects, with reddish brown color, and an oval shape. In terms of size, they are as small as an apple seed. They are nocturnal creatures that feed at night and rest during the day. They prefer a stationary prey, as it enables them to feed uninterrupted.
When they are not feeding at night, they rest in cracks, crevices, headboards or under mattresses. Typically, bedbugs usually hide in places that they can have quick access to humans.
Bed bugs and schools
The EPA enlists bed bugs as one of the major pest problems in schools. They usually move from place to place via the aid of humans and personal belongings like backpacks, luggage and so on. Their hitchhiking abilities means bed bugs can move from schools to your house without you knowing.
The effect of bed bugs varies from person to person, and sometimes these effects can be mild or severe. Bed bugs bites can lead to loss of sleep, increase in stress levels,allergic reactions, and skin irritation. Mind you; there are some persons that won’t show some persons that won’t show any reaction to bed bug bites. Until recently, it was believed that bed bugs did not transmit disease. A new study from the conducted by Penn Medicine (PM). Researchers discovered that just like triatomines, bed bugs do transmit a parasite responsible for Chagas disease known as Trypanosoma cruzi, this condition is considered to be a deadly disease in the United States.
Dealing with bed bugs
The following prevention tips can help you combat bed bugs;
As a parent, you can limit the spread of bed bugs in your home through the following ways;
- Reduce the number of objects your kids bring home from their schools
- Thoroughly inspect cars/vehicles for bed bugs signs (Note: These signs include, fecal stains, skin sheds, and eggs)
- Inspect your kids’ clothes, backpacks, and other personal belongings when they come home from school, and ensure you keep such items in different areas of the house.
In preventing bed bugs from gaining access into the home,the roles of the parents cannot be downplayed.Pay extra attention and vigilance to your children when they come home from school.
