Many people ask questions about those annoying indoor pests that disturb our peaceful night’s sleep. They disrupt our sleep cycles and, depending on our skin’s sensitivity, can cause itching or skin rashes. Like other problems, we need to know the cause of bed bugs before we can adequately prevent them. Therefore, in this article, we will provide useful tips for preventing bedbugs and also answer the question “what is the main cause of bed bugs?
Bed Bug Misconceptions
As expected, several misconceptions surround the cause of bedbugs. One of the known misconceptions includes they only come around areas that are dirty: Myth buster! What you heard about dirt being a primary cause of bedbug is totally wrong. Bedbugs can’t distinguish between the poor and the rich homes or a clean or dirty environment. As long as there is a constant source of blood in that environment, bed bugs will gladly turn it into their home. Now, let’s answer the question “what is the main cause of bed bugs”.
The primary cause of a bed bug infestation is their inadvertent transportation from one infested area to another. They’re skilled hitchhikers, often traveling on luggage, furniture, bedding, or clothing.
With the rise in global travel and the increase in the second-hand furniture market, the spread of bed bugs has become more rampant. They can be found in high-end hotels just as easily as budget accommodations.
Moreover, these insects can survive for months without feeding, making them particularly resilient. Preventing an infestation begins with being vigilant during travels, inspecting used furniture before bringing it home, and adopting regular cleaning habits.
Remember, bed bugs aren’t drawn to dirt; they’re drawn to blood, making anyone susceptible to an infestation regardless of their living conditions.
Food Sources
Humans are the primary source of food for bed bugs, and these pests would do anything to live where humans frequent. Subsequently, places like hotels where people visit often are associated with high infestation of bed bugs. Because they are tremendous hitchhikers, therefore, they will cling onto your clothes or your belongings if you encounter them in public places.
Preventing Bed Bugs
One of the ways to prevent this creature from turning your home into their permanent abode is to stop people from coming into your home, which is not practical. Bed bugs have a strong grip and would latch on to belongings of unsuspecting people till they locate cozy and warm bed, furniture or clothes to live on. They then find their food source and multiply. So where are the common places you can get bed bugs? They include:
- Hotels
- Offices
- Nursing homes
- A friend’s house
- Libraries
- City Halls.
- Schools
- Hostels
Unlike popular belief, filthiness has nothing to do with a bedbug infestation. If you have any item that can serve as a hideout for bedbugs in your house, you are at risk of having a bed bug infestation problem.
Prevent Infestation
Now that you know the causes us bedbug, we will take a look at how you can prevent them. Because of their high reproductive capability, one female bedbug is enough to start an infestation in your house. So, you should do everything possible to prevent bed bug infestation or identify the presence of bedbug at an early stage.
- Cover every possible hideout: Mattresses are some of the commonest hiding places for bedbug. You can prevent them from hiding in your mattress by using a protective cover that would leave no opening for them to hide.
- Vacuum as often as you can to remove the pest.
- Check for possible signs of bedbug in secondhand furniture before buying them.
- Contact professional exterminator
- Check for signs of bedbugs in popular places
Bed bug infestation is the last thing you want to deal with in your home. The knowledge you just gained regarding the causes of bedbugs will help you in preventing it. You should watch out for bedbugs when you visit popular places, so you don’t bring them into your homes.
