How Dangerous Is It To Have Bed Bugs In My Houston Home?

Even pests that don’t spread diseases or cause structural damage can still be dangerous to your health. Invasive parasites like bed bugs can be even worse for average homeowners than the pests we tend to think of as truly dangerous. That’s why it’s important to know how to properly address an infestation and avoid tracking bed bugs.

Bed Bugs: A Broad Look

The main thing that makes bed bugs such as disgusting health hazards is their eating habits. They are blood-feeding parasites. They feed on people and our pets, which is why bed bugs have targeted their behavior specifically towards infesting human homes and businesses. Bed bugs get their name from the fact that they nest inside of mattresses and other furniture where access to our skin will be a short crawl away. Despite their name, bed bugs can infest all kinds of fabric and upholstery. They will nest inside of furniture, carpeting, even articles of clothing. When they aren’t hunkering down inside of cushioning, bed bugs are hitchhikers. They cling to hair, skin, clothing, or bags while unsuspecting people track them from one place to the next. It’s the behavior that allows bed bugs to infest a large number of properties, even ones that take steps to fortify against invasive pests.

The Dangers Of Bed Bugs

Despite being blood-feeding parasites, bed bugs aren’t known to carry or spread any harmful illnesses. That’s rare, especially when you consider that mosquitoes and ticks, two other common parasites, carry some of the worst diseases around. However, pathogens aren’t the only thing you have to worry about. Bed bugs are health concerns for all of the following reasons:

• Bites: Often, the first and only sign homeowners get that bed bugs are present are the itchy, red marks that come from their feedings. They are often found in lines or clusters.
• Infections: Repeated scratching at the skin near the site of a bed bug bite can increase your risk of infection.
• Insomnia: The discomfort of their bites, and the unnerving thought that parasites are lying in wait for you to shut your eyes, can make anyone lose a night’s sleep.

Impossible Nightmares

Again, bed bugs don’t get inside the same way that other pests do, so the things you can do to prevent other pests won’t work against bed bugs that only feed on blood and shelter in places where the skin is accessible. Rather than doing the work to invade or find ways to get into structures, bed bugs are effortlessly carried inside when you least expect it. Once they find a place to nest, they quickly turn to make more bed bugs. That’s another reason why simple measures don’t work on bed bugs -- it’s their unhatched eggs that determine whether an infestation will stick around. Many people try ineffective solutions that might kill adult bugs but they never look for or eliminate the eggs that might be hidden elsewhere. In a few weeks, the problem comes right back and you’ll have less time and money on your hands to deal with it correctly. That’s why, when it comes to bed bugs, you’re better off pursuing professional avenues than trying to find some cheap solutions online or in the store.

Call The Professionals Right Away

Even clean homes can find themselves with a bed bug infestation. Any normal means of removal will only waste your time and money. For true bed bug control, you should turn directly to pest professionals. At Cantu Pest & Termite, our trained staff can get started right away on an inspection of your home. This thorough look by a trained pair of eyes is the only way you can properly identify a bed bug problem before it grows out of hand. If problems are spotted, you can rest easy knowing that our methods are proven to work and safely eliminate bed bugs. Don’t waste time trying to keep bed bugs out on your own, contact Cantu Pest & Termite today to learn more about our home pest control options in Houston.