For years, most people think bed bugs are already a thing of the past. However, there has been a resurgence in bed bugs in Singapore lately, which are primarily attributed to their growing resistance to pesticides. It resulted in bed bugs becoming resilient, widespread, and trouble to get rid of.
It explains why an increasing number of homeowners are turning to pest management services, which are almost always followed by professional mattress cleaning to ensure that their homes and upholstery are completely free of bed bugs.
While bed bugs are far from being a mythical creature, they are often a subject of misconceptions, some of which we will set straight in this article.
Myth: Bed bugs are only found in beds
The common bed bugs, Cimex lectularius, are small blood-sucking insects, so named because they’re often found in and around beds. But, contrary to their name, bed bugs not only thrive in beds as they can also be found on headboards, sofas, travel bags, on our pets and anywhere close to where they feed, in general.
Several reports also claimed the presence of bed bugs in planes, trains, hotels and even in public places including offices, retail stores, and movie theatres. All these explain that there can be bed bugs anywhere and everyone is vulnerable to them.
Myth: Bed bugs come out exclusively at night
It’s true that bed bugs are most active at night, feeding on their hosts while they’re sleeping. But, that doesn’t make them nocturnals that refuse to come out in broad daylight. Bed bugs can sense the heat and carbon dioxide humans give off thus, may feed on blood at any time of the day.
Bed bugs are also capable of adapting to the habits of their hosts. For instance, if you work night shifts and have a bed bug infestation, you remain vulnerable to getting bitten by the insect and shouldn’t be so surprised to wake up with red, itchy bed bug bites.
Myth: Bed bugs carry diseases
Although bed bugs are parasites that may carry bacteria, they’ve never been confirmed to transmit disease. They can, however, cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to their bites, with effects ranging from small bite marks to, in rare cases, anaphylaxis, which is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction.
In terms of overall health, bed bugs are a great nuisance that can cause psychological distress. Bed bug infestation can become too problematic and eventually lead to stress and sleep deprivation. In severe cases, these poor health conditions can cause loss of appetite and poor work performance.
Myth: Getting rid of the mattress is the only way to eliminate bed bugs
Some people suggest throwing out your bedbug-infested mattress is better than treating it with insecticides. But, getting rid of your mattress doesn’t guarantee that there aren’t any other bed bugs lurking in your home. As mentioned, bed bugs can be anywhere from your furniture, cracks and crevices to your clothing.
You can treat bed bug infestation without throwing away your mattress and buying a new one. There are mattress cleaning services in Singapore available to treat your mattress safely and effectively – and the same goes for your clothing, which can be easily laundered to get rid of bed bugs.
Myth: It’s easy to get rid of bed bugs
In contrary to general belief, getting rid of bed bugs is a job that’s best left to the professionals. You can waste money away on commercial insecticides but keep in mind that they may not be as effective as you assume them to.
Calling for professional mattress cleaning services is no doubt the most effective solution as besides chemical, they also employ steam and heat treatments to clean your mattress completely – and it’s something you can’t pull off on your own. In Clean Care, we supplement our chemical treatments with vacuuming, steaming, and laundering your mattress to fully rid your mattress of bed bugs.
Discovering bed bugs in your mattress is stressful and frustrating at the same time. But, identifying the truth from these myths can help you address an infestation with a clear head, which allows you to determine the way to go. Make sure to contact your professional cleaner to help rid of these bed bug issues and save your family from the stress and other health risks they come with.