Does it seem like every time you turn around, someone is talking about bed bugs? They're on the national news. They're on the local news. They're on social media. And every time someone talks about these bugs, they advise on how to get rid of them. With all of this exposure and all this advice, how is it that bed bugs are still a problem here in the U.S.? We have bad news for you. They're not just a problem; they're a problem that keeps growing.
Why do bed bug infestations keep growing?
- Bed bugs are bed bugs. They've been dwelling with humans since the dawn of time. They're good at it. They're also really good at spreading from one man-made structure to another. These are hitchhiking bugs that hide in, or lay their eggs in, the items we carry around with us.
- The advice we keep getting isn't all that effective. There is a lot of confusion about what it takes to detect and control bed bugs and when bed bugs go undetected and uncontrolled, it allows reservoirs to form. These reservoirs are locations we go to and accidentally pick these hitchhiking bugs up. When we pick bed bugs up and don't realize it, our homes become a reservoir for these blood-eating pests as well.
- Bed bugs keep coming in. Over the last three decades, the world has gotten a lot smaller. As the cost of international air travel has dropped, it has become easier for people to travel to the United States from other countries where pest control is far more lax. This has played a key role in the resurgence of bed bug infestations here.
- Preventing bed bugs requires a commitment. The only way to prevent hitchhiking bugs is to have routine inspections. This costs money. But it is hard to convince someone to shell out their hard-earned money to stop a bed bug infestation if they've never had the nightmare of dealing with one. When home and business owners don't protect themselves with proactive bed bug pest service, not only can they get infested, but they can also be a reservoir for others to pick bed bugs up.
There is no perfect solution for bed bugs. Populations are probably going to continue to rise here in the United States. The best we can do is protect ourselves the best we can. This begins with learning how to identify bed bugs and the signs these pests can leave behind. And, of course, when those bed bugs appear, call an educated and experienced professional to get rid of them.
If you need assistance with bed bug extermination or ongoing bed bug monitoring, and you're in our South Carolina service area, reach out to Aiken Pest Control. We offer real solutions that work to stop bed bugs in their tracks.