These blood-loving parasites not only love you and your bed, but your office too! Bed bugs are making an unwelcome comeback in the US due to their resistance to certain pesticides and frequent global travel.
Bed bugs are not dangerous but can cause skin rashes that can lead to infection or allergic reactions. Knowing how to identify bed bugs is important in taking charge of the situation before an infestation occurs. Adult bed bugs are red, flat and oval-shaped, not microscopic – they can be seen with the naked eye. They may leave blood spots or rust-colored marks on your bedding. A series of raised and itchy welts on skin (without a red centre) is also a sign that there may be bed bugs present.
Because they are elusive during the day; hiding in crevices of wood, paper, fabric and even plastic, bed bugs can be picked up easily, from public transportation, staying in hotels and motels to secondhand furniture and clothing. Where a human goes, a bed bug goes too. Unfortunately, this also means that these bugs can be transferred during a local household move to a long distance commercial move. Once you have identified a single bed bug, take the necessary action before a move to prevent taking them with you. You want your office furniture and computers to be bug-free when they are placed into storage. Being observant is key to dealing with bed bugs. As soon as you are sure they are present, call a specialist pest control service. Many moving companies offer a solution to bud-bugs but it comes with a price. Consider the alternative and weigh your options…have a great move!
Jon Huser
