Are Bed Bugs Dangerous? Why You Should Hire a Professional Exterminator

It’s enough to give us stress when we hear bed bugs. These pesky, little bugs are known to infest homes, hotels and commercial businesses often as a silent pest that quickly multiplies into an infestation. While they don’t spread diseases in the way that mosquitoes or ticks do, bed bugs can still create a variety of physical, emotional and financial issues.

If you even think you have bed bugs, it’s important to act fast. Look for a professional bed bug exterminator for help. Learn more about what makes bed bugs dangerous and why professional assistance is the only way to properly address an infestation.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs, or Cimex lectularius, are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other animals. It is worth noting that a bedbug, the size of an apple seed and brownish red in color, represents the family member. They are nocturnal in that they come out only at night and seek areas to hide during the day such as the seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, behind baseboards and inside furniture. Their tiny eggs are pearly white and very hard to see.

The fact that bed bugs can spread quickly is what really makes the problem hard to treat. They can catch a ride on luggage, clothes, second-hand beds and more to easily spread to new habitats. After they establish a residence or business, it can be very hard to get rid of them without professional help.

Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?

While bedbugs do not transmit diseases to humans, they are not benign. They can actually cause a variety of issues in your life that affect your health, happiness and financial situation.

Bed bug bites are commonly red, raised and itchy. In some cases, people are allergic and their reaction to it is somewhat more severe–the swelling can be worse, or there might actually be blisters, or even hives. Scratching the bites has been due to infection in extreme cases, such as impetigo or cellulitis, they could exploit. Anaphylactic reactions or other extreme hypersensitivity may occasionally occur in sensitive individuals.

The emotional distress caused by these bed bugs can be intense, too. An active infestation causes high anxiety, stress and most feel they get no sleep of all. And it’s not unusual for people to lose sleep, since these creatures feed at night. When you're not sleeping well night after night, that lack of restorative sleep can result in fatigue, irritability, and even depression. Bed bugs may also be a source of shame and social rejection for families or businesses seeking to uphold respectable appearances. This is among the top reasons for people looking for bed bug heat treatment.

Financially, the expenses of attempting to handle a bed bug problem can become quite extensive. Some mattresses, couches, or furniture can become infested and may have to be thrown away. DIY treatment efforts frequently result in continued purchases of traditional sprays and traps. For property owners, landlords or Airbnb hosts, a bed bug infestation can lead to lost revenue, bad reviews and the potential for legal action.

Why You Should Never DIY When Treating Bed Bug Infestations?

Taking on bed bugs yourself is a high-risk exercise in futility in most cases. There are a lot of exterminating sprays available at home stores that say they will kill bed bugs, but the bugs have become resistant to many products sold in stores. They’re also expert hiders in places you wouldn’t think to look inside furniture joints, behind electrical outlets, inside wall seams. Because if you miss just a handful of bugs or eggs during treatment, the remaining critters can send you spiraling into another full-blown infestation in weeks.

Worst of all, DIY remedies often have the opposite effect. Misapplication of pesticides can also lead to the spreading of infestations. In high-rises, the issue can spread fast to neighboring apartments or offices. That’s why it’s important to contact a professional exterminator at the first sign of trouble. Moreover, the bed bug exterminator prices are also not so high.

Why Call a Professional Exterminator?

Professionals are experts at detecting, treating and preventing bed bug infestations with tried-and-true methods and state of the art equipment. Their licensed service professional starts with a meticulous inspection to validate the issue and see how big the infestation is. Their method is scientific in nature and is not a guesswork like the DIY methods.

They have a variety of treatments to suit your needs. One of the most effective ways to use it is bed bug heat treatment which kills bed bugs (and their eggs) in all life stages. The process is chemical free, safe for most items, and able to be done in one visit. For the traditionalists, they also provide EPA-approved chemical treatments administered with precision and soul to ensure no toxic exposure of any kids or fur babies in your family. They sometimes vacuum, steam or treat with insecticides in targeted area for maximum impact.

They use individualized treatment strategies designed to suit your home or business, the type and severity of infestation you are experiencing and any particular health or safety concerns that you may have. They can also set up return appointments and are able to provide monitoring options to make sure you never have that problem again. Better still, our treatments are supported by satisfaction guarantees, so you can sleep soundly knowing the job has been done right.

Conclusion

If you’re waking to unexplained bites, especially in a line or cluster formation, it could be bed bugs. You may also see small blood stains on your sheets or dark specks on your mattress if you have bedbugs, which are a cluster of feces from the bugs. People have also reported a sweet, musty smell emanating from the area around their bed, another potential sign of an infestation. At the first sign of any of these indicators, it’s time to call in the bed bug exterminator.

The quicker you can diagnose and treat the issue, the faster you can eradicate the infestation and avoid more damage.

FAQs

Can bed bugs make me sick?

While they don’t spread disease, bed bugs can cause allergic reactions, secondary infections from scratching, and sleep-related issues that affect your health over time.

How do I know if I have bed bugs?

Common signs include itchy bites, blood stains on sheets, black specks on mattresses, and a musty odor near sleeping areas. A professional inspection is the best way to confirm.

How long does professional treatment take?

Most treatments take a few hours, though the duration depends on the size of the infestation. Heat treatments are typically completed in a single day.

Is professional treatment safe for my family?

Yes. Pest City USA uses family- and pet-safe treatments that meet all safety standards. We’ll walk you through any precautions needed before or after treatment.