The Truth Behind “Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite”

by Ade Pranata

Do you know who was the person who said this? Wherever it came from, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” holds a grain of truth to it. It begins with the villain, the bed bugs. Bed bugs are bloodsucking insects that live in warm areas of your furniture like the bed, couch, draperies and carpets.

They are tiny parasites and feeds on a blood meal like a flea. But the bed bugs prefer human blood. The saying “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” is actually a wrong notion of the insect. This is because bed bugs do not bite. They pierce the skin with an elongated beak and uses it like a straw to draw blood from the prey. Think of it as a mosquito, without the dangers of transmitting diseases.

The saying “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” is proven to be a bad warning because people rarely feel the bed bug as it feeds. When bed bugs feed, they release a chemical like a mild anesthesia that numbs the skin. That is why people are surprised to see itchy, swelling welts on their body the next day.

How to Control Bed Bugs

by Ade Pranata

Bed bugs are unlikely and unwanted housemates you might have currently. They can never be as gross and scary as other insects and pests like cockroaches, but they can be really annoying.

Bed bugs are insects that thrive on small holes, cracks or crevices in walls and floors. Generally, bed bugs like to live in dark and untidy corners or portions of the house.

Bed bugs suck blood. It is their primary means of making a living. Hence, they go out at night and suck blood from unsuspecting victims, who may be sleeping by that time.

Bed bugs do not transit or carry communicable diseases, bu their bites can get really really itchy. To some people, especially the more sensitive ones, bed bugs’ bites can pose serious health situations.

Controlling bed bugs

Bed Bugs Alert: Know the Bed Bugs Symptoms

by Ade Pranata

Many people these days are unaware of bed bugs symptoms. It is understandable since bed bugs together with some pests have been exterminated during the widespread use of DDT in the United States after World War I.

But because of international travel and immigration, bed bugs symptoms are making a comeback. But people don't detect bed bugs symptoms until someone complains of excessive itching and has oval-shaped insect bite marks which are often mistaken as moquitoes or dust mites bites.