Bed bugs were once the bane of civilization everywhere. While this pest is not too common in Massachusetts, you never know when an infestation could occur. Thanks in large part to the massive use of chemical pesticides like DDT [d(ichloro)d(iphenyl)t(richloroethane)], which has since been outlawed in the United States, this annoying pest was mostly eradicated in all the major nations. Unfortunately, the problem still persisted in developing nations and could easily be carried back into our country by travelers. It is currently thought that modern outbreaks are the result of major international travel although science has yet to provide a solution for detecting them at this point of entry.
Bed bugs are parasites much like other blood feeding pests such as fleas or ticks. This family of insects has several members, but the most common is the Cimex lectularius which seems to prefer human blood. Their nickname derives from their most common nesting area, our bedding. This includes the mattresses, sheets, blankets and pillows we use on them. When hiring an exterminator to eliminate an infestation of bed bugs in MA you will need to ensure they have complete access to these items including any that you may have placed in storage.
There are some adverse medical issues associated with bed bugs in MA although few are truly life threatening. The most common problem most people endure are the welts and possible skin blisters associated with the bites inflicted from the feeding insects. However, some people may suffer allergic reactions and in rare cases psychological trauma has been reported.
Eliminating the problem requires discovering the pest in the first place. A small infestation with only a few insect bites might be misinterpreted as another problem until you actually see the bugs. Bed bugs are small, about the size of an apple seed and reddish brown in appearance. Most infestations start out small so you may not realize they are even there until the bites occur. In most cases an experienced pest control company such as Guaranty Pest Elimination can remove the problem very quickly, but a large infestation could require a follow up in case any eggs were missed.
