There are many ways bed bugs can surprise you—and not in a good way. They are one of the most misunderstood pests in the United States. Today, we’re going to take a look at a few myths you may still believe about bed bugs in Hawaii, and how they can impact your business.
Myth: Bed Bugs Only Feed At Night.
You are probably aware that bed bugs come out at night to feed on people while they sleep. This is true. But they don’t only feed at night. They can feed in the daytime, especially if they find themselves in a location that does not have a bed. And not only can they feed in the daytime, they can feed on people who are awake. Bed bugs administer an anticoagulant during feeding. This thins the blood and allows for blood extraction without discomfort. What does this mean for your business? It means that you can have trouble with bed bugs even if you don’t have nighttime hours.
Myth: Bed Bugs Only Infest Dirty Businesses.
If you run a tight ship, you might think that you don’t have to worry about bed bugs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how tight your ship is. Bed bugs don’t choose dirty businesses. In fact, they don’t choose where they infest at all. They move from one location to another through passive dispersal. They’re picked up and accidentally carried to a new location. In the new location, they make the best of their situation. These bugs don’t go back outside if they’re unhappy with their living conditions. These are almost exclusively indoor pests.
Myth: Bed Bugs Spread Diseases.
When a customer, tenant, or guest notices bed bugs, this myth could cause distress. Some associate bed bugs with ticks, mosquitoes, and other blood-eating pests that spread dangerous diseases. You can set people at ease by letting them know that there are currently no cases of bed bug-to-human disease transmission. If bed bugs are dealt with quickly, they are mostly harmless. If a bed bug infestation is left untreated, it can lead to symptoms of sleep deprivation such as anxiety, depression, and loss of cognitive and motor skills. Ongoing bloodletting can also cause anemia. In most cases, the greatest danger bed bugs present is a threat to your reputation, and your bottom line.
Myth: Bed Bugs Are Too Small To See.
Some people have an intense fear of bed bugs. This fear can be exacerbated by thinking that bed bugs are microorganisms that can be on you all the time. This myth probably arose from the fact that bed bugs are experts at avoiding detection. They hide in tight spaces, compressed areas, and dark voids. If an employee or customer brings up the question of whether or not bed bugs are too small to see, you can inform them that bed bugs range in size from 1mm to 4.5mm long. That’s pretty small, but not so small that you can’t see them. If a bed bug is feeding on them, they’ll know it.
Myth: A Business Can Deal With Bed Bugs On Their Own.
Bed bugs have been infesting man-made structures since the dawn of time. If they were easy to get rid of, they’d be extinct by now. Don’t trust your reputation to DIY bed bug control. Bullseye K-9 Detection offers expert bed bug detection and control services in Hawaii. We can help you catch bed bugs quickly or advise you on the right strategy for dealing with bed bugs when they appear. Reach out to us for immediate assistance.