Are Bed Bugs Good For You?

While bedbugs can bite and transmit disease, this is not a common problem. Infestations can result in thick feces, hundreds of shed skins, and egg masses as thick as one millimeter. Bedbugs may also spread a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause heart failure.

Bedbugs are most active at night. But they may feed during the day if they’re hungry. In order to reproduce, bedbugs must feed periodically. They pierce skin with their elongated beak and feed on the blood of their host. After feeding, the bedbug nymphs will remain attached to the host for up to five minutes before retreating to a secluded location.

To prevent bedbugs from entering your home, keep the bedding and furniture clean. Washing them in hot water and drying them in hot sun are effective measures. In addition, you can buy and use mattress covers and box spring covers. These methods can prevent the spread of bedbugs and other pests in your home.

Bedbug bites usually produce red, itchy welts that fade within a week. Although bedbugs don’t transmit disease, they can aggravate skin conditions such as allergic reactions and chronic rashes. Fortunately, the bites themselves don’t require professional treatment, and topical steroid creams can provide temporary relief.