How Common Are Bed Bugs in Homes?
Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood. They can be found in both dirty and immaculate homes. Bedbugs bite humans during the night by piercing the skin and sucking blood through an elongated beak. They feed for three to ten minutes before crawling away unnoticed.
Although these insects have no wings, they can hide in cracks and crevices in bed frames, headboards, and other furniture. They can also hide in folds and pockets in bedding and clothes. They can crawl up to eight feet and can live for months without food. They can hide anywhere from the head of a screw to the seam of a piece of furniture.
The first step in avoiding bedbugs is to avoid bedbug-infested furniture and carpets. The second step is to use mattress covers to prevent the bugs from entering your home. It’s important to keep shoes and clothing off your floors as well, because bedbugs can live in these places.
Bedbugs are found in 85% of homes, so you should begin inspecting your home by inspecting your mattress, box spring, bed frame, headboard, and box spring. If you find evidence of bedbugs, you should contact your landlord immediately to find a certified exterminator. During this inspection, you should use a flashlight and a small mirror to check for cracks and crevices that bedbugs can hide in.