How Common Bed Bugs Are
WouterBedbugs can be found everywhere, but they are particularly prevalent in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities. A recent study revealed that about 20 percent of Americans have experienced an infestation, while the numbers were higher in the Northeast, the Midwest and the South. The poll also found that most people are concerned about them, with 80 percent citing hotels and other accommodations as the most common places they have encountered bedbugs. Other locations where people are concerned include public transportation, movie theaters and retail stores. While bedbugs are not common at home, 92 percent of Americans said they would seek treatment for them if they saw them.
Bedbugs can be easily picked up on clothing, luggage and furniture. It is possible to pick them up in public places like theaters, buses and trains. The insects are small enough to be seen with the unaided eye, but you may need a hand-magnifying lens to see eggs. Other signs of an infestation include dark patches on skin and shed skin. Infested areas can have an acrid, “buggy” odor.
An infestation of bedbugs in a home can be a major inconvenience. Not only do they cause an unpleasant itch, but they are a health risk. Bedbugs can be transferred from place to place by people, and they are found in all types of accommodations, including hotels, motels, apartments, and other lodgings. Bedbugs are most often carried by luggage and “pre-loved” furniture. They also spread through clothes that people wear on vacation.
