With wingless, oval-shaped, flat bodies, bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed – but the havoc these pests can cause is much bigger. Bed bugs are parasites because they survive completely off the blood of animals or people, and they can be a huge health concern for Tampa homes.
Whether you suspect you’ve got a bed bug infestation or you’re just worried about them, here’s what you should know about the dangers bed bugs can bring into your Tampa home, how hard they are to control or prevent, and what to do if you’ve got an actual bed bug infestation on your hands.
How Dangerous Are Bed Bugs In Tampa, FL?
While there’s no concrete evidence that bed bugs transmit diseases like cockroaches or other pests do, they can still be a major health concern.
Allergic Reactions
Like any pest, bed bugs can trigger allergic reactions from their bites, and it’s more common than you might think. Reactions from bed bugs can vary. While some people might have almost no reaction or just a small mark left behind, in some cases, the reaction could be more severe. A small percentage of people may experience a severe, whole-body reaction like hives or even anaphylaxis.
Anemia
Since they feed off blood, a bed bug infestation that grows large enough can lead to anemia if the bites (and the infestation) go untreated.
Insomnia
Once you know they’re there, living with a bed bug infestation can impact your mental health too. It may lead to anxiety or insomnia if you’re worried about them bed bugs throughout the night.
Secondary Infections
Just like any bite, scratching at bed bug bites could lead to secondary infections like lymphangitis, ecthyma, and impetigo.
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Lymphangitis: This is an inflammation of your lymphatic system, which can lead to symptoms like fever, headaches, and flu-like symptoms.
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Ecthyma: This is a skin infection where crusted sores develop beneath ulcers, or in this case, bed bug bites.
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Impetigo: While it’s more common in children, impetigo leads to reddish sores around your face, hands, and feet.
For all of these reasons and more it's essential to put a stop to bed bug infestations in your Tampa home.
How Difficult Are Bed Bugs To Control In Tampa, FL?
Unfortunately, bed bugs aren’t an easy fix. Because they’re small and mostly active at night, bed bugs can go unnoticed for quite some time. By the time you discover them, you could have a full-blown infestation on your hands. If you try treating the infestation, even missing just one pregnant female bed bug could lead to 1,000 new eggs and 300 new adults within three months.
Depending on the size of the infestation, bed bugs can spread beyond the bedroom. While they may target your mattress or box spring because you sleep there, bed bugs will eventually spread to anywhere with human activity. This can mean your living room, other furniture, or any other area where people in your home congregate.
Another thing that makes bed bugs difficult is that they’re almost impossible to prevent. Unlike some pests, bed bugs don’t end up in your home because you’ve left food out or haven’t cleaned – even immaculate homes can become infested with bed bugs.
These pests may come from infested areas or used furniture, so visiting a friend that has a bed bug problem can mean bringing them into your home too. Certain hotels, motels, or even apartment complexes can be hotspots for bed bugs, so it’s important to carefully inspect sheets and beds whenever you stay somewhere new.
Buying second-hand furniture is a potential bed bug risk too. Since they can go several months without a meal, bed bugs may hide in used furniture that you bring into your home.
What To Do If You’re Noticing Signs Of Bed Bugs In Tampa, FL
As difficult as they are to get rid of, bed bugs aren’t a pest you want to battle on your own, especially if you’re noticing signs of an infestation like:
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Tiny, red bites after you’ve woken up in the morning
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Small blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
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Eggshells, discarded skin, or fecal spots that get left behind in bed bug hiding spots
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A musty odor in certain areas of your home, which comes from a bed bug’s scent glands
As soon as you notice any of the signs, you don’t want to waste any time – contact us at EcoTech Pest Control Services for immediate, professional help. Our experienced specialists can stop a bed bug infestation in its tracks and we’ll make sure these unwanted guests get a permanent eviction from your Tampa home.
