The Sacramento Region's Most Commonly Asked Bed Bug Questions

What Is The Main Cause Of Bed Bugs?

This is an interesting question because it gets to the heart of one of the most commonly misunderstood facts about bed bugs. There are many people who still believe that bed bugs are attracted to dirty homes and that only unsanitary people get bed bugs. This couldn't be further from the truth. Bed bugs don't decide where they're going to live. Rather, they spread passively from one location to another by hitchhiking on people, luggage, and other items.

If you get bed bugs, it isn't because they crawled in from the outside—and don't expect them to go back outside because they don't live out there. They are indoor pests. If you find these bugs in your home, it is because they hitched a ride into your home. The only exception is that they came into your home from another location within the structure you live in. If you live in a multifamily home, an apartment complex, or a similar arrangement, these bugs can come into your home through the walls.

Where Can Bed Bugs Be Found?

Whether in your home, in another home, or in a business, bed bugs will be found hiding in compressed areas, creases, cracks, and crevices as they have a preference for tight spaces. They may also be found in the dark voids within objects or inside the voids of a structure.

If you have a bed bug infestation, a good place to examine first is your bed—obviously. But it is far from the only place you should examine. The warning signs of a bed bug problem that you need to look for are:

• Shed insect skins.
• Black streaks, stains, or specks.
• Brown stains on fabrics and upholstery.
• Tiny white eggs in batches, or individual eggs scattered about.
• Tiny pale, tan, or rusty brown insects that range from 1mm to 5mm in length.
• Tiny insects that have transparent skins; inside these insects, you should see red blood or black excrement.

Do Bed Bugs Spread Diseases?

At the time of this writing, there are no reported cases of bed bug-to-human disease transmission. There is research evidence that shows bed bugs have the ability to transmit diseases but there are no real-world cases. Yet.

What Health Risks Do Bed Bugs Pose?

If a bed bug infestation goes untreated, this can lead to a few issues. They are all likely to be mitigated before they present a threat, however.

• Anemia can occur when any pest routinely draws blood from you, including bed bugs. 
• Bite wounds can be itchy. When scratched, they can turn into open wounds and this can lead to an infection if not keep clean or disinfected.
• If you are fearful of bed bugs, it can cause you to lose sleep. Over time, this can present health issues and make operating a motor vehicle dangerous.
• It is hard to have a social life when friends or family find out that you have bed bugs in your home. While not a direct medical threat, this can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

What Home Remedies Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

We don't recommend natural remedies for bed bugs such as vinegar spray or diatomaceous earth. These don't work. There are some natural ways you can deal with bed bugs, though. Here are two recommendations:

• If you have an infested item that can be put through a 30-minute dryer cycle, you can put the item in the dryer to arrest the infestation. High temperatures kill bed bugs in all stages of development.
• If you have an item that can't go in your dryer, you may be able to put it in a sealed plastic bag and put it in your freezer for a week instead. This will have the same effect.

If bed bugs are in your bed or another piece of furniture, it's best to contact a licensed professional for bed bug treatments in Sacramento. Throwing your bed out is not likely to correct your infestation. These bugs can be anywhere including inside the structure of your home.