Let me ask you, do you know what's hiding in your mattress?
Don't take offense to that question. It's not meant to be personal. But it's hardly a secret that bed bugs are back and with a vengeance. They're invading homes and taking up residence in mattresses across the country. And just because your home hasn't been attacked yet doesn't mean it won't be. They are on the march and no one or no household is immune.
In case you've missed it, these sneaky bloodsuckers have been the cause of increasing paranoia and panic from Maine the Florida. California to Ohio. And all points in between.
This six legged menace has been spotted in swanky beach side resorts and humble hostels alike.
Movie theaters and college campuses have also reported bed bug breakouts.
They've also been found in rental cars and moving vans.
All of which is a problem since the instinctive goal of any self respecting bed bug is to find its next meal. So immediately after finding their way to your mattress, or more likely your box springs, they'll start to count the hours until sun down. Hungrily anticipating the time for you to turn in for the night.
Why the upswing in bed bug sightings? And bitings? Seems they have staged their comeback in part due to increased international travel making it more likely they will be able to strike when you least expect it. When you're sound asleep.
That's right. Once they've found a reliable source of food, you, they'll set up residence nearby (your mattress). This way when the urge for a midnight snack strikes they won't need to go far to tap a meal.
And guess what else? It's quite likely that you'll never fully understand what hit you. Or should I say bit you. Well at least not right away. And not unless you react to their unpleasant little love bites. Which can show up as reddish marks, welts, or worse blisters on any skin left exposed at night. Which explains why their bite marks are typically be found on faces, necks, arms or legs.
Of course reacting may be a good thing. Or not. Because for some bed bug bites can get hyper itchy. It's almost enough to drive you crazy. If you unknowingly scratch them in your sleep they can bleed. They might even get infected.
I don't know about you but being on some bug's menu can keep you up nights. It's like being featured in your very own horror movie. This is the stuff of nightmares that can traumatize you and scar you for life. Bed bugs can do that to a person.
Being victimized by bedbugs can leave you waking up in the middle of the night swearing there is something crawling on your arm even though there isn't. It can drive you buggy. Literally.
What's worse is when there actually is something crawling on your neck, you may instinctively slap it. Only to look down at your hand to find to it covered with blood. Your blood. Plus the remains of the hapless bug slapped into the next life.
Now some cities have been hit especially hard. A poll of residents of one that for obvious reasons will remain nameless showed that reportedly 14% had had close encounters with these unwanted bloodsuckers.
Because of this property managers, home owners, and hotel operators need to recognize the problem react accordingly. Travelers especially need to take care. If you like to shop garage sales you need to do so with bed bugs in mind.
Don't underestimate their tenacity and determination to get to you.
Don't assume your zip code will keep you safe. Bed bugs are equal opportunity biters and will just as gladly bite those living in 90210 type zip codes as well as those living in the seedier parts of town. Doesn't matter to them what your address is.
Don't assume you're immune because of any other outside factors.
Which is why we all need to seriously become familiar with the habit of bed bugs. If you want to stay ahead of this scourge, you'll need to be proactive and arm yourself with some useful tips. Because if you aren't careful you'll find out the hard way that they're creepy, they're crawly, and they're coming to a bed near you.
