Misconceptions about Bed Bugs
People believe all sorts of things they hear and read about bed bugs. Many of these are myths or misconceptions will cause much grief if you actually have bed bugs. Here is our opinion of these myths based on our experience with bed bugs and helping customers who have tried everything to get rid of them.
Myth 1: Bed Bugs Only Infest Dirty Homes
Bed bugs can infest any home, regardless of how clean it is. They feed only on blood and not on food debris, unlike cockroaches.
Myth 2: Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is both a safe and effective bed bug remedy
While DE can kill some bed bugs, it is not a reliable solution. Bed bugs may avoid it, and it may harm your lungs if you inhale it while applying it to furniture or floors. You should not use it on your bed, and make sure to vacuum any DE off of furniture or floors before treatment.
Myth 3: Throwing out all of your furniture will solve the bed bug problem
Bed bugs can hide in numerous places besides furniture, such as floors, walls, linens, and personal items. Instead, you can hire Heat Pest Services for treatment and keep your furniture.
Myth 4: Exposing furniture or clothes to the hot sun will kill all bed bugs
The sun may not get hot enough on all sides to eliminate bed bugs. Additionally, bed bugs can be hiding in other parts of your home, not just furniture.
Myth 5: Bed bugs will stay away if you have the lights on
Bed bugs can still bite you, even if you have bright lights on. They tend to infest those who sleep during the day, such as night shift workers.
Myth 6: Vacuuming will solve the bed bug problem
Vacuuming may not capture every bed bug and could even spread them to other areas of your home or vehicle. Bed bug eggs are too sticky to be picked up by a vacuum.
Myth 7: Rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs
While rubbing alcohol can kill some bed bugs on contact, it does not leave a residual killing effect after it evaporates. You will not be able to kill all bed bugs using rubbing alcohol alone.