The holidays can call for very hectic traveling schedules for many people. Hotel rooms, fold out couches, airport benches, extended family living quarters and a friend of a friends man cave may be some of the exciting destinations holiday travelers will experience this winter. To keep your mind off bed bugs and on more important topics like food, family and the warmth from the fireplace, its helpful to be able to differentiate between truth and myth when it comes to bed bugs.

Top 5 Common Bed Bug Myths Exposed

• Bed bugs are invisible! 
  False. Adult bed bugs, nymphs and their eggs are all visible to the naked eye.
• Bed bugs live in filthy surroundings or prefer dirty places.
  Bed bugs prefer to live in clutter, however they are not drawn to the dirt but rather to the warmth. Blood and Carbon Dioxide (C02) are also magnets for this pest but dirt itself is not appealing to bed bugs.
• Bed bugs can only bite you at night.
  False. Although they prefer darker lighting, bed bugs can and will bite you at any time, that is, if they are hungry and you are around. Popping on the light unfortunately does not deter this pest.
• Bed bugs only infest mattresses.
  False. Bed bugs can also live in couches and chairs, be transported by bags and pets and be picked up at places as common as the movie theater, on the bus or at the mall.
• Bed bugs transmit deadly diseases.
  False. As strange as it seems, there are actually no reported cases of bed bugs directly transmitting human disease. Other symptoms, like insomnia and nervousness as well as side effects such as secondary infections, can be caused by the presence of bed bugs. However, zero cases of disease transmission have been reported even though they can, in fact, harbor over 20 human pathogens.

Prevention and Avoidance Practices

Prevention is the best approach for bed bugs. Making sure not to pick up furniture off the side of the road or that has been stored outside can help to decrease your chances of bed bugs getting into your home. Sealing up any cracks and entryways in walls lessens the chances for pests to enter and multiply. Another helpful tip is to keep a tidy and organized living space. Bed bugs find more places to live in cluttered areas than in those that are well maintained. You can knock out your holiday cleaning and prevent bed bugs from entering your home at the same time, keeping these tips and tricks in mind.

If however you do find yourself with a bed bug infestation, then the best thing you can do is call a pest professional like Truly Nolen Charlotte. When bed bug infestations arent handled properly, they can spread the bed bugs instead of eliminating them. Call Truly Nolen Charlotte at 704-910-2936 to schedule an appointment.