For many homeowners, the thought of any pest in their home is enough to make their skin crawl. Bed bugs, however, have a unique reputation in the world of pests, and dealing with an infestation can also lead to certain health risks for some people. In today’s blog, we’ll review four of the most common health hazards associated with bed bugs and how you can combat them.
At Advanced K9 Bed Bug Seekers, our goal is to provide thorough, industry leading bed bug detection services to the Denver area. If you are concerned about an infestation in your home, call us at 720-251-2665 to schedule an inspection.
4 Health Hazards of Bed Bugs
Although these pests aren’t known for spreading disease, there are several health hazards that you should be aware of if you have a bed bug infestation. We’ve listed the most common ones below.
Allergy
Although uncomfortable, bed bug bites are not life threatening for most people. However, if you have an allergy or hypersensitivity to bed bugs, their bites could send you into anaphylactic shock. Additionally, extensive bed bug infestations give off a distinctly musky sweet smell that can bother people with allergies and breathing conditions.
Secondary Infections
Bed bug bites can be incredibly itchy, and since bed bugs frequently attack at night, it can be difficult to keep yourself from scratching around the bite area. When the bites are scratched, germs and bacteria may enter the wound. This can easily promote irritation and secondary infection of the bug bite.
Insomnia
It is not uncommon for homeowners dealing with bed bug infestations to suffer from a lack of quality sleep because of the bites and itching that occur during nighttime hours. This lack of sleep can turn into insomnia which can impact people physically and emotionally. Signs of insomnia may include irritability, anxiety, trouble focusing, and appetite loss.
Stress and Depression
This insomnia, paired with unsightly bite marks on skin, can cause a lot of stress for homeowners, and too much stress can lead to increased feelings of depression. Additionally, those who have an infestation in their home may feel the stigma of social isolation when others don’t want to visit, and this can cause additional stress sadness for homeowners.
Worried About a Bed Bug Infestation?
If you’re experiencing any of the above health concerns and you’re worried that you might have bed bugs in your Denver home, Advanced K9 Bed Bug Seekers is here to help. Our specially trained bed bug dog can seek out active bed bug infestations with 90 percent accuracy — that’s more accurate than the human eye alone. To learn more about our services and how we can help you, contact our team today! We look forward to speaking with you.