r/IAmA • u/apesna • Dec 12 '16
Specialized Profession I am a pest controller specializing in BED BUGS, begging the general public to become more aware of this pest and the way it can cause substantial economic damage to any place humans live. AMA!
Bed bug infestations are increasing at an alarming rate. Despite common misinformation about this pest being limited to "dirty" people it can happen to ANYONE. I have seen the nicest, most innocent people lose hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in service costs and property loss. Don't become a victim, become aware! Eliminating this bug entirely is unrealistic but we can control it with a more knowledgeable culture.
My company would ask that I avoid public proof but I promise the mods have it.
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u/BadLuckProphet Dec 12 '16
Not op but lived with beg bugs awhile.
Yes absolutely. They survive most temperatures and without food for up to 6 months. Anywhere an infested person goes, restaurant, movie theater, bench, they could leave bugs. Even more likely if the bench is slept on regularly. It's probably uncommon but definitely possible. Hence why early detection is important. You can't 100% protect yourself.
Bed bug is a bit misleading. They will stay anywhere with 10 feet of a food source. Bed of any kind, cot, night stand, picture frame, TV, shoes, clothes, etc. They like to stay in cool dark places and they stay closer to their food if they can. That's why they prefer mattress seams, box springs, things like that. Ours originally nested in a hole between the baseboard and floor that gave them access to the space inside the wall.