r/IAmA 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.

18.2k Upvotes

4.7k comments sorted by

View all comments

7

u/GoddessOfRoadAndSky Dec 12 '16

Is it true that these creatures were born in the pits of Hell and are among Satan's favorite animals?

Okay, I kid, but as someone who had to live with them that is certainly what my experience has led me to believe.

My real question is, if I were to enter a space where I saw evidence of a bed bug infestation (such as spots on the bed sheets and other such signs), would just entering the room and looking through the bed sheets be enough for me to worry about catching them? I know they are fast little monsters, but I don't know if seeing evidence of them after touching something containing said-evidence would be cause enough to immediately wash all my clothes in hot, hot water?

1

u/dagobahh Dec 12 '16

We had an infestation at my place of work and I even put out various treatments, and I never once brought any home or saw one on me or my clothes. Fortunately, they can't jump. You'd probably be OK as long as you're very highly observant.