Western Canada's original K9 bed bug detectors
BED BUG FAQ'S
WHAT ARE BED BUGS?
Bed bugs (Cimex Lectularius) are found in every corner of the globe and their population has been rising since the 1990’s. They are 4-5mm long, brown, oval shaped blood sucking critters, and females lay up to ten eggs per day.
They are fussy eaters, with their only source of food being blood. In addition to humans, bed bugs are also fond of feasting on pets. If starved of the opportunity of a midnight feast, they can survive for up to six months without food.
WHERE DO THEY COME FROM?
They are seasoned hitchhikers. Their primary mode of transport are human beings and their personal belongings.
Bed Bugs crawl into places such as clothing, luggage, and second-hand furniture. Once they arrive at their final destination, they quickly make their new surroundings their forever home.
WHERE DO THEY LIVE?
Despite their name, they do not exclusively live in blankets and mattresses. They are equally comfortable living in chairs, sofas, electronic devices such as laptops, under floorboards, and in electrical sockets and wall cavities. These places are mere hiding holes, they seek out blood under the cover of darkness. They truly are real life little vampires.
WHEN ARE THEY ACTIVE?
Sadly, they are a 365-day problem. It is a common misconception that bed bugs only thrive in hot environments and summer months. In fact, their favourite temperature is 20-22°C, the temperature most people set their thermostat at during colder months.
WHY ARE THEY A PROBLEM?
Although bed bug bites do not cause death or serious illness, they do present significant problems.
Households
Physiological: itchy bites which can take weeks of treatment to clear, in rare cases severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis may occur
Psychological: anxiety, fear, insomnia
Economic: cost of treatment
Businesses
Economic: immediate fiscal impact due to lost business during treatment
Reputational: long-term long business due to negative PR
DO I HAVE BED BUGS?
Do you have unexplained small itchy bites on your body?
Do you have little blood dots on your bed sheets?
Have you come in contact with someone who has a confirmed case of bed bugs?
Have you stayed in a hotel or hostel? (btw, even five-star hotels have them)
Have you been in the reception area of any type of office, clinic, or hospital?
Have you bought any second-hand clothes, furniture, or electrical equipment?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may very well have bed bugs. However, the best way to confirm whether they are in your home or business premise, is to contact us and arrange for Rio to conduct an inspection.
It is important to bear in mind that during the initial stages of infestation, there may be no tell-tale signs. Regardless, Rio will sniff them out.
