Your home is your sanctuary, so you should always feel comfortable and safe there. A homeowner can get the creeps if they need to call upon pest control companies for services. Unfortunately, bed bug infestations can happen to even the cleanest homeowner, especially if you're taking a summer vacation. According to OneDesk, 4 out of 5 hotels and motels had bed bug sightings in the past year. Always take any contact with bed bugs seriously, as they pose more dangers than you may realize. Keep reading to learn more.

Disease Exposure

When thinking of infestations that prevent disease, you may automatically think of rodents or similar pests. However, you may also have to rely on pest control companies that handle bed bugs to keep your residence free of disease. According to the National Library of Medicine, bed bugs carry pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites in both their feces and saliva. So, if bed bugs are nesting in and pooping in your bed or mattress, while feasting on your skin at night, you'll be exposed to such contamination. Some of the pathogens they carry may cause illnesses like Chagas disease or Hepatitis B, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Allergic Reactions

These bugs may bite people without the bite automatically showing up. Others may develop severe allergic reactions to such bites. If the bites show up on your skin, it can resemble chicken pox or red blotches. The bites can also itch and swell up. In worst-case scenarios, some people may also develop a condition called anaphylaxis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When bed bug bites cause anaphylaxis, the person will experience low blood pressure, shock, and difficulty breathing.

Mental Health Effects

It may not be surprising that a bed bug infestation can cause great mental health issues for anyone. Knowing a bunch of bugs may come out at night and bite you while you're trying to sleep can easily cause someone to develop insomnia, anxiety, or even paranoia. According to the Sleep Foundation, people need at least seven to nine hours of restful sleep a night. When you don't get the sleep you need, you can easily develop weight problems, inflammation, and fatigue, according to Healthline. So as you can see, the mental health trauma you can experience by having bed bugs can have a continuous downward effect on your overall health.

Property Damage

Did you know that bed bugs can also be dangerous to your property? It's no secret that they'll infest your bed and mattresses. In addition to your bedding, they can also hitch onto your furniture, carpets, rugs, curtains, and anything with fabric that allows them to hide and nest in. During a major infestation, expect to see a buildup of odors, stains, and fecal matter that can ruin such items. As an infestation grows, it can spread from one room to another and continuously ruin more of your items. If you have to invest in an exterminator to get rid of them, they may have to discard certain items to ensure the infestation is gone and doesn't come back.

Reputation Damages

Of course, bed bugs are dangerous when it comes to your reputation. Imagine going out of your way to live a clean, healthy lifestyle and maintain a beautiful home only to have it ruined by one or two bed bugs getting in and nesting. If people find out you have bed bugs, they may wrongfully assume things about your hygiene level. After all, people often associate any bug or rodent infestation with poor hygiene when, in some cases, it only takes one bug or rodent to get inside your home through a crack to wreak havoc. If your home has bed bugs, you could become a social pariah, since some individuals don't want bed bugs latching onto their clothing and going to their homes.

As you can see, bed bugs aren't just annoying, they can cause a lot of harm in your life. They threaten your mental and physical health as well as your property. However, as a homeowner, you can be proactive and take the necessary steps you need to keep a clean infestation-free home by enlisting the services of pest control companies. Call Northeast Pest Control Inc today to get started with an appointment.