Bed Bugs And Pets
With bed bugs sweeping across the nation, humans aren't the only ones suffering from these creepy little bugs. Bed bugs bite pets as well as humans causing discomfort and skin irritation. I want to emphasize that pets do not carry bed bugs so do not blame your dog, cat or other pet for infestations! Bed bugs live their lives in dark secluded crevices. When they get hungry, they crawl out from their protective lairs in search of a warm body for dinner. They bite their victim for blood because it is high in protein. After the meal, they crawl back to their home to let the food digest.
Since bed bugs do not live on humans or animals, you must look for them in the environment. One telltale sign is blood spots on sheets or pillowcases. Look at your pet's bed as well. Another sign is bed bug dirt (feces) which is similar to flea dirt. The digested blood looks like small specs of pepper. To differentiate between dirt and bed bug feces, place the dirt on a white paper towel and moisten with water. Feces from bed bugs or fleas will turn red while dirt remains unchanged.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, I recommend using a professional pest control company to get rid of them. Remember to tell them about pets so precautions are taken to protect your animals. Birds with their air sac system used in respiration are extremely sensitive to pesticides. To be safe, I recommend moving pets to a safe place for the treatment plus a few days afterwards while you air out the house. Consider it "camp" for your pets while you deal with the bed bugs.
For more information on bed bugs and pets click here to go to an article discussing frequently asked questions regarding bed bugs and pets from the American Veterinary Medical Association .
Since bed bugs do not live on humans or animals, you must look for them in the environment. One telltale sign is blood spots on sheets or pillowcases. Look at your pet's bed as well. Another sign is bed bug dirt (feces) which is similar to flea dirt. The digested blood looks like small specs of pepper. To differentiate between dirt and bed bug feces, place the dirt on a white paper towel and moisten with water. Feces from bed bugs or fleas will turn red while dirt remains unchanged.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, I recommend using a professional pest control company to get rid of them. Remember to tell them about pets so precautions are taken to protect your animals. Birds with their air sac system used in respiration are extremely sensitive to pesticides. To be safe, I recommend moving pets to a safe place for the treatment plus a few days afterwards while you air out the house. Consider it "camp" for your pets while you deal with the bed bugs.
For more information on bed bugs and pets click here to go to an article discussing frequently asked questions regarding bed bugs and pets from the American Veterinary Medical Association .
Posted by Dr Kris Nelson at 10/1/2010 10:11 AM 
Categories: Current Events
Tags: Bed Bugs and Pets Bed Bugs
Categories: Current Events
Tags: Bed Bugs and Pets Bed Bugs
Think there is a lot of misconception that bed bugs can be brought into the house by pets. Good that you cleared this up.
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I'm glad you pointed out that it is important to call a professional when you are dealing with bed bugs. They are extremely difficult to get rid of on your own. And yes, they will feed on your pets just as they do humans. Check for signs of bed bugs routinely - especially after a vacation where you might have unknowingly brought some home with you.
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Finding Bed Bugs-Bed bugs are good at hiding. In fact, you really have to search and know what you are looking for before you may find a bed bug. In many instances, evidence of a bed bug is discovered rather than the actual bug itself. Rusty spots on sheets and mattresses caused by a crushed bug or a bug's fecal matter (which looks like tiny black specks or very small dots of blood) may be the first indication that a bed bug infestation has occurred, along with eggshells and shed skin. Most bed bugs can be found in the crevices and cracks of mattresses, chairs, and sofas. They are often found between the headboard and a wall as well. Because bed bugs prefer wood and fabric over plastic and metal, bed bugs mostly dwell in the more lived-in areas of a home or building, such as a bedroom or hotel room. If you aren't sure whether you have bed bugs, many bed bug exterminators can give your home a professional inspection. While some pest control companies will do this for free, other exterminators charge up to $200. There are even specialized bed bug exterminator companies that use trained dogs to sniff out bed bugs - however, this service is significantly more expensive than a standard inspection. Still, dogs can help you find out if you have a bed bug infestation.
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Bed bugs can also thrive in clothes sold in department stores and even in mattress or furniture stores. When buying stuff, see to it that what you are buying or where you are buying it from is clean. After buying the mattress, immediately take bed bug precautionary measures like spraying the bed with an anti bed bug spray or using mattress covers.
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