Bed Bug Droppings Are More Dangerous Than Bed Bugs Themselves
Bed Bug Droppings Are More Dangerous Than Bed Bugs Themselves
Bed bug infestations seemingly appear out of nowhere. Nobody ever plans on dealing with bed bug infestations. This is probably why having bed bugs eradicated is always a hassle. Luckily having bed bugs eradicated means not having to worry about bed bug-related dangers, right? Although bed bugs do not transmit disease, they are certainly more problematic to human health than most people realize. Sustaining welts after itching bed bug bites is not the worst effect that bed bugs can have on people. More specifically, bed bug droppings can linger in people’s homes for long periods of time after a bed bug infestation is eradicated. These droppings contain chemicals that can be hazardous to human health.
Recently published research from North Carolina State University has revealed that some people’s homes contain high levels of histamine in the air, while other homes do not. The homes that contain high levels of histamine are also homes where bed bug infestations had been eradicated. High-histamine homes still contained significant amounts of bed bug droppings, which is where the histamines originate. In fact, homes that had infestations eradicated have twenty times the normal amount of histamines in the air. Of course, histamine levels were normal in homes where bed bug infestations had never occurred.
Although bed bug infestations can be eradicated with professional heat-treatments, the histamines from bed bug droppings can remain in household dust for up to three months after an infestation has been eradicated. Bed bugs create histamines for sexual signaling and as a way to notify other bed bugs of danger. Bed bugs leave their droppings in folds of fabric where they make their homes. The histamines that remain in people’s homes after bed bugs are eradicated can be especially dangerous to people with allergies. The researchers involved with this study are hoping to contribute to the development of new pest control products that neutralize histamines from bed bug droppings.
Have you ever known someone who claimed to feel unwell after a bed bug infestation had been eradicated in their home?