Bed bugs are little bloodsucking insects that may infest homes, hotels, and other sleeping areas. They are not known to spread illnesses, but their victims may experience physical irritation, allergic responses, and psychological discomfort. Bed bugs are also famously difficult to eradicate because they may hide in cracks and crevices, go months without eating, and develop tolerance to chemicals.
According to a recent survey by PureCare, a business that offers bed insect-proof bedding products, West Virginia is the second most likely state in the United States to have a bed bug infestation. The study analyzed the frequency of queries linked to bed bugs, such as “bed bug bites”, “how to kill bed bugs”, and “bed bug symptoms”. Based on this information, the research issued a Bed Bug Search Score to each state, with higher scores suggesting a greater interest or worry about bed bugs.
The survey discovered that Oklahoma has the highest Bed Bug Search Score, with 99.1 out of 100, followed by West Virginia, with 91.2. Kansas, Kentucky, and Indiana rounded out the top five state rankings. The lowest-scoring states were Oregon, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington.
The study also determined which cities had the greatest and lowest Bed Bug Search Scores in each state. Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown had the highest infestation rates in West Virginia while Wheeling, Parkersburg, and Beckley had the lowest.
Why is West Virginia so Prone to Bedbugs?
Several factors can contribute to the high incidence of bed bugs in West Virginia, including:
Climate: Bed bugs like it when it’s warm and muggy, which is often the case in West Virginia in the summer.
Travel: The Appalachian Mountains, the New River Gorge, and the Greenbrier Resort are just a few of the many places that draw tourists to West Virginia. People who travel to places with bed bugs may bring them with them without realizing it, or they may pick them up at hotels, hostels, and other places to stay.
Poverty: In 2020, 16% of people in West Virginia lived below the government poverty line, which is one of the highest rates in the country. Poverty can make it hard to get good pest control services and buy new furniture, beds, or clothes that are affected.
Awareness: People in West Virginia may not know much about bed bugs, their signs, or how to keep them away. The West Virginia University Extension Service says that bed bugs are often mistaken for other bugs, like fleas, ticks, or lice, or for rashes, hives, or illnesses when they bite. A lot of people might not know they have bed bugs until the problem gets worse.
How to Avoid and Treat Bed Bug Infestations?
The greatest method to avoid bed bug infestations is to not bring them into your house in the first place. Here are some tips for doing this:
Before and after your trip, inspect your baggage, clothing, and personal objects for symptoms of bed bugs. Use a flashlight and a magnifying glass to search for live bugs, eggs, shells, feces, or blood stains. If you discover any, place them in a plastic bag and dispose of them appropriately. Check the mattress, box spring, headboard, and furniture for evidence of bed bugs in any hotel, motel, or other accommodation facility where you stay. If you see any, please tell the administration and request an alternative room or a refund.
After going or staying in a possibly contaminated area, wash and dry your clothing and bedding on high heat. Heat destroys bedbugs and their eggs.
Use bedbug-proof coverings or encasements on your mattress, box spring, and pillows. These keep bed bugs from hiding and feasting on them. Vacuum your floors, carpets, furniture, and other surfaces regularly, and then dispose of the vacuum bag or contents in a sealed plastic bag. Reduce clutter and cover any gaps or crevices in your walls, floors, or furniture where bed bugs may hide.
If you suspect or confirm that you have a bed bug infestation, act swiftly to get rid of it. Here are some steps to achieve this:
Contact a qualified pest control technician who specializes in dealing with bed bugs. Do not try to use over-the-counter insecticides, foggers, or explosives since they may be inefficient, dangerous, or unlawful. Follow the pest control professional’s instructions and recommendations attentively, and work with them throughout the treatment procedure.
Wash and dry all of your clothing, bedding, curtains, and other washable goods on the highest heat setting available. Keep them in tight plastic bags until the infestation is gone.
Remove any contaminated things that cannot be cleaned, dried, or treated, such as mattresses, box springs, furniture, or carpets. Before tossing them away, wrap them in plastic and label them “bed bug-infested”.
Shoes, books, toys, and gadgets cannot be washed or dried, so steam clean or heat treat them instead. This can be done using a commercial steamer or a portable heat chamber, or by hiring an expert.
Monitor the infestation with sticky traps, interceptors, or other bed bug-capturing or detection equipment. Check them regularly and report any findings to your pest control specialist.