There is a huge myth that bed bugs are attracted to dirt and grime. That's not exactly true. The main thing that makes us so attractive to bed bugs is the carbon dioxide our bodies produce. Secondly, is the warmth, with darkness coming in last. While decluttering, cleaning and vacuuming will eliminate possible hiding spots, it will not stop the infestation. Bed bugs like to make their homes within a 5 ft radius of their host. With 1/3 of our day being spent in the bedroom, it makes this room the most common place. Bed bugs can feed on any warm-blooded host, animal or human. Humans are the most sought after target because of our exposed skin. If bitten, you will not know until AFTER the bug feeds. This is due to the fact that their salvia acts like an anesthetic. Once they begin to feed, they will inject their saliva into the host. This promotes blood flow and prevents clotting, making the process quick and painless. And because their bites are so small and they usually feed in a pattern, the bites are often mistaken for rashes.

While bed bugs are not feeding, they love to hide in the cracks and crevices of your home. A telltale sign of bed bugs would be fecal and blood smears on the linens of your bed. A sweet, musty odor will also sometimes be present. Due to their small size, their hiding spaces are unlimited. However, their favorite place to hide are close to their food sources. These hiding places include your mattress, box spring and bed frame. Other hiding spots include the edge of the curtains, shelving, night stands or tables, clothes and edges of carpet.

In most cases, a bed bug infestation is not a DYI treatment and will need a professional's help. Treatments can include the application of pesticides or a heat treatment on the home. The treatment will depend on the severity of the infestation. Treatment will be needed on the cracks and crevices of your home along with all bedroom furniture, couches, chest of drawers, night stands and any shelving. Should your mattress, box spring or furniture have hole or tears, it may be recommended for disposal. This disposal helps to prevent re-infestation.