A new survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports that only 29 percent of Americans know how to identify bed bugs. The NPMA has launched a video series, “Bed Bugs Exposed,” to help improve this percentage. Debuting during Bed Bug Awareness Week, June 1 – 7, this series offers an up-close look at how bed bugs behave in real-world environments, helping consumers learn what they look like, where they hide and how to stop them before they become a serious problem.
“Until you’ve seen a bed bug infestation up close, it’s hard to understand just how sneaky these pests really are,” explained Dr. Jim Fredericks, BCE, senior vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “’Bed Bugs Exposed’ gives homeowners an unprecedented look at how these pests operate, coupled with the knowledge to spot the signs early and avoid bringing these hitchhikers home.”
A recent survey of pest control professionals conducted by NPMA and the University of Florida found that over 82 percent of NPMA members have treated for bed bugs in the last year. 89 percent of respondents indicated that they treated single-family homes, followed by apartments and condos (88 percent), hotels and motels (70 percent), nursing homes and assisted care facilities (57 percent) and college dorms (36 percent).
“Not only can these blood-feeding pests cause itchy, red welts on your skin, but they can multiply quickly and often go unnoticed, leading to costly treatments if not caught early,” added Dr. Fredericks.
For more information about bed bugs and to watch the series, visit here.
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