Where Does Louisiana Rank on the Worst Bed Bugs List?

Dugas Pest Control provides bed bug extermination services at commercial properties in Louisiana When it comes to the itchy, crawly, blood-sucking bed bugs that keep people up at night, it’s always the big cities that are hardest hit. There are two reasons for this. The first is that there are more people living and working in large cities, creating a greater chance for bed bug infestations. Second, people travel to large cities, so there is a higher chance that someone from another state or country will bring bed bugs along with them.

Bed Bugs Found in Large Cities across the U.S.

So where does Louisiana rank on the worst bed bug lists? For once, none of the major Louisiana cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge are near the top of a negative list – in this case, the worst states for bed bug infestations.

The states that continually top the charts according to pest control companies include the following:

  • Cincinnati
  • New York City
  • Chicago
  • Detroit
  • Washington DC
  • Columbus, OH
  • San Francisco

These findings are based on the number of treatments that have been needed in these locations.

A Growing Problem in Louisiana

Even though we aren’t high on the “worst” list, Louisiana is not exempt from bed bug infestations, and these problems are becoming more common across the world, Louisiana included. At Dugas Pest Control, we work solely with Louisiana residents, so we’ve seen our fair share of bed bug infestations, even if they still fall under the radar compared to cities like New York City and Chicago. Nevertheless, all bed bug infestations are the same: difficult to get rid of.

Louisiana’s warm, sub-tropical climate is always favorable to bug species, and with large cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge where many people travel to, there is always a risk of bed bugs. Although we don’t want to it to happen, we expect to see more cases of infestations over time. In 2010, the bed bug problem started creeping toward our state. This same year, there were 16 LA hotels that had complaints against them for bed bugs.

So when asked the question of whether or not Louisiana will be as badly affected by bed bugs as large cities like Boston or Cincinnati one day, we can only assume that it’s a strong possibility.

Your fear of bugs may actually be entomophobia

Dugas Pest Control provides spider extermination services to control spider infestations inside homes When you see a bug is your reaction worse than simply being “grossed out”?  Many people have strong reactions to seeing a bug, even if the bug in question is not harmful or near them.  Let’s find out why.

Entomophobia is fear or aversion to insects and can also be referred to as insect phobia. When an individual with entomophobia comes into contact with an insect, they have a slight to a severe emotional reaction that includes anxiety or panic. Let’s take a closer look at this unique phobia, what the signs and symptoms are, and if there is anything that can be done to change the attitude the individual has toward insects.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Entomophobia Include:

–      Feeling of panic
–      Feeling of terror
–      Feeling of dread
–      Rapid heartbeat
–      Shortness of breath
–      Trembling
–      Anxiety
–      Uncontrollable crying
–      The need to leave the area

Diagnosis

Because the symptoms associated with entomophobia are related to other phobias, it takes an experienced, certified healthcare professional to reach a diagnosis. Generally, a psychologist or therapist will meet with the patient, show him or her photographs of insects and record what responses occur. These professionals will look to see what exactly is triggering the strong emotion: crawling objects or the insects themselves.

Treatment

Entomophobia is treated in the same manner as other phobias. Ongoing therapy and counseling are provided for the patient, along with the adequate medications. Often times, there is an underlying reason for the phobia, so this will hopefully be addressed during the therapy sessions. The insects will be introduced slowly to the patient so that he or she can eventually overcome the phobia to insects.

Interesting Facts

Many times, people associate aversion with phobia. Yet these two terms are not synonymous. It is innate that humans are turned off from insects; we know this firsthand. A phobia, however, is what causes the immense fear and irrational behavior. Sometimes if the aversion is strong enough, it can turn into a phobia over time. The most notable cases of entomophobia have been with bees and ants. Industrialized countries are more likely to suffer from extreme phobias or aversions to insects because they are not used to insect infestations as in underdeveloped countries.

3 steps to controlling bed bugs

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs have nothing to do with personal hygiene. Even if you maintain perfectly clean bedding habits, you can still have bed bugs living and breeding in your sheets, clothes, dressers and even the walls of your house!

Many people are unaware that bed bugs can survive in furniture, clothing, carpets and other household places, so it is important to learn how to correctly identify an infestation and get control of a bed bug problem. Additionally, bed bugs are prolific bugs and are able to spread quickly, so identifying them quickly is the key to removing them from your home.

As bed bugs primary food source are people, let’s find out how to correctly identify bed bugs and look at the best ways to remove them from your home before you become their next meal.

 

Step 1: Identify bed bugs food sources

Bed bugs are tiny, microscopic bugs which make them very difficult to see or detect with the naked eye. However, you can look for signs of their existence in your environment by checking bedding and pajamas for specs of blood or bumps on your body.

Occasionally, you might have an allergic reaction to the bed bugs and may notice small bumps or bites on your body which may include a mild irritation. If you notice blood, or bites, on your body or bedding you should immediately contact a pest control professional such as Dugas Pest Control to confirm and eradicate the bed bug problem before they populate inside your home and become out of control. Spotting or specs of blood is the number one sign you have bed bugs in your home.

 

Step 2: Listen to family members

If you are concerned you have bed bugs living in your home – listening to family members might be able to help you identify the location of the bed bugs. If complaints of bites or discomfort while sleeping come from certain bedrooms or after spending time in areas of the house commonly frequented, check family members and the immediate area for signs of bed bugs existence.

You can do this by routinely monitoring laundry for specs of blood or checking younger children who may have small bumps or bites on their body or pajamas. By listening to offhand comments you might be able to catch the first sign of an infestation and be able to remove the bed bugs before any damage is done.

 

Step 3: Call Dugas Pest Control for an assessment

If you do suspect you have bed bugs – the first step is to bag any clothes or bedding which you suspect may be contaminated to prevent the bed bugs from traveling and contaminating other parts of your home.

Your second step is to skip the “DIY” bed bug control products and call Dugas Pest Control. We will be able to tell you immediately if you have a bed bug infestation and how best to deal with the bed bugs once they arrive.

If you are concerned you have bed bugs it is urgent that you call as soon as possible because of the bed bugs rapid reproduction cycle. By calling immediately you can help prevent further contamination.