The insect world is full of bugs that terrify us, either by their look or the venom and pathogens they can carry. Be prepared to squirm at the thought of a giant tarantula, hordes of fire ants, and the Asian Murder Hornet. So how can it be that a tiny bug about the size of an apple seed can strike fear just by the mere mention of its name, the bed bug? It wouldn’t be surprising if you just now started scratching at bugs that aren’t there.

The mental toll they take on us may exceed the physical. The bites and rash will eventually heal, and the bed bugs will be eradicated. The mental anguish they can cause may not go away. Jerome Goddard, a medical entomologist at Mississippi State University, followed posts on bed bug-related websites, where the users wrote of their experiences. Goddard compared the posts to a list of PTSD symptoms and found that 81% of posters described emotional and psychological issues on the list like depression, obsessive thoughts, and paranoia.

So, it seems they have been tormenting humans since we took our first steps on earth. Archeologists found evidence of these creatures in caves in Oregon, dating back about 11,000 years. Before this discovery, specimens found in 3500-year-old Ancient Egyptian tombs were the oldest.

They have been thought to be the ultimate hitchhikers because they don’t jump or fly. For this reason, the increase in international travel has been regarded as a key factor in their reemergence. However, in a 2015 study, bed bugs were caught and marked. They were released in 6 apartments in a multi-unit dwelling, and along with the 24 units they were attached to, were watched for 32 days. In five of the six apartments, they found marked bed bugs in the adjoining apartments. I guess we can now add their travels to our list of worries.

Should you be the type to have a few drinks to calm your nerves, there may be an added benefit. Findings at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggested bed bugs prefer alcohol-free blood. As the blood alcohol level went up, the feeding went down. Now we aren’t suggesting adding drunkenness to the list of ways to prevent infestations, but, theoretically, that glass of wine at dinner can't hurt.

It is a common misconception that they will only bite us when we sleep. The truth is though if we stay still long enough, we are fair game. They can’t tell if we are awake or asleep. Unfortunately, the actual bite is painless, and in some people, no signs of a bite appear. In others, an adverse allergic reaction can occur.

In Muncie, Indiana and the surrounding area, the human population continues to rise and with that, so do the instances of bed bug infestations. Should you find yourself infested with this pest, call the number one rated bed bug exterminator in our area, Bug Off Pest Pros for help. We’ve been at this for years and have come to learn the favorite hiding spots for most bugs. Contact us today for a free estimate.