Pests can be a major nuisance, and if left unchecked, they can even pose a threat to your health. Unfortunately, pests can also find their way into your mattress, where they can thrive and multiply. One such pest most commonly found in mattresses is bed bugs – little, reddish-brown, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. These bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are attracted to warmth and the carbon dioxide that humans and animals exhale. Hence, keeping bed bugs at bay is key to ensuring that they do not leave small, red bumps on the skin, which may be accompanied by itching and irritation.
As mattresses provide a warm and protected environment for insects to live and breed, the mattress can also be a sanctuary for several creatures other than bed bugs. These insects can feast on dead skin cells and dried remnants of saliva, sweat, blood, and other bodily fluids. Not only do they have the potential to interrupt your sleep, but their bites can also cause you to experience a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as itching, irritation, pain, redness, and swelling around the area of the bite.
Here are four pests that could potentially live on your mattress, excluding bed bugs;
1. Dust mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. They can be found in many places throughout the house but thrive in warm and humid environments, such as carpets, curtains, upholstered furniture, and mattresses. These small insects are scavengers, so they do not directly feed on humans, unlike bed bugs. Nonetheless, they feed on dead skin cells, pollen, pet dander, and bacteria. Although their presence does not usually affect humans, the droppings of dust mites may sometimes accumulate enough to cause allergies and asthma.
2. Ticks
Ticks do not always come to mind when talking about pests that could crawl into one’s bed. However, waking up in the morning with a tick or two crawling on your bed is possible. These tiny insects will feed off their hosts, including livestock animals, household pets, and humans. Once they are done feeding, ticks will usually fall off their host and leave behind a bite that looks like a bullseye. In some cases, ticks can also spread serious diseases like Lyme disease.
3. German cockroach nymphs
Oftentimes, German cockroach nymphs are confused with bed bugs because they share a couple of similarities. Apart from being elusive, these two insects are both most active at night and live in harborages. That said, what differentiates these two insects is that cockroaches do not feed on humans and are often found near water sources and food. Nonetheless, it is still possible to spot them in your bedroom, especially if they have already established a nest therein.
4. Fleas
Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They are commonly found on pets but can also find their way into your mattress, where they can lay eggs and reproduce. And if you fail to wash and change your bedding regularly, these fleas can reside in your bed permanently and feed on you or your precious pet. From there, they can then spread quickly all over your house, specifically on your carpets and cushions.
Conclusion
To prevent these pests from taking up residence in your mattress, it’s important to keep your bedroom clean and free of clutter. Regularly vacuuming and washing your bedding can also help to eliminate any potential pests. If you do notice any signs of pests in your mattress, it’s essential to take action immediately to prevent the infestation from getting worse. Engaging the services of professional pest control in Singapore can help to ensure that the pests are eliminated with a zero to low chance of returning.
If you are in search of the most effective and comprehensive pest control services in town, PestClinic is here to help you! We offer reliable and affordable solutions to a variety of infestations and pest problems you may have, including bed bugs, flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ants, and more. Particularly, our termite control and termite inspection in Singapore are among the most trusted termite solutions you can find out there. For more information about our services, do not hesitate to give us a call.