Much discussion has been devoted to the subject of bed bugs for the past several years. This has brought to surface a sense of awareness, albeit a vague one, of the existence and fears of bed bug invasions. Knowledge of the pesky bed bug is often limited to bare, basic facts. Number one, they feed on humans while they are sleeping, causing itchy red bumps. Secondly, they are extremely hard to eradicate.
Myths and Misconceptions
While these basic points are both true, there are other myths and misconceptions about the bed bug. One of the greatest misconceptions is that the general population, and even business owners, thinks that hotels and motels are the only place where bed bugs thrive, multiply and attack. Wrong! Bed bugs can and will live anywhere. They are found in residential homes, apartment complexes, office buildings, dormitories, retail stores, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, all types of public transportation and just about anyplace humans frequent.
What Business Owners Should Know
Business owners should also be aware that the intelligent quotient of bed bugs is very high. This gives them an incredible ability to survive and allows them to be extremely elusive. The fact that they are nocturnal also aids in their survival instincts. Bed bugs are not normally seen during the day; instead, they retreat to the crevices of mattresses, behind baseboard and door trim, inside wall receptacles and even behind wallpaper.
Bed bugs are proficient in the art of hitchhiking. They can come into your establishment by hitching a ride on someone’s clothing, inside luggage or any other means of transportation. 
Once inside your building, the bed bug has the ability to survive in a dormant status for several months, without eating. During this time of dormancy, they are able to survive a wide range of temperatures. However, once they come close to a human host, they awaken and a massive population explosion takes place.
Another important fact to note is that bed bugs exist in all 50 states. Their infestation does not require a presence of heavy human population. The bed bug does very well in environments ranging from crowded cities to small country stores.
What To Do
These facts alone are enough to motivate all business owners to protect their commercial properties from the invasion of bed bugs. The negative effects of bed bug infestation can be devastating to commercial establishments and should not be approached with a DIY mentality. Every business owner should be encouraged to implement a bed bug control program with your local pest management company. Copesan pest management companies are located throughout the United States and proficient to the needs of each geographic location. Contact your local Copesan representative today and set up a pest management program to protect your company against bed bugs and other invasive pests.
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