The public perception of bed bugs
by Miranda Gross
December 8, 2019
I was sitting in my truck the other day, thinking about the public perception of people who have abed bug infestations. Unfortunately, far too many people believe you did something to deserve bed bugs or that you’re a filthy person. With bed bugs, that’s just not the case.
Like many insects, bed bugs are attracted to you because you provide a food source. Unlike other insects who closely share our environment, the only thing you have done to attract bed bugs is to be their food source. You can get bed bugs in only two ways:
- you picked them up somewhere
- someone brought them into your home
Bed bugs won’t sneak into your home around a water pipe. They won’t creep in through an open window. They came from somewhere else that already had bed bugs.
Insect stigmas
Cockroaches are attracted to food scraps and societal waste. As the weather grows colder, they move indoors for warmth, and often stay for the food. They seek it out in cupboards, under refrigerators, in pantries. In almost all cases, a big cockroach infestation is a sign of a lack of cleanliness.
Our society associates insects with a lack of sanitation... even when there is no scientific basis for causation.
We don’t shame or avoid someone because they “have mosquitoes”, even though mosquitoes transmit several nasty diseases. In many parts of the country, we do just that to people who find themselves in the unfortunate position of having bed bugs sharing their living spaces.
Moths can eat our clothes and are very much attracted to our living spaces, especially our closets. I’ve never heard of people refusing to visit because they’re afraid they might bring home moths.
Termites are a very destructive insect and can quite literally wreck a home. In all my years in the business, we’ve not experienced a situation where people refused to visit just because friends or relatives might have termites!
While we can’t single-handedly eliminate the public stigma of having bed bugs, we can eliminate the bed bugs. And we do it in just one day.
Don’t let bed bugs ruin your holidays... or any day for that matter! If you find a bed bug this holiday season, don’t panic! Give us a call at 405-698-6090 and we’ll kill the bed bugs, and keep your family and reputation safe. Trust Armor & Shield to eliminate the the fear and frustration of bed bugs. Your life will be less stressful. When we’re done, we know all your bed bugs will be dead. Problem solved.
Don’t take our word for it
I fought bed beds for over a couple of years trying everything I could find and no luck. I came across an ad for Armor & Shields. They responded very quickly. After one day and they are gone. There was no smell. I recommend them to anyone who is tired of these pests. My home is now my home.
Pattie Farmer
5 Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
May 13, 2021
