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What Bugs Feed on Human Blood? Blood Eating Bugs

Jun 15, 2022

Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are probably the most familiar of all the blood-sucking insects we must contend with. However, only the females are biters, and your blood provides the proteins they need to produce eggs. That itchy feeling you get after a bite is from the saliva she releases to prevent your blood from clotting while she feasts. Unfortunately, the same saliva exposes you to many diseases like Zika, malaria, and West Nile Virus.

Lice

Many different types of lice want access to your blood, but the body, head, and crab lice are the ones that cause the most problems for humans. You can identify the body and head lice because of their elongated shape, but crab lice will look more like a crab. 


These bugs can be quickly passed from one person to the next by sharing infested products. Head and crab lice prefer to lay their eggs in human hair and will be found on combs and brushes used on heads that have been infested. There is no doubt that they can be a real nuisance. Still, only the body lice carry infectious diseases like typhus or bacterial infections.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs have an uncanny way of hiding themselves in dark places in your home. They are called bedbugs because they usually prefer to hide in the seams of your mattress and wait until you go to bed at night before they come out to eat. They have been known to survive for months without a meal, but they will indulge in their new feast once a warm body is supplied. Their bites leave red, itchy sores behind, which can be highly uncomfortable. It isn't easy to get rid of bedbugs, and you may find that you will need to completely dispose of anything they have infested before you can be sure they are truly gone.

Ticks

There are also parasitic insects that will enjoy feasting on your blood. The tick can be a very serious pest to you and any pets you may have. Commonly known to transmit Lyme disease and other similar illnesses, these bugs literally burrow their heads underneath your skin, latch on, and gorge themselves. If left undisturbed, they can consume as much as 200 times their body weight before they fall off to lay their eggs.


Needless to say, if your home is being invaded by any one of these pests, it's time to call on a professional to help you get rid of them. They are, at the very least, an unpleasant annoyance. Still, they can also be carriers of many diseases that could put your life and family in danger.

Can Fleas Travel on Clothing?

15 Jun, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.

Are Bed Bugs Visible With the Naked Eye?

15 Jun, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.

Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?

15 Jun, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.

What Spring Bugs Should You be on The Lookout For?

15 Jun, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 

Are Spiders Active in Winter?

By YESpestpros • 15 Jun, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

How to Get Rid of Moths

By YESpestpros • 28 Feb, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

What Types of Ticks are Dangerous?

By YESpestpros • 15 Feb, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard

By YESpestpros • 30 Jan, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful?

By YESpestpros • 15 Jan, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

Is Pest Control Necessary In The Winter?

By YESpestpros • 31 Dec, 2021
One comforting thought that can get us through even the harshest winter is that bugs hate the cold. Many bugs seemingly vanish from the earth for months after the first freeze.  Does this mean we can ignore pest control during winter?  A great number of bugs do go dormant, die off, or seek shelter during […] The post Is Pest Control Necessary In The Winter? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
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