Bed bugs are small insects (about the size of an apple seed) with oval-shaped bodies and no wings. They usually come out and bite at night. It is possible for anyone, anywhere to experience a bed bug infestation, but bed bugs can be prevented and controlled. Find out more.
#1 Bed Bug Myth: You only get bed bugs if you live in a low income neighbourhood.
Bed bugs are an exposure pest and are not necessarily associated with living conditions. Bed bugs can happen to anyone, anywhere. You get bed bugs by coming into contact with them. Increasingly, people who frequently travel become exposed to bed bugs and bring them back home.
The Government of Ontario has produced this fact sheet that answers questions such as who is responsible when a bed bug infestation is discovered in an apartment, who pays for pest control costs, and what tenants should do if the landlord fails to take action.
The good news? Bed bugs do not spread disease among humans. Bed bug bites can get infected if you scratch them excessively, and some people can develop allergic sensitivities to bed bug infestations. The most significant health effects appear to be the psychological, including stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue that can be caused by the presence of bed bugs in the home.
