Bed bugs in movie theaters? Is anything sacred? Apparently not, when it comes to these frustrating bugs. Let’s take a look at why movie theaters are becoming the new chomping ground for these blood-eating pests.
The common view of bed bugs is that they feed on us while we sleep–and only while we sleep. While it is true that bed bugs prefer to come out of hiding when carbon dioxide levels rise, and that this is usually when we’re sleeping deeply, they can come out at any time.
In fact, if we were to properly translate their scientific name, Cimex lectularius, we would more accurately call these pests “bed or couch bugs.” Bed bugs can feed on us when we are fully awake and relaxing on a couch, or any other furniture we sit on. And movie theaters have lots of seats.
There are other conditions present in a movie theater that promote the infestation of bed bugs. Since we mentioned carbon dioxide, let’s start with that one. When you fill a tiny room with a bunch of CO2 exhaling humans, the CO2 levels are going to rise. This may be one of the key reasons for the development of infestations.
It is also dark in a movie theater, and bed bugs prefer to move under the cloak of darkness. But, more than anything else, there is food in movie theaters. No, we’re not talking about popcorn and candy. Bed bugs eat blood. While you’re enjoying your concession food, those bed bugs may be enjoying you.
How do bed bugs get into movie theaters?
These insects hitch a ride on people who have an infestation in their home. And, just as they hitchhiked in, they can hitchhike right back out on you, inside your belongings–or they can lay eggs on your belongings.
Bed bug eggs do not need a mother to hatch once they get back to your home, so it is important to be on the lookout for tiny white eggs tucked away in seams, and to always wash and dry your clothing on the hottest temperature.
So, should you avoid going to the movies? Absolutely not. Don’t let those bed bugs control your life. Movie theaters are just one of many locations where bed bug infestations are being found. You can get them at a library, a retail store, a daycare, a retirement home, at work, at friends’ houses–do you see a trend here?
You’d have to become a shut-in to avoid bringing bed bugs into your home. And, even then, someone else could bring them in.
You don’t have to live in fear of bed bugs. When these pests appear in your home, give us a call at 215.799.2010 or fill out the form below and we will contact you. We have a wide range of options to quickly target and arrest bed bug infestations.