BED BUG CONTROL
Bed bugs are troublesome household pests. They’re sneaky, hard to find, and can pose potential health risks for you and your family. This pest is a menace that can ravage your home or place of business and make your day-to-day life uncomfortable. Bed bugs like to make their homes in mattresses, clothing, carpeting, pillows, chairs, electrical outlets, and behind picture frames.
Not sure if you have a bed bug problem? Or maybe you want to learn more about how bed bug control works. Check out the following information to clarify some questions you may have.
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- How did I get bed bugs in my home?
- Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
- Do bed bugs have a color preference?
- What’s the difference between bed bug and bat bug bites?
- How can I prevent bringing bed bugs from vacation?
- How much does a bed bug treatment cost?
- How does E&G exterminators treat a bed bug infestation?
- How do I identify a bed bug problem?
- What should I do if I have bed bugs?
- Can cleaning companies get rid of bed bugs?
- Do bed bugs live in the winter?
- How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?
- How do I prepare my home for a bed bug treatment?
How did I get bed bugs in my home?
Bed bug infestations spread when a person comes into contact with bed bugs and unknowingly brings them somewhere else. They are transported as stowaways, hiding in luggage, couches, beds, pillows, or backpacks to name a few. Bed bugs cling to moving items like briefcases and can easily fall off, allowing them to relocate and spread. It’s also a common occurrence that bed bugs lay eggs on these items. As the host moves, they can fall off and hatch far away from where they originally came from.
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
Bed bugs are not a pest that you should try to control on your own. Attempting to resolve this issue yourself as improper treatment could spread the problem throughout and increase costs to eliminate the problem. If you live in an apartment complex and suspect you have bed bugs you should immediately contact your landlord so they can notify their pest control services provider.
You should AVOID discarding bedding and mattresses. This is not a solution and can spread the infestation throughout the house, and any new furniture can quickly become infested.
Use a vacuum but that has a crack and crevice attachment to remove bugs from the mattress, box spring, and bed frame. As soon as you are done, the vacuum bag should be sealed in a plastic garbage bag and disposed of in an outdoor trash receptacle.
It is highly recommended that residents also purchase bed bug proof encasements that can be used to encase both the mattress and box spring in order to salvage beds that are infested. Once encased, any bed bugs that were not removed by the vacuum will become trapped inside where they will starve and eventually die.
Do bed bugs have a color preference?
New research is constantly being conducted to find out more about these parasites that are infesting cities across the country. A study performed by the researchers at the University of Florida and Union College in Lincoln, Neb., wanted to explore if bed bugs had a color preference for their hiding places.
According to the study, the researchers created small tent-like harborages made from different colored card stock and placed them in Petri dishes. A bed bug was then placed within the dishes and had approximately 10 minutes to choose one of the colored harborages. Results of the study showed that bed bugs strongly preferred red or black colors versus colors like yellow or green.
What’s the difference between bed bug and bat bug bites?
Bed bugs and bat bugs look almost identical in body shape and color, but the key difference is the bat bug’s hair length is longer on the upper covering of their thorax. It is very difficult to see this without the use of a microscope, so it is highly recommended that a trained professional makes the determination between bugs.
Another key difference between bat bugs and bed bugs is their location.
How can I prevent bringing bed bugs from vacation?
In a survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 75% of pest control professionals indicated that they have encountered infestations of bed bugs in hotels and motels. The following are some tips recommended by the NPMA to prevent bed bugs when traveling:
- At hotels, pull back the sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. If you see anything suspicious, notify management and change rooms/establishments immediately.
- Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs. If any pests are spotted, change rooms/ establishments immediately.
- If you need to change rooms, be sure that you do not move to a room adjacent and/or directly above/below the suspected infestation. Bed bugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage and even through wall sockets. If the infestation is spreading, it typically does so in the rooms closest to the origin.
- Consider placing your suitcase in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of your trip to ensure that bed bugs cannot take up residence there prior to departure
- Remember: bed bugs travel by hitching rides. After your trip, inspect your suitcases before bringing them into the house. Vacuum your suitcase thoroughly before storing away. Consider using a garment hand steamer to steam your luggage, which will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride home.
- Wash all of your clothes – even those that have not been worn – in hot water to ensure that any bed bugs that may have made it that far are not placed into your drawers/closet.
How much does a bed bug treatment cost?
Unfortunately, bed bugs can often be difficult to detect and once you do recognize they are there, they can be even more difficult to get rid of. This is one of the few pests that you definitely want to hire a professional to address because trying to treat it on your own is rarely successful and may result in spreading the bugs throughout your home. Pricing depends mainly on the level of infestation in your home.
If you suspect a bed bug problem in your home, please do not hesitate to call E&G Exterminators or fill out our form to schedule a FREE ESTIMATE.
How does E&G exterminators treat a bed bug infestation?
A bed bug infestation is incredibly difficult to get rid of, and it is almost impossible to accomplish without the help of a professional. Since bed bugs are capable of going months at a time without eating, it can be hard to tell if you have truly eliminated the problem without confirmation from an expert. Leaving your home or sleeping somewhere other than your bed will not get rid of bed bugs and often will cause them to spread to new areas.
E&G Exterminators is equipped to carry out every step of the bed bug elimination process from proactive measures, to treating with pesticides and steam. E&G Pest Solutions’ highly skilled representatives and technicians will inspect your home for signs of a bed bug infestation and determine the severity of the infestation. Treatment will be carried out according to the needs of your particular situation.
How do I identify a bed bug problem?
The most reliable way to confirm you have bed bugs is to contact E&G Exterminators to do a thorough inspection and check for signs of active bed bugs. However, there are some warning signs that you may have an infestation:
- Going to bed and waking with bites, welts, or rashes. Bite marks may appear in rows and clusters.
- Dark spotting or blood droplets on mattresses or bedding. These are waste products bed bugs excrete while digesting a blood meal.
- Visible observation of eggs, molted insect skin, or the insect. The failure to locate an insect does not indicate they are not present. Adult bed bugs are difficult to locate, and immature bed bugs can be difficult to see due to their size.
What should I do if I have bed bugs?
Upon discovering an infestation, immediately contact E&G Exterminators to evaluate your problem. You should AVOID discarding bedding and mattresses as this can spread the infestation throughout the house and new furniture can quickly become infested. Also, AVOID attempting to resolve the issue yourself as improper treatment could spread the problem throughout and increase costs to eliminate the pest.
Can cleaning companies get rid of bed bugs?
Several companies provide cleaning services for bed bug infestations. The services of the cleaning company are contracted by a homeowner or a pest control company before the arrival of a professional bed bug removal company (in most cases). A common misconception by some homeowners who suspect bed bugs is that these companies can get rid of active bed bugs without chemicals (or a pest control professional), and can simply clean out the bed bugs with their cleanup services.
The shortcomings of the bed bug cleaning service include vacuuming and putting linens into the dryer on high heat. While this will get rid of visible bed bugs, it still does not address the main areas where they live and breed. Another issue with cleaning companies is that they often unknowingly mishandle linens. Shaking them or flinging them onto the floor can move the bed bugs and cause the infestation to relocate or even spread.
The approach that most professional bed bug cleaning companies take is not to get rid of bed bugs, but instead, to prepare your bedroom for professional bed bug pest control. While reducing clutter, vacuuming the room, and putting pillows and bed sheets into a dryer on high heat can help with bed bug infestations, it’s not a substitute for professional bed bug pest control. Some people reach out to cleaning companies in hopes of avoiding treatments from pest control companies which can be pricey (depending on the severity of the infestation) and also trying to avoid pesticides (something we will go into later.) Unfortunately, there is no “quick fix” or shortcut when it comes to effective bed bug elimination.
Do bed bugs live in the winter?
Bed bugs begin to die at temperatures below 0°F. Exposure to this temperature has to be consistent for at least 4 days to kill off these adaptable pests. It’s not something that typically is achievable without a professional bed bug freezing control program from a reputable pest control company. Throwing your mattress or suitcase outdoors in the winter will not do the trick. The heat from direct sunlight and moisture that is naturally in the air won’t allow bed bugs to truly reach a freezing point. Opening up the windows to your house on an especially cold January day won’t help either.
Bed bugs do not hibernate. As a form of preservation, when faced with freezing temperatures, bed bugs can go into what’s called “diapause.” During this suspended state, bed bugs are more dormant than anything, preserving energy and halting development until conditions become livable again. Bed bugs do not live in colonies outdoors, so they usually don’t have to deal with extreme cold. Because they feed off of live, warm-blooded hosts that live indoors at comfortable temperatures, diapause is possible, but not something that’s frequently utilized or needed.
How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?
Chemical and heat treatments can be used as a way to control and eliminate bed bugs in residential settings. There isn’t a one-size fits all solution with a bed bug infestation, the amount of time that it will take to see full results vary by the method used and the size of the infestation.
E&G Exterminators also offer Canine inspections for early detection and prevention of bed bugs.
Dylan – E&G K9 inspector
How do I prepare my home for a bed bug treatment?
In order for E&G Exterminators Inc. to provide a proper bed bug treatment, there are a few things that we need you to do prior to treatment. These preparations are crucial to your treatment; however, we try to keep these preparations to a minimum.
- Empty and clear off the tops of all dressers, nightstands, vanities, and other furniture. We will need to treat the inside and bottoms.
- Reduce Clutter. Belongings strewn about rooms and closets allow many places for bed bugs to hide, and hinders inspections and treatment
- Remove all bedding (pillows, sheets, blankets, dust ruffles, etc.) and separate box springs and mattresses. Upon removal immediately place these items in a sealed plastic bag
- Remove all pets from the property including birds, dogs, cats, small animals, etc. Wrap fish tanks with plastic wrap and turn off air filters.
- Do not store any items under the beds. This can give the bed bugs extra places to hide and any personal items cannot be treated with a pesticide.
- Do not throw away any infested furniture or beds without taking proper precautions.
- Do not bring new furniture into the home prior to full bed bug control. Bed Bus spread easily and breeds quickly. Any new furniture would likely end up infested.
- Do not take personal items with you if you are going to sleep in a different place. Bed bugs can hide undetected in any crevice and are transferred very easily.
You can also download our preparation sheet by clicking here.
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WHAT WILL WE DO?
Our bed bug control process typically consists of the following stages:
- Confirm or discard the existence of bed bugs on the premises through an inspection
- Identify the factors that may be causing and contributing to the infestation
- Offer pest control programs to get the problem under control
- Treat the existing bed bug population and prevent future infestations
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