As a kid, you may remember being tucked into bed and hearing the words, “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.” This phrase could have gone one of two ways; either you thought nothing of it and went into a sweet slumber or you were terrified wondering if you were the bed bugs’ next victim. The truth is, bed bugs are becoming increasingly more common than you think.
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These pesky blood suckers have been around for millennia and we have recently seen an uptick in infestations nationally. Bed bugs are drawn by body heat, carbon dioxide, and some body odors and take a meal every 3-7 days which is why they hide, rest, and breed near their host. The reason they are challenging to deal with is because they double their population every 18 days or so.
Identifying a Bed Bug Infestation
Typically, if you haven’t already noticed the bites on you, the first sign you will notice with bed bugs is blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases and dark rusty spots of bed bug excrement on the sheets and mattress. These signs are key to identifying the insect as a bedbug and not a look alike insect. Depending on the severity of the bedbug infestation, it is unlikely that you will see the actual apple seed shaped bug because they hide during the day and feed during the night.
Now that you have identified them, you might start to wonder, “where do bedbugs come from?” or “How did I get bed bugs? The answer may surprise you. Bedbugs are hitch hikers. You can pick them up from infested areas or used furniture and bring them home on clothing, luggage, purses, backpacks, or other soft upholstered surfaces. The caveat is that if you live in an apartment complex, they do have the ability to travel between rooms.
Do’s and Don’ts of Bed Bug Control
This situation is not fun for anyone but the first step in treating bed bugs is not to panic. Bed bugs happen and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. A few key things to keep in mind are:
- Don’t rush to throw away all your belongings, most items can be treated. If you do need to dispose of anything, we can help you make that determination. You make the problem worse by spreading the infestation throughout the house.
- Don’t go to your local hardware store and buy whatever pesticide they have on the shelf. Most often these products can do more harm than good.
- Don’t sleep in another room to avoid bed bug bites. They will just follow you and your infestation will spread to other rooms of the house. They are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale. If they are hungry, they will find you.
- Do: Declutter your home as much as possible, preventing harborage areas. Inspect items carefully as you remove them. Remove items from underneath your bed and away from the walls. This makes inspection and treatment more effective.
- Do: Protect your bed with a mattress encasement. We have them available for purchase, if needed. Or you can buy them from a local supplier.
- Do: Use a vacuum. Vacuuming is one of the most effective ways of removing bed bugs. Vacuum frequently – especially in areas where bed bugs are known to hide. Immediately dispose of any contents of the vacuum and clean if possible.
We have extensive knowledge and training when it comes to eradicating bed bug populations and want you to rest easy knowing you are in good hands. With several different options and pest management plans, we have the capability to make you feel at ease. Our job is to take care of the pest so you don’t have to and can finally sleep tight.
