Bed bugs have largely been thought of as being a problem of the past. Unfortunately, we are now experiencing a widespread recurrence of bed bugs in the United States and abroad. The most significant factor that explains their return is the increase in international travel. Bed bugs easily get into clothing or luggage and are brought home. Even the finest hotels are not immune. While hotels and motels were some of the early areas identified where infestations occur, it has since spread to almost every type of dwelling. Some notable instances include prominent retail stores, apartment complexes, public transportation, airports, movie theaters, and hospitals. Bedbugs know no social or economic bounds and can readily infest any structure.
There are different species of bed bugs, all of which have different feeding preferences. Some prefer human blood while others prefer bats and birds. Bed Bugs primarily reside in their host’s nests or nesting areas, i.e. bedroom.
A bed bug does not actually live under your skin, but will simply drink a few drops of blood while you are sleeping. A bed bug’s bite is not usually painful and is NOT known to transmit any diseases, but you may get a secondary infection from scratching the wound. Bed Bug bites often cause redness and some swelling.
Bed Bug Identification
The bed bug has a flat oval shaped body measuring approximately 3/8“ long and are visible to the naked eye. Before it takes a blood meal it is brown and flat. Once it takes a blood meal, it turns dark red and its body elongates to accommodate the blood. Amazingly, they are able to go without food for as long as a year. After getting their fill of blood, the females will lay eggs in batches of up to 200 at a time.
The infestation usually starts in and around the bed. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the mattress tufts, seams and around the mattress buttons. As the infestation grows, the bed bugs venture out and can be found in the headboard and side tables. You will see dark red and brown spots on the mattress and on the linens, but to know if the infestation is currently active, you will need to find at least one live crawling insect. The sweet musty smell may not be present until the infestation becomes intense.
If you suspect that you may have a bed bug infestation, collect any live specimens that are found. Early identification and treatment are crucial to ensuring an infestation is eliminated. Having a specimen available that can be immediately identified can speed up the entire process of treatment.
Unfortunately, you can be re-infested by any guests with bed bugs on their clothes or in their suitcases. Our service specialists will show you how to recognize the infestation and where to look for the early warning signs so you are able to address it early.
They do not discriminate based on one’s social status or the cleanliness of home.
People may react differently to bed bug bites with some having limited reaction and others having extensive itchy hives. Since this is such a difficult pest, only a trained professional should perform bed bug service work.
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Bed bug infestations can be extremely messy with dark red blood stains and brown fecal stains on mattresses, bed linens and even on the walls. Smell is another unpleasant side effect of the infestation, the odor emitted from the insect’s scent gland gives off a sweet and musty smell.
While many bed bugs hide in mattresses, some may also hide in a sofa or chair, or behind wallpaper or pictures. Thoroughness is the only real way to get rid of Bed Bugs. Every corner and crevice needs to be searched. As you might guess, this means that simply getting rid of an infected mattress or furniture will not completely solve the problem. Improperly disposing of furniture is one the most important ways that bed bugs are brought into homes.
Since their reappearance, researchers have found that the new Bed Bugs are much more resistant to chemicals that have previously been in use. Insecticides that are often used for roaches and similar insects are ineffective on Bed Bugs. Bed Bugs, in particular, require professional pest control management.
