Bed Bugs 101
Being told you have bed bugs just may be the worst possible news a homeowner can be told. They are notoriously difficult to get rid, and no home remedy is going to work. They absolutely must be taken care of by a residential pest control service. Here is what you need to know.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Adult bedbugs look very similar in shape in size to an apple seed. After feeding, they may look a bit larger and redder in color.
What Do Bed Bugs Eat?
Bedbugs live on blood. This is what makes them so horrifying. They are parasitically feeding on you, your children, and your pets whilst you sleep. If they do not have a blood source, they can continue to live for months until they get one, which is one of the reasons they are so difficult to get rid of.
Where Do Bed Bugs Live?
In addition to living in your mattresses and box springs, they will live in your upholstered furniture, behind the baseboards, and behind the electrical; outlet plates. Anywhere there is a crack they can get into. They hide out during the day and wait for their victims to go to sleep.
How Do You Know You Have Bed Bugs?
One of the first signs is you and your family waking up with obvious bites. The red welts tend to be in a line as the bed bugs will move along a vein, feeding as they go. Then, if you check the seams of your mattresses, you will see their defecation, which leaves brownish-black stains. You may occasionally see a drop of blood as well.
How Do You Avoid Getting Bed Bugs?
Because they are so difficult to get rid of, they have become near-epidemic in some areas. You can bring them home from hotels or if you stay at someone else's home. They can also be brought into your home by buying used upholstered furniture and mattresses. While this may be a cheaper option to furnish your home, in the long run, it just isn't worth the risk.
How Are Bed Bugs Gotten Rid Of?
The pest control company will come and inspect your home. They will take a close look at you mattresses and try to determine just how bad the infestation is based on both the number of adults as well as eggs that are found. They will then develop a treatment plan that is right for you. All bedding and mattresses must be either thrown away, washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer, or, in the case of mattresses, sealed in a special bed bug bag that will suffocate them. More than one treatment will be required.