Do I Have Bed Bugs?

Bed Bugs are one of the most notorious bugs we deal with on a regular basis, and if left unchecked, they can turn into a full-blown infestation before you know it! But, how do you know if you’ve got them? Well there are a couple key signs we encourage people to look for…

• Dark-blotchy stains on your mattress or sheets – These stains are actually bed bug feces and are one of the most important signs to look for if you think have a bed bug problem.

• Small, red, and itchy bumps on your body – These bumps will typically appear in clusters or in a line and are a result of bed bugs feeding on you while you                 sleep.

•  Live Bed Bugs or Bed Bug Molts – The most obvious sign is if you see bed bugs or their molts with your own eyes. The best places to look are along the seams and corners of your mattress as well as along the headboards.

What Can I Do About It?

Thankfully, modern bed bug treatments are highly effective at getting rid of these pests. Additionally, there are a couple different options you have to choose from depending on the severity of the infestation.

• Heat Treatment – For complete bed bug eradication we recommend a heat treatment. Heat treatments involve using special equipment to heat up a house to above 120 degrees fahrenheit. This is because bed bugs cannot survive when exposed to temperatures above that threshold. For more information on heat treatments and their effectiveness, here is an article from the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology.

• Spray Treatment – For minor or localized bed bugs, a spray treatment is a cheaper and highly effective way to get rid of these little blood suckers. This treatment typically involves professionally treating the mattress and surrounding area with bed bug specific pesticides. Post treatment we recommend staying off the mattress for at least 24 hours.
• Steam Treatment – Bed bug steam treatments are another great option for localized bed bug issues. These treatments excel in permeating every crack and crevice on a mattress to totally rid the area of bed bugs.

  

• Bed Bug Cover – Bed bug covers are inexpensive and are placed around a mattress to ensure bed bugs can’t feed on you while you sleep. However, while they are effective as a short-term solution, any bed bugs that were not trapped inside the cover can still feed and reproduce.