About Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects with piercing/sucking mouthparts that feed on blood. They are the most feared home invader due to the difficulty of eradicating an infestation.
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish brown insects (4-5mm) that are smaller than an Appleseed. They can reproduce at alarming rates and infest an unsuspecting home quickly, especially homes where the family travels a lot. Characteristics of the bed bug:
- 4-5mm – smaller than an apple seed.
- Piercing/sucking mouthparts.
- Slow moving, nocturnal and hide in small crevices during the day.
- Active at night, feeding on exposed skin while you sleep.
How Did They Get Into My Home?
- Attached to luggage (hiding in cracks & crevice’s).
- Living in used or pre-owned furniture, clothing, bags or luggage.
- They can transfer to your bedding and clothing in shared laundry services.
- In condominiums or multi unit structures, bed bugs can travel via walls, outlets or pipes.
How Do I Know if I Have an Infestation?
- Bites on your body – small, red irritated welts on the skin often in a cluster.
- Fecal matter – tiny dark spots on bedding, mattress or furniture
- Small clear or pale shells from molting exoskeleton.
- Blood stains on sheets, bedding or pillowcases from rolling over and smashing them when sleeping.
- You may actually see them in your bed at night or early morning, under sheets, in corners, or in the bed.
Prevention Tips
1. When Traveling
- Inspect hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs, especially the mattress, headboard, and bedding.
- Keep luggage off the floor and bed; use luggage racks.
- Wash and dry all clothing on high heat for 30 minutes immediately after returning from a trip.
2. When at Home
- Employ a regular general pest program with a pro.
- Keep rooms clean and free from clutter.
- Check used furniture, or mattresses before bringing them indoors.
- Wash used clothing before bringing them into the home.
- Install bug proof covers on your mattress and box springs.
- Seal cracks in walls, baseboards and furniture to limit hiding spots.
- Vacuum deep in couch crevice’s to keep them clean.
3. Laundry
- Wash and dry bedding, curtains, and clothing on high heat frequently.
4. Monitoring
- Place bed bug interceptors or monitoring stations under bed legs to detect infestations.
- Periodically check under your mattress, in seams, bed frame and headboard.
5. Awareness & Taking Care
- Inspect laundromat areas and check your belongings after visiting public places (i.e. movie theaters).
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs If You Have Them
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Super Cleaning – Wash and dry all sheets, curtains and clothes on highest setting. Vacuum carpets, mattresses, inside couches, bed frames and furniture and dispose of vacuum bag daily.
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Protection – Enclose mattress and box spring in bug proof cover (after vacuuming & treating). Keep bed away from walls, remove bed skirt where they love to hide.
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Direct treatment – Call Proudfit Pest Control to administer insecticides in a cautious, prescribed and legal way.
Non-Chemical Methods:
- Heating Treatment: Steam clean cracks, furniture, & mattresses. Place clothes in drier for 30 minutes.
- Cooling Method: Put affected items (if they can fit) in a freezer at negative four degrees for 5 days.
- Professional Extermination: Call Proudfit Pest Control for professional inspection, plan & estimate. Effective results will require customer effort & participation for 100% success.
Why are Bed Bugs So Hard to Eliminate?
- Resistant to Insecticides: Some populations have developed resistance to common chemicals.
- Small and Sneaky: Bed bugs can hide in the tiniest crevices, making them hard to detect and treat.
- Rapid Reproduction: Females lay 5–7 eggs per day, leading to large infestations quickly.
By staying vigilant and adopting preventive measures, you can minimize the risk of bed bugs in your home and address any issues before they become severe.
