Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are making a comeback in the U.S. for several reasons. Some factors include increased international travel, increased popularity of thrift shops, yard sales, and buying used furniture. Also, the practice of using specific household pest control tactics, and crowded living conditions in certain apartment complexes and neighborhoods has added to the problem. Bed bugs have a secretive life style and can hide in any crack or crevice, going undetected for quite a while.

In addition, bed bug eggs are tiny (smaller than a pinhead) and hard to detect. In a heavy infestation, they can be practically anywhere. For these reasons, we suggest you contact a licensed pest management professional with plenty of bed bug experience. Adult bed bugs are brown, flat and about a 1/4 inch long, with a soft, rounded look. After a blood meal they are dark red, rounded and about 3/8 inch long. These pests usually come out at night or in darkened areas. Bed Bug’s small white eggs hatch into almost transparent nymphs that start feeding at the first opportunity and molt five times before becoming adults. Usually, all stages of bed bugs are present in an infestation. A temperature of 70-80°F is ideal for bed bug development. Bed bugs can live from months to over a year without feeding. At least three generations per year are possible with proper temperature and a food supply.

Bed bugs typically hide close to their hosts, however, they can travel up to 20 feet (sometimes more) to find one. When hiding places and hosts are few, they may be found almost anywhere– in the seams of mattresses, in bed springs, in cracks of floorboards, behind peeled wallpaper, in picture frames, in couches, stuffed chairs, clothing and even the seams of curtains; wherever a dark crack or crevice might be. Dark excrement spots of partially digested blood are often found where they rest. Cast skins will also be found, especially where infestations are heavy. Bed bugs usually feed at night, but when very hungry they are less likely to wait for darkness. Bed bugs inject a fluid into their host to help them get their blood meal. This fluid makes some people sensitive to bites, causing irritation, itching and inflammation. Other people can live with bed bugs and not be aware of their presence. In spite of their feeding habits, bed bugs are not known to carry diseases.

Preventing Bed Bugs:

Preventing bed bug infestations is the first step in management.

• Traveling – When traveling, always check your hotel room for bed bugs before you bring any suitcases, duffel bags, purses etc. into your room. Check the along the mattress and frame for tiny blood spots, check around the headboard and check around chair cushions.
• In Stores – When trying on clothes, hang the clothes on the hook instead of the upholstered bench in the changing room. Don’t wear the item without washing it or dry cleaning it (bedbugs can’t take any temperatures higher than 113 degrees).
• Second Hand Furniture – In Maine Uncle Henry’s is a way of life and many people use craigslist to buy used upholstered furniture and bedding. However, you should avoid buying anything that has upholstery/fabric – especially bedding items. If you have to have it, call us to inspect it before bringing it into your home.

The second step in proper management is to get proper identification. This can be done by saving a suspected bed bug in rubbing alcohol and calling Bug Busterzzz to inspect it. There are several methods used to monitor for bed bug activity, you will need to call Bug Busterzzz for an in-depth inspection. Control of bed bugs can be difficult, especially in homes that have many cracks and crevices, loose wallpaper, etc. Examine used bedding and beds before use. At least four actions should be considered to help with management.

Managing a possible Bed Bug Infestation:

• Vacuuming and de-cluttering. Vacuuming can eliminate some bed bugs when concentrated in a specific area. It also facilitates insecticide penetration of cracks and crevices. It is possible that the vacuum cleaner itself can become infested. So, discard vacuum bag contents right after use, in a sealed plastic bag and closely look over the vacuum and attachments for bed bugs and eggs. De-cluttering of objects laying on the floor and furniture eliminates potential hiding places (especially items stored under the bed).
• Mattress and box spring encasements. These can be used to salvage beds (or protect new beds) that may be infested. High quality bed bugproof encasements will seal in bed bugs, which eventually die, and keep additional bed bugs out.
• Laundering. Suspected infested clothing can be washed on the hot cycle and then put in the dryer at the high setting for 30 minutes. Other nonwashable objects can be put in the dryer at high for 30 minutes.
• Solarizing and freezing. Certain items can be placed in plastic bags and put in the sun or hot vehicle for a day to solarize them. The temperature inside should be above 120°F. Heat-sensitive objects may be placed in a freezer (temperature below 32°F) for several days.

Bed bug infestations are extremely difficult to manage. Over the counter products are not reliable in removing the infestation completely. Bug Busterzzz are licensed professionals and have the experience in dealing with Bed Bug infestations.

Bug Busterzzz Pest Control Heat Preparation Guide