How To Get Rid of a Bed Bug Problem
Bed bugs stay out of sight during the day by hiding in places rather close to their nightly blood meal, you. Bed bugs do not fly so they remain near their food source. If you discover new bites on yourself or family members in places that are usually exposed during sleep, or see red or brown spots on your sheets, there is a good chance that you have a bed bug problem on your hands. Bed bugs can be especially hard to get rid of and every day you put off calling a professional, your bed bug infestation will grow exponentially.
How they travel
Unlike ticks, bed bugs bite at night while you are sleeping and do not travel by staying attached to their hosts. But bugs can climb in purses, luggage, and coats. Bed bugs do not only infest beds, as their name implies. Any soft or upholstered surface like carpet or cushions in public places like airports, cabs, and waiting rooms create the perfect nesting places for bed bugs to wait until they can be carried to a new location.
Eliminating bed bugs
Bed bugs can be pretty tricky to eradicate from your home. Not only are they small, and good at hiding during the day, they can be in a number of areas throughout your home and even in your neighbors’ homes. Everyone needs to be committed to getting rid of bed bugs for it to be successful.
- Gather and treat infected items
- Thoroughly search for infested hotspots like bedding, mattresses, couch cushion, etc
- Frequent Vacuuming
- Steam cleaning areas that can not be vacuumed with heat greater than 130 degrees
- Wash all bedding in hot water and drying on high heat
- Call a professional pest control company
It goes without saying that once you see a bed bug, you can assume there is a substantial infestation in your home. Each female laying up to five eggs a day can quickly turn into a major problem. Calling in a knowledgeable pest control company who knows how to safely treat your home without chemicals is the best way to give you guaranteed results and reduce the stress of knowing bed bugs are in your home.
Prevention
Taking extra precautions when coming home from a vacation or holiday gatherings where the possibility of picking up these nasty little critters is a good way to ensure they do not re-infest your home.
- Changing clothes and washing them before you sit down
- Setting your luggage down on a hard surface to be inspected and steam cleaned
- Vacuum frequently
- Regularly wash your bedding
- Re-checking for bed bugs often
When you realize you have bed bugs, do not hesitate to call a professional pest control company to treat your home and prevent bed bugs from returning. A bed bug problem can quickly increase, causing your home to become a bug-ridden, stressful, unhealthy environment. Give Environmentally Considered Pest Control, or ECPC, a call today to get the highest quality bed bug treatment so your family can get the rest they need in peace.