Bed Bug Exterminators Near You

If you see pests after a treatment, don’t panic. It’s normal to see some pests shortly after treatment as they are driven out of their hiding places by the pesticides. However, if you continue to see pests a week or two after the treatment, or if the numbers don’t seem to be decreasing, you should contact your pest control provider. They can assess the situation and determine if additional treatments are necessary.

Preventing a bed bug infestation when travelling requires proactive measures to minimize the risk of encountering and bringing these pests back home. Firstly, it is advisable to research and choose accommodations with a reputation for cleanliness and proactive pest control practices. Upon arrival, inspect the room thoroughly, focusing on the bed, mattress, and nearby furniture. Look for signs of bed bugs, such as live bugs, dark stains, or shed skins. If any signs are found, request a room change away from the infested area. During your stay, keep your luggage elevated and away from the bed and furniture. Consider using luggage stands or placing luggage in sealed plastic bags for extra protection. After returning home, carefully inspect luggage and clothing before bringing them inside. Wash and dry all clothing on high heat to kill any potential bed bugs. By being vigilant and taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation while travelling.

The worst type of bed bug is known as the Cimex lectularius, or the common bed bug because it’s resistant to many insecticides. It can live for up to a year without eating and reproduce quickly. It often goes unnoticed because it only comes out to feed at night.

If you believe you have bed bugs, please let us know so that we can conduct an inspection of your home. Bed bugs are difficult to remove, therefore it is critical to hire a professional. Our highly trained experts will collaborate with you to create a treatment strategy that works best for you.

Bed bugs can move quickly, but they do not jump. They can travel quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings, but they cannot fly or jump. Bed bugs are often mistaken for other insects, such as fleas, cockroaches, and ants. If you think you have bed bugs, it is important to contact a professional to get rid of them before they reproduce and spread.

Under optimal conditions, with regular access to blood meals, a bed bug can live anywhere from 6 to 12 months. However, in the absence of food, these insects can go into a dormant state and survive for several months. During their lifetime, female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs, which allows for rapid population growth if not managed or eradicated.

Bed bugs can indeed spread through clothes. These pests are expert hitchhikers, easily clinging onto garments when someone is in an infested area. When these infested clothes are transported to new locations, bed bugs can migrate and establish themselves in new surroundings. For instance, if a person visits an infested hotel room and bed bugs latch onto their clothing, they can unknowingly transport these bugs to their home. To prevent this spread, it’s recommended to wash suspected clothes in hot water and dry on high heat, as heat effectively kills bed bugs and their eggs.

Bed bug bites typically manifest as small, red, raised or flat welts on the skin. They are often itchy and can become swollen or inflamed. One distinguishing feature of bed bug bites is their pattern; they often appear in a line or cluster, as if the bug has bitten the individual multiple times while moving. This pattern is sometimes referred to as “breakfast, lunch, dinner.” It’s worth noting that reactions to bed bug bites can vary significantly among individuals. Some people may not exhibit any visible signs or symptoms, while others might experience an allergic reaction leading to larger red, swollen areas or even blisters. Additionally, the bites can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to appear, making it sometimes challenging to pinpoint when or where the exposure occurred.

Yes, there are methods and substances that can kill bed bugs nearly instantly or within a very short time frame. Here are a few:

1. Heat: Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat. If exposed to temperatures of 118°F (48°C) or higher for 90 minutes or more, they will die. Many professional exterminators use heat treatments, where they raise the temperature in a room or entire home to these lethal levels to kill bed bugs in all life stages. Portable heaters and fans are used to heat the room to about 135°F (57°C) for several hours, ensuring the heat penetrates all potential hiding spots.
2. Cold: While heat is more commonly used, extreme cold can also kill bed bugs. They begin to die when exposed to temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) for at least four days. However, this method might be less practical for many people, especially for treating larger areas.
3. High-proof Alcohol: Rubbing alcohol (90% or higher) can kill bed bugs on contact. However, it doesn’t have long-lasting residual effects, so it’s only effective when directly sprayed on the bugs. Due to its flammability, it should be used with caution.
4. Direct Steam: Steam cleaners emitting a high-temperature jet of steam can kill bed bugs almost instantly upon contact. This method is especially effective for treating mattresses, furniture, and other areas where bed bugs are likely to be hiding.
5. Diatomaceous Earth: While not “instant,” food-grade diatomaceous earth is a natural insect killer that works relatively quickly. It’s a fine powder made from fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. When bed bugs come into contact with this powder, it damages their exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them. While it might take a few hours to a couple of days for the bed bugs to die after coming into contact, it’s an effective longer-term strategy when placed in bed bug traffic areas.

It’s important to note that while these methods can kill bed bugs on contact or within a short time frame, addressing a full-blown infestation often requires a combination of treatments and a more comprehensive approach. Always take safety precautions when using any treatment, and when in doubt, consult with a pest control professional.