Bed bugs are an absolute nightmare for homeowners and business managers in the hospitality sector. Urbanization, a sharp incline of international tourism, and more diverse, high-volume accommodation options have aided the proliferation of bed bugs.
These highly resilient, parasitic insects have stood the test of time and are more prevalent today than ever. Since 1921, Western Exterminator has been developing the best bed bug inspection and treatment methods to protect your home and business from this tiny pest.
Get the bed bug facts to protect your home or business.
Professional bed bug removal techniques using conventional, steam, and heat treatments are proven to be more efficient and powerful than DIY solutions or natural home remedies. Western Exterminator’s professional bed bug control methods are environmentally friendly and include:
The primary and most-used approach for the removal of bed bugs is the use of several insecticide formulations. Liquids, dust, and aerosols are typically required for a thorough bed bug service because of varying types of surfaces, materials, and circumstances in both homes and businesses.
Bed bug fumigation involves the release of fumigants into a sealed, enclosed space. The gas penetrates all items within the fumigation space, exterminating all life stages of bed bugs present - hidden or inaccessible - during the exposure period. This non-flammable, non-corrossive method leaves no odor or residue and can be used on sensitive materials and electronics. During the bed bug fumigation treatment, all tenants, pets, and plants will need to be evacuated for several days.
Heat treatment is a chemical-free method of bed bug control using a targeted application of raised temperatures to help eliminate eggs, nymphs, and adult bed bugs in a single treatment. Heat treatments denature and destroy essential proteins in the insect and kill them by desiccation - drying them out.
Steam remediation is a chemical-free method of bed bug control using the application of steam to treat the surfaces of mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture. It is highly effective in reducing the active bed bug populations where the use of insecticides is restricted.
Mattress liners and covers are two great preventative measures against bed bugs. Western Exterminator offers ActiveGuard mattress liners that impact bed bugs on lethal and sub-lethal levels. Mattress encasements can be added on as they prohibit mattresses and box springs from becoming infested by providing a barrier that bed bugs cannot penetrate through.
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Early signs of a bed bug infestation can include visible bites, itchy skin, and reddish welts, though not everyone reacts the same way. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to also check for physical evidence of bed bugs around your sleeping areas. Bed bug identification can be tricky without training, as their small size and color help them blend in, especially as some pests look similar to bed bugs, and proper identification is required.
Bed bugs are elusive, nocturnal creatures often surfacing from cracks and crevices to feed on human hosts for a few brief hours in the night before returning to secluded hiding places for up to five to ten days.
The first thing a professional bed bug exterminator does is to look for the signs of a bed bug infestation. This process can be challenging, which is why we may sometimes recommend a canine bed bug inspection, but adult bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye, and you may be able to spot them if you know where to look.
Check areas such as bed frames, headboards, mattress seams, baseboards, inside electrical sockets, and fittings, and look out for these telltale signs:
Usually found on your sheets, pillow cases and bed clothes
Bed bug excrement on sheets, mattresses, bed bugs and walls
An offensive musty odor from the bed bugs’ scent glands
Nearly translucent shells left behind in a clutter
Bed bugs are skilled at staying out of sight, often hiding in very narrow gaps no wider than a credit card. They prefer warm, dark areas close to where people sleep or rest, making it easier for them to feed undetected at night.
Bed bugs commonly hide in mattress seams and piping, where the folds offer protection; box springs and bed frames, which provide many crevices; and behind headboards, which are often undisturbed.
They can also be found inside electrical outlets and light switches, using them to move between rooms. Under loose wallpaper and wall hangings, as well as in joints and cracks of furniture, are also common hiding locations. Luggage, backpacks, and clothing left near beds can become unintended transport for these pests. Their flat, oval, reddish bodies make it easy for them to slip into these tight spots and remain hidden during the day.
Bed bugs are primarily attracted to humans, and more specifically to the following things:
These pests are just as likely to show up in clean homes or a five-star hotel room as in any other
Instead of throwing your mattress away, do the following:
When you discover bed bugs in your property, take caution before throwing anything away. Tossing your mattress or box spring will not solve the problem, and moving them can be risky, as it may introduce bed bugs into other rooms. If you get a brand-new mattress to replace your infested one before your property has been treated for the bugs, your new items may get infested too! This is why it’s so crucial to have your entire home treated for bed bugs, not just certain spots.
You should not have to throw out any items whatsoever during a bed bug infestation. When your property is treated by a professional, all of your items should be salvageable. Instead of throwing out items, it’s recommended to wash what you can in a high-heat washing machine. Extreme temperatures are known to kill bed bugs in all stages of their life cycle.
Even infested furniture should be okay to keep after an infestation if your exterminator has treated it. That said, if you already have old furniture in need of replacing, a bed bug infestation would be the perfect excuse to invest in new items! Simply remember to only dispose of furniture after it has been treated.
Western Exterminator offers the most comprehensive residential and commercial pest control solutions, including bed bug detection, treatment, and prevention. Our bed bug experts provide a variety of treatment options for property owners to get rid of this biting pest.
Our bed bug control options vary and can depend on:
Before deciding on a treatment method, your technician will perform a bed bug inspection to examine the areas of suspected bed bug activity. Depending on the situation, your technician will perform the inspection visually or with passive or active bed bug detection devices. All inspection methods will find where the bed bugs are hiding, helping your technician decide on the best control method.
Prevention is key when it comes to bed bugs. Here are a few ways to reduce the risk of another infestation:
Bed bugs can be hugely aggravating for home and business owners alike and particularly troublesome to control. More often than not, people will attempt to control an infestation using DIY solutions or home remedies. However, this is unlikely to fully eliminate all stages of the bed bug lifecycle. Alongside professional bed bug control, there are some steps you can take to limit an infestation.
Check bed bug hiding areas such as mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, wall joints, edges of carpets and nearby furniture for live insects.
Strip the bedding, place it in a garbage bag and transfer it to the washing machine. Wash infested bedding at temperatures of at least 140°F for 90 minutes.
Vacuum your bed, mattress and areas where you have spotted bed bugs. Use the hose attachment to clean along walls and edges. Empty your vacuum into an outside bin.
Place infested items such as pillows and duvets into your freezer. Maintain temperatures below 0°F for at least 4 days.
Bed bugs are some of the most slippery hitchhikers. The most effective way to control bed bugs is to enlist the help of a professional bed bug exterminator. At Westen Exterminator, the treatments we employ help to eliminate the bed bug infestation at all stages of the life cycle, getting rid of the adult bed bugs but also removing all eggs and larvae.
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. If you have bed bugs in your home, there is a really good chance that you picked them up during a stay away from home. Bed bugs can also be brought into your home through an item that was previously infested and carried into your house. If you live in an apartment, bed bugs can travel from unit to unit, so it is likely that there is an infestation in a room in your building.
Bed bugs like to hide anywhere that humans rest for an extended period as they prefer to be as close to their food source as possible. Their most common ‘hiding’ spots are beds, couches, and reclining chairs. As an infestation grows, bed bugs can extend to unusual places like baseboards and curtains, along ceilings, in electrical outlets, and behind pictures.
Since bed bugs breed quickly, we do not recommend attempting DIY bed bug control. Bed bugs are very tiny, making it difficult for the untrained eye to find all of them. Working with a professional pest control company like Western Exterminator can help remove bed bugs at all life stages.
Any treatment method provided by a professional pest control company is your best option for killing bed bugs as quickly as possible. These methods include conventional treatment, fumigation, heat treatment, or steam remediation. Every bed bug situation is unique, and your technician will choose the appropriate method to help remove the bed bugs.
Working with a professional pest control company like Western Exterminator is the best way to get rid of bed bugs at home. A technician will inspect your home, find where the bed bugs are hiding, and pick the right treatment service to help ensure the bed bugs are gone. Our control methods include conventional treatment, fumigation, steam remediation, and heat treatments. DIY bed bug control methods are ineffective, and an ineffective treatment will likely only make the infestation worse.
Costs vary depending on several factors, including the size and location of the infestation, property type, and treatment method. After a detailed bed bug inspection, your technician will provide a personalized quote tailored to your situation.
Bed bug control often requires one to two visits, but larger infestations may take longer. Heat treatments are usually completed in one session, while insecticide programs may need a follow-up visit.
There is no scientific evidence that ultrasonic repellers are effective for bed bug control. Relying on these devices may delay proper treatment, allowing the infestation to grow.
Bed bugs are affected immediately during the fumigation process. The gas penetrates all areas and works quickly to eliminate bed bugs at all life stages. There is no need to clean afterward, but reentry is not allowed until the fumigation has been cleared and when your technician deems it safe.
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