What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bug identification is key to bed bug control. Learn what bed bugs look like and how to spot them before they get you.
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How to get rid of bed bugs
Once a bed bug problem is discovered, you should contact a professional bed bug exterminator for a complete peace of mind. DIY solutions are unlikely to be effective with bed bugs due to the resilience and resistance these blood-sucking pests have built up against conventional treatment methods.
There are however, some out there who may want to attempt it on their own. And for those brave DIYers, while the following tips will not help you fully remove bed bugs from your home, we hope they help reduce the infestation.
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1. Fully inspect the below areas - Bed bugs earned their name for their fondness of beds and bed time. They however, infest many other areas too. These opportunistic insects hide in close proximity to their human hosts so they can sneak out to draw a blood meal without being noticed. Fully inspect the below areas:
- Mattress - Be it your bedroom or hotel room, the first thing you should check is the mattress. Apart from live insects found along mattress seams and tags, you may also notice red marks from where bed bugs have been accidentally crushed.
- Bed frame - Bed bugs are often found in crevices in between bed frames and mattresses. Look out for small cracks in the frame that bed bugs could live in.
- Bedding - Closely inspect the bedding for signs of bed bugs, including pillows, sheets, duvets, etc.
- Bedside cabinets - The items closest to the bed are most likely to be infested.
- Wardrobes & dressers - Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers and known to be found on clothes.
- Pictures - Live bed bug insects have been found on picture frames and other wall adornments.
- Furniture - All furniture in the room should be inspected. When inspecting, remove any furniture covers and pay particular attention to the seams and cushions of couches, sofas and chairs.
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2. Wash infested bedding - If your manufacturer's instructions allow, wash infested bedding at a temperature of at least 140°F for 90 minutes. A typical household washing machine and dryer settings should manage this. Bed bugs cannot survive in a hot dryer longer than 20 to 30 minutes, so dry all bedding on your dryer’s highest heat setting.
Take care to move infested bedding to and from the laundry room in a dedicated laundry basket to prevent cross-contamination of clothing, towels and other laundered items. -
3. Vacuum and seal - Vacuum across your mattress, inside the bed frame, under your bed, along headboards and baseboards. Use the hose attachments to clean thoroughly along walls, around edges and in all cracks and crevices where live insects, nymphs and eggs may be hiding.
Dispose of your vacuum bag outside your home. Wrap your mattress (and even your box spring) in specially designed, bed bug encasements. These help prevent bed bugs from being able to hide and make nests in your mattress.
How to get rid of bed bugs from your business
The hospitality industry is at great risk when it comes to bed bug activity. High traffic volumes in hotels, bed & breakfasts and motels increase the risk of a bed bug infestation. With visitors constantly coming and going, it is almost inevitable that bed bugs will find their way in.
A 2015 report revealed that bed bug infestations cause 3.5+ weeks of disruption for businesses on average. Compared to other pests, bed bugs are likely to cause the largest number of compensation claims. The consequences are significant for brand reputation, customer reviews, employee morale, operational efficiency and ultimately revenue and profits. When it comes to bed bugs and business, DIY treatment options are far too risky without any guarantee of success.
For protection and complete peace of mind, you can count on the qualified pest controllers at Western Exterminator for expert bed bug control. Not only do we offer leading bed bug solutions such as heat treatments and canine bed bug inspections, our local bed bug specialists also provide businesses with value-added staff training such that your ground staff is equipped to spot the signs of a bed bug infestation for early detection and treatment.
Professional bed bug control
We employ an integrated pest management (IPM) approach, taking into consideration your home, your neighborhood, your family and the environment. The bed bug treatments we use eliminate bed bugs at every stage of the life cycle.
At Western Exterminator, we understand the distress a bed bug infestation can cause. For your peace of mind, we offer a 30-day bed bug treatment warranty; follow-up visits to ensure we fully resolved your bed bug problem.