Temps and termites are on the rise. Schedule your free inspection today.

800-937-8398 Call us for a free quote Contact us

Seattle bed bug control & exterminators

One of the most consistent pests around the world are bed bugs. Bed bugs have been bothering humans for centuries and, although there was a time when it seemed humans had them under control, they have come back in full force in recent years. Bed bugs in Seattle are a real problem for homeshotelsrestaurantsapartments, offices and businesses of all kinds.

Bed bugs are great at hiding, they feed on people at night, plus they are very hard to get rid of once an infestation starts. Just missing a couple of bed bugs hidden behind an electrical socket on the wall is enough to start a second infestation.

Western Exterminator Seattle has bed bug control experts who use the latest methods to detect bed bugs to find where bed bugs are hiding. We offer bed bug treatments to get rid of bed bugs during all life stages and prevent them from returning.

Seattle bed bug infestations

Bed bugs can get into just about any building or onto any form of property. They are very good at traveling and within a large city with global traffic like Seattle, bed bugs can really thrive. Some areas of the world have learned to live with bed bugs more than others, plus airplanes and other forms of global travel can carry bed bugs from place-to-place. The insects can easily end up in luggage and clothing and transfer to homes, hotel rooms and other areas.

Bed bugs like to be close to where they can easily feed. They are small and can hide in the tiniest cracks or crevices. Yes, bed bugs will find places to hide and nest in beds, bedding, mattresses, bed posts and bed frames. However, they also hide behind photos and frames on the wall, within lights and behind electrical sockets. Bed bugs come out during the night because they want to feed on stationary people and do so while those people are sleeping.

Why are bed bugs common in Seattle?

Seattle is a busy city with lots of people travelling in and out. That means more opportunities for bed bugs to hitch-hike from one place to another, especially in shared housing, hotels, and apartments. Bed bugs can spread quickly and don’t need much to survive, so they can easily spread from neighboring cities in Washington.

Most infested areas in Seattle

Bed bugs are most often found in places where people sleep or rest. In Seattle, that includes apartments, hotels, college dorms, and shelters. High-traffic neighborhoods with shared living spaces tend to have more reports, but bed bugs can show up anywhere.

Seasonal trends for bed bugs in Seattle

Bed bugs don’t go away in winter, but people tend to notice them more during the warmer months. Higher temperatures and the summer travel and moving season increase the chances of bed bugs hitchhiking a lift from one host to the next.

Bed bug bites 101

Bed bugs have specialized mouthparts which they use to pierce the skin and into blood vessels located just below the outer layer of skin. Bed bugs also have secretions within their saliva which will prevent the blood from clotting and allow the blood to flow easily down into the stomachs.

Bed bugs feed because they need the blood to reproduce and lay eggs. These insects often come out and feed and then will take time to digest and reproduce, which means there can be breaks between feedings at first. However, once the bed bugs start to breed, there can be many bed bugs all feeding on people in there beds over the course of many nights.

Bed bug bites are red bumps or blemishes on the skin, usually in a line or tight cluster along arms, legs, torsos, necks and other body parts. The bites may itch, but not always. They can sometimes just appear like a red rash. bed bugs will likely be found in the morning when you get up or stand up from the sofa or other furniture which has been infested.

Bed bug bites are irritating and psychologically frustrating, but they are not considered medically significant. If you have allergies to insect bites, seek medical attention.

What do bed bug bites look like?

Bed bug bites are usually small, red, and slightly swollen. They can also be very itchy. The bites tend to show up on areas where skin was exposed while sleeping, like the arms, legs, neck, face, or back. 

For some people, the bites may be barely noticeable, while others may develop more irritated, raised welts. The reaction depends on how your body responds. If you're waking up with bites you didn’t have the night before, it could be a sign of bed bugs.

Symptoms and health risks from bed bug bites

The main symptom of a bed bug bite is itching, which can lead to broken skin and infections if scratched too much. Some people also experience swelling or allergic reactions.

If bites become painful, swollen, or don’t heal, it’s best to contact a healthcare professional, and if you’re seeing signs of bed bugs, it’s time to call Western Exterminator.

Bed bugs

Signs of bed bugs in Seattle

The first signs you may have bed bugs are the bites. However, there are other things you can look for to confirm:

  • Shed skins - Bed bugs go through several stages before reaching adulthood. They will shed their skin and leave that behind in bedding or around their hiding places.
  • Blood spots - When bed bugs feed, the tiny wounds bleed, and the anticoagulant can cause you to leave spots of blood behind on pillows and sheets.
  • Fecal spots - When bed bugs eat, they also expel fecal matter. This will appear as small brownish colored spots around the bed.
  • Foul odor - If the bed bug infestation is large enough, they will leave behind a musty odor that is hard to miss.

If you find any of those signs or manage to spot the small, brown apple seed-sized insects, you should contact a bed bug professional right away.

DIY bed bug treatment vs. professional extermination

Trying to handle bed bugs on your own with DIY treatments can be very tricky, and it rarely solves the problem completely. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate due to their tiny size and ability to hide away in the tiniest cracks and crevices. Store-bought sprays, traps, and cleaning can help reduce visible bugs, but they often miss eggs, larvae, and hidden pests deep in furniture, wall cracks, and mattress seams. 

Bed bugs are experts at hiding, and just a few survivors can lead to another infestation. Professional extermination is the most effective solution.

Western Exterminator in Seattle gets rid of bed bugs

Looking for bed bug inspections near you? Western Exterminator bed bug exterminators in Seattle are ready to help. Since bed bugs can be hard to see with hiding spots that are hard to find, it takes special training and skills to identify all of the infested places and implement specialized treatments to help get rid of them. When treating for bed bugs, you don't want to just get rid of the adults, but the eggs and nymphs, too.

We offer commercial and residential bed bug control, so no matter the space, our technicians can help. 

Our extermination process for bed bugs

When it comes to bed bugs, a thorough response is key. At Western Exterminator, our Seattle exterminators focus on keeping your home and peace of mind well-protected. Our process involves: 

  • Inspection and detection methods

Our trained technicians start by carefully inspecting your home. We check beds, furniture, baseboards, and other hiding spots using various tools. Bed bugs are tiny and good at staying hidden, so we know exactly where to look and what to watch for.

  • Effective bed bug treatments

Once we’ve confirmed where the bed bugs are, we can create a treatment plan that fits your space. Depending on the situation, we may use heat treatments, targeted applications, or a combination of methods. 

Our treatments help to protect your family and pets while still being tough on bed bugs at every life stage, including their eggs.

  • Follow-up visits and maintenance programs

After treatment, we can schedule follow-up visits to check for any signs of lingering bugs and ensure the treatment has eliminated all signs of bed bug activity. Western Exterminator can help protect your home, family, and pets with year-round pest control.1 With our PestFree365+ plan2, you’ll receive ongoing protection against common household pests, so you can rest easy knowing your property is in good hands.3

Contact your local bed bug exterminators today

If you’ve noticed bites, blood spots on your sheets, or tiny bugs around your bed, don’t wait. The Seattle Western Exterminator team can provide you with a property inspection to help determine if bed bugs are present and get rid of them. Contact our office today for more information.

1Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.

2Moths, Overwintering Insects, Ground Beetles, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Firebrats, Millipedes, Clover Mites, Pillbugs/Sowbugs, Psocids, Scorpions, Silverfish, Paper Wasps, Springtails, Spiders, Stored Product Beetles, Stored Product Moths, Mice, Rats, Black Widow Spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders, Voles (perimeter/structure only), Bed Bugs, Fleas (interior only), Bumble Bees, Carpenter Bees, Solitary Ground Bees, Yellowjackets, Hornets, Baldfaced Hornets, Crazy Ants, Carpenter Ants, and Fire Ants (perimeter/structure only).
3Homes must be free of bed bugs at the initial service to qualify for coverage of bed bugs under the PestFree365+ Plan. Applies to single family, free-standing, owner-occupied homes only. Account must be in good standing. Other limitations may apply. See Plan for details

Frequently asked questions

Yes, bed bugs are an issue in Seattle. The city’s travel, dense housing, and seasonal changes make it easier for bed bugs to spread in homes, hotels, and apartments.

DIY methods don’t get rid of bed bugs fully. These pests hide well and lay eggs in hard-to-reach places. For complete elimination, professional treatment is the most reliable option.

The cost to treat a room can vary depending on how bad the infestation is and the type of treatment needed. It’s best to contact us for a quote so we can create a customized treatment plan for your space.

Heat treatment is often one of the most effective methods, but it depends on the situation. Our technicians choose the best option based on what works for your home.

Find your local branch

Enjoy pest-free living all year long with PestFree365+. See how our home pest control plan protects you and your family from 39 common pests.