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There is an overwhelming amount of information on how best to detect and monitor bed bugs - in and amongst the mix of DIY solutions, suggestions from friends, myths, and urban legends, a clear solution can be difficult to find.
Entomologists, pest control experts, and homeowners all agree on one though - bed bugs are unique, have unique treatments, and cannot be managed through typical pest control measures. These parasitic insects are incredibly small and can fit into cracks as thin as a credit card - miss two of these expert hiders and you’ll have a brand new infestation on your hands.
Because of these challenges, having the proper bed bug control services is vital. And Western Exterminator starts with a full inspection of your property so there is no stone unturned. Learn how Western conducts a bed bug inspection and find out what you can expect from our services.
The most important - and ironically, the most difficult - step in eliminating bed bugs is detection. It is crucial to correctly identify these blood-feeding pests, but adult bed bugs are typically only a few millimeters in length and width. Other stages of the bed bug life cycle (eggs and nymphs) are microscopic and virtually invisible to the naked eye.
Bed bug eggs hatch and nymphs mature with each blood meal, developing into fully-grown adults in months. These adults go on to reproduce and form new colonies; left undetected and untreated, the infestations spread at rapid pace, making sleep a recurring nightmare for the humans they share a bed with.
Scheduled inspections take an average of one to one and a half hours to complete, depending on the size and intricacy of your property. Here is what you can expect to take place during a scheduled bed bug inspection:
Before your bed bug inspection, one of our licensed Technicians will discuss your concerns, any particular needs you may have, and provide a thorough description of what the inspection will involve.
The inspector will examine the areas of suspected bed bug activity, most commonly in the seams of the mattress, bed, and upholstery. Using special tools, the inspector will look for signs of bed bugs such as excrement, fecal spots, egg shells, and shed skins.
As we move through your home, don’t shy away from asking questions. At Western Exterminator, our Technicians are always able and willing to explain what we are doing and why we are doing it.
When the bed bug inspection is complete, you will receive a report which describes the findings - whether or not bed bug activity was discovered, areas of concern, and damages made (if any). Recommendations and an estimate for treatment and follow-up will also be provided in the report for you to decide the best course of action.
At Western Exterminator, we use multiple detection methods to ensure a comprehensive bed bug inspection. These methods are complimentary and can be used together to make sure your property is inspected to the fullest. Some of the methods we use to find, and consequently, eliminate bed bugs includes:
Despite the fact that bed bugs are difficult to see with the naked eye, trained bed bug Technicians can find evidence of bed bugs through experience, expertise, and looking for signs such as:
One approach to bed bug detection employs the use of passive devices - detector devices set up in areas where bed bugs may be hiding. The term ‘passive’ refers to the fact that these devices do not attempt to attract bed bugs; rather, they are placed in locations such as under the legs of bed frames and upholstered furniture to intercept, capture, and kill bed bugs as they travel to sleeping and resting areas.
Unlike passive devices, active bed bug detection devices actively lure bed bugs using attractants such as carbon dioxide, heat, and other chemicals. They are placed in locations of suspected activity to entice bed bugs from hiding places and provide evidence of a bed bug infestation.
Due to a dog’s keen sense of smell, a trained canine can detect the presence of bed bugs by the odors given off by live bed bugs and viable eggs, hidden in places which might be missed during a visual inspection.
Western Exterminator Canine Teams go through extensive training to learn how to detect bed bugs. With their ability to locate everything from weapons, drugs, missing persons and cancer - similar training is employed for them to pick up the scent of bed bugs.
Their sense of smell is so acute that dogs can essentially ‘see’ through smell and effectively detect bed bugs at all life stages.
Our Canine Teams quickly locate areas of bed bug activity and infestation to ensure treatments can efficiently target and effectively eliminate bed bugs. Canine detection services can also be used in follow-up procedures post-treatment to ensure all your premises are completely bed bug-free.
Canine inspections are used for a variety of reasons, but there are four main reasons our technicians trust "man's best friend" to help get rid of bed bugs.
1. Proven and trusted - Because of their keen sense of smell, dogs are able to locate everything from weapons and drugs, to missing persons, cancer and yes, bed bugs.
2. Speed and accuracy - Ultimately means cost savings - A dog has more than 220 million olfactory receptors in its nose, and a trained bed bug dog is looking for just one smell - bed bugs. These pests are quite secretive by nature and they are impressively flat, so bed bugs can hide nearly anywhere - in walls, in mattress seams - often in places no human could reasonably see them. It can take up to an hour for a human inspector to properly search just one bedroom for bed bugs. A dog can clear the same room in a matter of minutes with far more accuracy.
3. Cutting-edge technology - The "nose" is cutting-edge technology and scientifically-proven to be the most accurate inspection tool that can detect and pinpoint sources of bedbugs - critical information for lowering costs of eradicating this parasitic insect.
4. Greater peace of mind - Our dogs are trained to work by being rewarded with play, not food. You can rest easy if our dog doesn't find bed bugs and know your money is well spent if it does. If the dog finds bed bugs, Western Exterminator can then begin the process of eliminating the infestation.