What are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects that have been around for thousands of years. They are reddish-brown in color and approximately one-quarter inch long and feed on blood. Some people can be allergic to their bites, but these bugs are not known to spread any diseases to humans.

They hide during the day on beds (mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards), and in cracks and crevices of walls, floors, and furniture. They can crawl quite fast and come out at night.

Getting rid of a bed bug infestation is not easy, and it’s best to enlist the help of professional pest control services. But by increasing awareness and following the signs of an infestation, you can control the problem to a large extent.

Signs of Infestation

If one fine day you suddenly wake up with itchy areas on your skin that you didn’t have when you went to sleep, you may have bedbugs.

Apart from this, some more very common signs are;

• Slight, scattered blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
• Dark or rusty spots of bedbug excrement on sheets, pillowcases, bedclothes, and mattresses
• Do not ignore if you come across egg shells, or shed skins and bedbug fecal spots in nooks and corners of bedsides and walls
• You may also come across a musty odor that comes from the bugs’ scent glands
• These are all signs of a bed bug infestation and if you suspect an infestation, you must remove all bedding and check carefully for signs of the bugs or their excrement.
• Apart from checking your bedding, it’s also necessary to check box springs and examine the seams in the wood framing.
• The bed is not the only area for infestation, but books, telephones or radios, the edge of the carpet, and even electrical outlets can be a good hiding place for these pests.
• Bedbugs can attach to clothing as well, therefore be sure to check your closet.

What is The Main Cause of Bed Bugs?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bed bugs mostly flourish in hotels and motels, come into contact with people and then travel back to their homes by way of luggage, bags, clothes, bedding, furniture, etc.

How to Get Rid of a Bed Bug Infestation?

Many people think of using pesticides on their own, but this is not a DIY project.

Pesticides can be very dangerous if used improperly. Nevertheless, if you decide to use pesticides, follow these rules:

Only use pesticides that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (look for the U.S. EPA Registration Number on the label) and make sure they are labeled to control bed bugs.

• Be sure that the pesticides do not come in direct contact with your body
• Do not use outdoor pesticides indoors.
• Better still, hire a pest control company that has experience with bed bugs.
• Make sure they are registered and follow the steps of IPM, along with any pesticide application.
• The Department of Environmental Conservation has a list of registered companies.

With a little precaution, you can avoid or deal with pesky bed bug infestations.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation, call Ultra Safe Pest Management—we can help! Bed bugs require treatment from a professional pest control company. Therefore, be vigilant and don’t let bed bugs create havoc in your home or office! If you live in the Greater Boston Area and need bed bug treatment, contact us now.