Bed Bugs
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny parasitic pests that sneak up on us in the middle of the night while we are asleep. They are small and difficult to see with the naked eye, but they’re not invisible. To help you get started in your bed bug control efforts, here are some helpful ways to identify bed bugs:
- They have a brownish-auburn-red coloring, and their bodies flatten from top to bottom.
- They have an elongated mouth (called a proboscis) that they use to feed on their host’s blood.
- They have three little legs coming out of either side of them.
- The feed for anywhere from three to ten minutes at a time.
- After feeding, they swell up in size, get longer, and turn a deep reddish-purple color.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs aren’t known for transmitting any diseases; however, your health can become compromised if an infestation goes undetected and untreated for a prolonged period of time. Bites can become severely itchy or inflamed, and if you scratch these welts excessively, they can easily become infected. Not only that, but bed bugs can also take a toll on your mental health as well as your finances.
Why do I have a bed bug problem?
Bed bugs have become a problem in your home because they were introduced by you, a family member, or a visitor. They also could have hitchhiked inside on a secondhand piece of furniture, mattresses, rug, or electronic device.
Whenever there are large populations of people moving in and out of an area, there is the possibility bed bugs will be introduced. Places there is a high possibility of coming into contact with bed bugs include airports, hotels, schools, office buildings, and laundry mats.
Once bed bugs find a way into a home, they make quick work of finding a dark, inconspicuous place to hide. They like to hide in areas that put them near their hosts. Bed bugs are prolific breeders and can establish large difficult-to-control populations in any structure they are introduced to.
Where will I find bed bugs?
Because human blood is their primary food source, bed bugs go where they have easy access to humans. The obvious places to look first for bed bug activity are your sheets, pillowcases, mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. From there, they can pretty much crawl onto other surfaces and spread all around the house.
Bed bugs gravitate towards dark remote areas that are soft and humid; this makes fabric one of their favorite places to hang out. You may find them on the seams of your couch, chairs, cushions, and curtains, and all your clothing is also vulnerable, as are your carpets, furniture, walls, and floors. You can even find them hiding in your electronics and outlets.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
Pacific Pest Management is dedicated to providing you with top-of-the-line treatments and services for bed bugs, as well as many other types of common household pests. We won’t let bed bugs disrupt your peace of mind! Our pest technicians are ready to get rid of bed bugs in various ways, including fumigation, heat treatment, and liquid spray treatments for more minor, localized infestations. Contact us with all your pest control needs, questions, and concerns!
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
If you want to be proactive in your bed bug control efforts, there are some things you can do. Implementing these preventative measures around your home or business can help you avoid the nightmare of a bed bug infestation:
- Eliminate clutter and mess around the house.
- Examine all items for bed bugs or their eggs before bringing them inside.
- Regularly steam clean upholstery, curtains, carpets, etc.
- Use protective encasement on mattresses and box springs.
- Wash and dry all linens, bedding, and clothing on high heat to kill off any bed bug activity.
For comprehensive bed bug detection and elimination services, look no further than the experts at Pacific Pest Management. Our bed bug control solutions in San Mateo give you guaranteed results, giving you the peace of mind of a bed-bug-free property.
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