Bed bugs are a common pest in central Pennsylvania. They infest clothing, beds, couches, and other areas where they can hide easily. Although they are not considered disease transmitters, bed bugs can leave you and your family with several bites and create a generally unclean environment in your home. If you think you have a bed bug problem, do not hesitate to contact us. Just click the button below to request an appointment.
Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on human blood and will typically bite at night, giving them their name. They prefer dark, concealed locations, are common in high-density areas, and are avid travelers.
Bed bugs often live for several months, in which time a female bed bug will produce two to three eggs every day. The offspring hatch as nymphs, or miniature version of adult bed bugs.
Recently, we have seen an increase in bed bug infestations, which may be due to a decrease in the use of urban pesticides, an uptick in world travel, and a built-up resistance to certain types of treatment.
Bed bugs generally spread via public transportation such as planes, buses, and trains. They will hitch a ride in your luggage and on your clothing, and can even make a home inside of books, furniture, and other belongings.
After they arrive at their destination, bed bugs will often migrate to an area where they can easily hide and reproduce. These are places like mattresses, bedding, carpet, and furniture.
If you have a bed bug infestation, you or other inhabitants of your home will have likely endured bites from these pests at some point. Bed bug bites often appear in multiples, and tend to be in straight lines. They are similar to mosquito bites in that they are small, red areas that become itchy over time. Some people also experience an allergic reaction from the bites.
A common sign of a bed bug infestation in a mattress or bedding is small, red stains. These are usually the result of a bed bug being crushed, and since they feed on human blood, they will leave a stain that is red in color.
Remnants of bed bug feces, also called flecking, will usually accompany other signs of bed bugs. Feces will appear as a series of small, black dots which vary in size.
Eggs and eggshells are some of the most common signs of a bed bug problem. In fact, simply cleaning creases and other hidden areas of a mattress, rug, or piece of furniture where the bed bugs eggs were sighted can significantly aid the bed bug removal process.
Bed bug eggs are white or pearl in color, and are similar in appearance to rice. If you see eggs like this, please give us a call right away.
Like many insects, bed bugs will shed their skin, otherwise known as the exoskeleton, throughout different stages of life. As the bed bug grows, its skin will be shed as many as four times. So, when an infestation is present, many exoskeletons tend to be visible, making it easy to identify where the bed bug problem lies.
Look for translucent shells that retain the general look of a bed bug, similar to how a cicada shell will look after it's been molted. This is a tell-tale sign of an infestation.
Since bed bugs are attracted to dark, hidden areas, there are several ways you as a homeowner can help to eradicate a bed bug population.
For beds and mattresses, wash bedding thoroughly at or above 113 degrees for at least one hour. Use a stiff brush to scrub all parts of your bed, including the frame, mattress seams, and any other small, secluded areas. You can use a similar process on furniture, using a stiff brush to make sure no area is a safe haven for a bed bug. In the rest of the house, fill any holes or cracks in your floors, wall, and trim. Finally, vacuum floors carefully, dust and clean furniture, and look around your house to identify any other areas that may be appealing to bed bugs.
Although these steps will certainly help to minimize the bed bug infestation, a pest control expert is almost always needed for complete bed bug removal. We use a reliable biopesticide, which allows us to fix your bed bug problem with as little as one treatment, and it will not harm you or your pets.
Our professional pest control technicians are standing by to give you the best pest control service possible. Don't let the problem get any worse—book an appointment now to get a budget-friendly fix for all your pest control problems.