What Does Pest Control Do For Bed Bugs?

One out of five Americans have had to deal with or know someone who has had to deal with bedbugs. These little creatures are tough and once they take hold are difficult to get rid of. In order to properly exterminate them, it is good to know a bit more about these bugs.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs have evolved over millions of years to be parasites. Originally found with other animals such as bats and birds, many have now adapted to human dwellings. These blood-sucking creatures multiply quickly and prefer places like clothing, mattresses, and couches.

What do bed bugs look like?
After they hatch they look flat and oval and are about the size of a poppy seed, but can grow a ¼” in length. There is little variation in how they look, taking the appearance of white or clear at first and after eating they’ll gain a deep brown hue because of all the blood.

Yikes! Tell me more about how they eat.
All bed bugs follow a typical pattern of when and where they eat. As mentioned before they like to hide in nesting areas such as mattresses and couches, but can often be found around outlets and picture frames as well. Because they are nocturnal, they come out at night to feed.

How do I know if I have an infestation?
You’ll find many common observations if you have a bed bug infestation, the first usually be the red welts on your skin from their biting. From there you might find their defecation in the form of brown stains, and little pieces of their shedded skin.

That sounds a bit gross, how do I avoid getting them?
They are a bit gross and the worse part is that they are such a successful parasite that they can hide just about anywhere. Because they prefer fabric, they can be hidden in stores, gyms, hotels and the workplace - easily hitchhiking off of one person to another.

So, what does pest control do to take care of bed bugs?

To fully control a bed bug infestation, most pest control companies follow a three-step plan of inspection, implementation, and monitoring. When inspecting they’ll look in both the expected and unexpected areas and the level of infestation so they know how to move forward.

What do they do to actually treat the infestation?

According to Green Earth Exterminators who specializes in pest control in Houston, they say it depends on the level of infestation, but you can expect to leave your house for a few hours as the pest control person applies the required pesticide. This poison targets not only the active bugs but also the larvae - undermining the next generation of bed bugs.

How do I know if I’m getting a reputable pest control professional?

Most states require a pest control professional to be licensed. The best companies use what is called an integrated pest management (IPM). The IPM includes chemical and other preventive measures such as properly cleanliness.

What can I do to fight a bed bug infestation?

Because these bloodsuckers are attracted to human sweat and skin, the pest professional is going to recommend you a cleaning of your entire house. Expect to wash all your clothes, sheets, and pillows on the hottest setting along with drying them for the maximum time.

What else can I do to fight these little vampires?
You can prepare your house for a treatment by carefully inspecting all electronics, toys, and picture frames. When you are sure that these items are infestation free, go ahead and put them in storage containers or bags to quarantine them from the rest of the house.

Is there anything I can do to make the pest control companies job easier?
Yes, the more open space the better for treatment. Pick up any loose items scattered on the floor, along with vacuuming couches, recliners, and the carpet thoroughly. From there you might need to move furniture so that pest control person can have better access.

What about-store bought pesticides?

If you are considering the DIY approach, retail bought pesticides can work. These poisons aren’t miracle cures though, you should expect a tough battle ahead with properly cleaning and quarantining infestation for a few weeks to come.

How do I avoid getting bed bugs in the future?
The EPA has a list of recommendations for preventing these parasite from getting into your home. I would recommend being mindful of buying any used furniture or beds, vacuuming frequently, and keeping your house clear of clutter so they have nowhere to hide.

Anything else I should know?
Professional pest control is the best course of action when fighting bed bugs. They provide a thorough inspection of your house while making a multi-step plan to fight back the infestation on multiple fronts. Controlling these insects are tough, but it is possible.