Bed Bug Questions Answered!
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. Although active at night while people sleep, they strike during the day if hungry.
Are bed bugs visible?
Yes. Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red- colored oval bodies that resemble an apple seed in size, shape and color, easily seen with the naked eye. Bed Bugs have become masters at hiding. They hide away in cracks, crevices, screw holes or other places on or around the bed frame, baseboards and surrounding furniture and clutter. It is difficult to see or find a bed bug when it is hiding.
Do bed bugs live in the mattress?
Bed bugs live in mattresses. Contrary to popular belief, they cannot travel through fabric. Mostly, we see them crawling on, around and under it. Bed bugs travel through rips or holes in a mattress. This makes it possible for the bugs to live inside mattresses and box springs. It is far more common that bed bugs live along the folds and seams of a mattress’s exterior. We find them in cracks and holes in the bed frame or surrounding baseboards, flooring and furniture.
Diseases caused by bed bugs?
According to the Mayo Clinic, The CDC and EPA bed bug bites are not considered as a medical or public health hazard. These organizations agree bed bugs do not spread disease.
Most common way to get bed bugs.
How does a home become infested with bed bugs?
In most cases, people carry bed bugs into their homes unknowingly, in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, purses or clothing. Bed bugs travel between apartments through small crevices and cracks in walls and floors.
How do I know if my home is infested with bed bugs?
You may notice itchy skin welts. Visual signs of bed bugs include small bloodstains from crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to see them because they hide in or near bedroom furniture. We pull back the mattress near the head of the bed.
What if I have no signs of bed bugs but i have bites ?
You may want to consider hiring a bed bug sniffing dog. The dogs are able to tell if you have bed bugs long before you will see visual signs.
Get Rid of Bed Bugs.
Is it necessary to use insecticides to get rid of bed bugs?
You can find non-toxic DIY techniques and non-toxic consumer-grade products that are effective for killing individual bugs. However, they should not be used for elimination of an established infestation. DIY products don’t have the pervasiveness to reach and kill all bed bugs living in a dwelling. Residual insecticides that stay active for weeks at a time are a necessary component for eliminating bed bugs completely. These commercial grade insecticides will continue to affect any bugs that come out of their hiding places long after the exterminator visit.
How do I know if my home is infested with bed bugs?
You may notice itchy skin welts. Visual signs of bed bugs include small bloodstains from crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to see them because they hide in or near bedroom furniture. We pull back the mattress near the head of the bed.