Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs are a nuisance that can ruin your house or place of business and make life uncomfortable on a daily basis. They typically reside in and around mattresses, as their name suggests, and feed on the blood of people who sleep on them at night.

The first indications of bed bugs may be welts on your body that resemble flea or mosquito bites when you wake up. Also possible are tiny, dried blood spots that appear reddish-brown on your linens. Finding a bed bug, though, is the only way to be 100% certain you have them.

Being proactive and getting advice from professionals in bed bug control is essential to getting rid of them.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs?
Bed Bug Control

What Are Bed Bugs and Why Are They Dangerous?

Bed bugs are small, oval, parasitic insects that feed on human and animal blood. They are classified into two types: nymphs (immature bed bugs) and adults.

The adult bed bug is 3/8 of an inch long, brownish-red in color, and has a flat back. They will become more swollen and brownish orange after consuming a blood meal. Nymph Bed Bugs, in contrast to adult bed bugs, have translucent bodies and are microscopic in size, making them invisible to the naked eye.

Despite the fact that they bite, bed bugs do not spread diseases. In addition to causing red, itchy welts, bed bug bites can potentially result in an allergic reaction.

The danger they pose mostly comes from their tenaciousness. If you find bed bugs in your home, you will most definitely need professional assistance.

How to Identify Bed Bugs?

The first step in identifying and controlling bed bugs is knowing what to look for. Because many bugs resemble bed bugs, accurate identification is a critical first step in avoiding costly treatment for the wrong bug.

Adult bed bugs are, in general:

  • approximately the size of an apple seed, measuring between 5 and 7 mm (3/16 and 1/4 inch) in length;
  • long and brown, with a body that is balloon-like, reddish-brown, and more elongated if it has not been fed recently, and flat and oval-shaped if it has;
  • smelly, with glands on the lower side of the body producing a “musty-sweetish” odor;
  • if older than five days, indicated by an eye spot.

What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?

There are a few do-it-yourself methods for eliminating bed bugs. You may have tried those methods to keep bed bugs at bay, only to find that they had no effect. Yes, some of the remedies are simply myths that do nothing for you. Here are some examples:

  • Mothballs: While mothballs are effective at keeping insects from eating your clothes and bedding, they do nothing to remove bed bugs.
  • Rubbing alcohol: Spraying rubbing alcohol in areas where bed bugs hide may kill some of them, but there are more out there that can multiply quickly. Furthermore, rubbing alcohol can be flammable, posing a fire hazard, particularly when sprayed on upholstered furniture and your mattress.
  • Dryer sheets: Some people think that bed bugs can be eliminated by wiping down their furniture or mattress with dryer sheets. But there’s no evidence that this will help get rid of the pests in your house.

In contrast to these myths, there indeed are some home remedies for bed bugs that genuinely work. In most cases, you should leave your bed bug problem to the professionals.

However, this does not preclude you from taking action while waiting for the bed bug exterminator to arrive. Here are a couple of examples that may assist you in reducing the bed bug colony in your home:

  1. Using Hot Water

It’s time to give your bedding, blankets, and clothes a thorough wash with a splash of hot, steamy water if you think bed bugs have taken up residence in them.

As long as the items are heat-resistant, it is crucial to wash them in hot water to ensure killing bed bugs. Put your clothes and linens in the dryer as well for an extra dose of heat. The bed bugs have a slim chance of surviving this.

  1. Vacuuming

Vacuum your furniture, bedding, and even the minuscule fissures in your walls, wallpaper, and bed frame. After vacuuming any suspected or known hiding places, you must quickly wrap the bag in plastic and take it outside.

To assist in removing any insects and their eggs from your mattress, upholstered furniture, and other similar items, you can use a brush as well.

  1. Using Baking Soda

Baking soda is another example of a home remedy for bed bugs that dehydrates the bugs by removing moisture. You can apply a light layer of baking soda to areas where you believe these critters are hiding.

Allow the powder to sit for a week before sucking it up with your vacuum. You will need to repeat this process until no bugs or eggs remain.

  1. Using Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an additional option for getting rid of bed bugs in your house. In addition to its well-known antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, and antibiotic qualities, tea tree oil also possesses antiparasitic qualities that help get rid of parasitic bed bugs.

This treatment works best if the infestation you have is not too severe. It is recommended to dilute 20 drops of tea tree oil in a water-filled spray bottle and apply the solution to all furniture, including mattresses, cabinets, cushions, curtains, and the like.

  1. Using Lavender or Peppermint Oil Spray

Lavender oil can be sprayed on potential bed bug hiding places, just like tea tree oil can. Considering that lavender essential oil is safe for both you and your pets, you don’t even need to be concerned about any negative effects.

However, due to its strong scent, peppermint oil can help repel these bothersome creatures. By mixing the two, you can create a natural spray that will assist in getting rid of bed bugs in your house.

Keep in mind that these treatments are only meant to help you get rid of bed bugs. They are not a foolproof way to get rid of a colony or eradicate them.

What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly

Can I Remove Bed Bugs Myself?

Although it is possible to get rid of bed bugs on your own, bear in mind that there is no other pest infestation that hurts as much as a bed bug infestation, and that getting rid of them requires patience and time.

Although you can get rid of them by using the methods mentioned above, the most basic course of action is to hire professional exterminators because these are tenacious creatures.

Can You Ever Really Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

It is indeed possible to get rid of bed bugs, however, they are notoriously difficult to eradicate. Many people try to solve the problem on their own, but these pests have become resistant to many insecticides and other traditional eradication methods.

Bed bugs are adept at traveling and can easily infest clothing, bags, and furniture. This allows them to spread easily from one location to another. They can also hide in the smallest crevices and cracks, making even close inspection difficult. This is why eliminating bed bugs can be difficult, time-consuming, and costly.

If you are unable to control the infestation on your own or if the infestation is extensive, it is best to hire a professional pest control company. Professional pest control companies have experience dealing with bed bugs and have access to powerful insecticides as well as advanced detection equipment.

What Time of Year Are Bed Bugs Active?

Because they are primarily nocturnal and active throughout the year, bed bugs typically feed at night. They may, however, feed during the day due to their opportunistic nature, particularly if they are in an area that is heavily infested.

The increased heat and humidity from June to October makes bed bugs more active. Additionally, due to the increased travel during this time, they dispersed more widely.

How Can I Avoid Getting Infested by Bed Bugs?

There are several steps you can take to avoid a bed bug infestation. To begin, keep in mind that these pests are opportunistic travelers. The simplest way to keep them out of your workplace or home is to keep them from riding on your clothing or in your luggage. Here are some tips to help you avoid bed bugs:

  • When you check into a hotel, make sure to look under the luggage rack for evidence of bed bugs. You can look inside if the legs of the rack are hollow. Additionally, make sure the supporting straps and frame are aligned.
  • Used furniture should always be thoroughly inspected before being brought into your house. Examine the spaces between the cushions and along any fluting to ensure a thorough inspection. Additionally, examine the joints, such as the ones where the legs or back meet the seat.
  • Protective layers should be applied to your mattresses and box springs. Light-colored covers protect your mattress while also making it easier to detect bed bug signs.
  • To pick up stray bed bugs, vacuum frequently. To avoid an infestation, dispose of the vacuum bag as soon as possible.
  • Anywhere that hundreds of people congregate, including hotels, movie theaters, airports, and other public spaces, presents a greater risk to you because every room offers a chance to come into contact with a range of visitors from different homes. Therefore, you should also inspect your clothing after going to busy places where a bed bug might have made a home.

The Impacts of Bed Bugs in Your House

You don’t need to be concerned about contracting a virus or any other health issue from someone who has been bitten by a bed bug because bed bugs are not known to transmit disease. That being said, this does not negate the fact that they have a big impact on your house or well-being.

Impacts On Your Physical Health

Bed bug bites can cause allergies in certain people. Should this be the case, you might get hives. These red pimples appear on your skin as a result of the body releasing histamines.

They can spread to other areas of your body and are typically itchy. If you get bitten by a bed bug, you will probably react even if you are not allergic.

Additionally, bites from scratching can lead to skin issues like infection, scarring, and redness. In many cases, you can tell the difference between bites from mosquitoes and bed bugs by looking at the lumps and blemishes they leave behind. If they show up in groups or lines, they are most likely bites from bed bugs.

Impacts On Your Social Life

Bed bugs, like other crawling pests, can spread to the clothing of visitors to your home. If your home is known to harbor these pests, it may have a significant impact on your social life. People will not only be less likely to visit, but they may also reconsider inviting you over.

Impacts On Your Mental Health

Due to their small size, bed bugs sometimes resemble unseen predators. It has been observed that people who have bed bugs tend to be more stressed just by virtue of being aware of their presence.

Stress rises as you can’t seem to locate the bothersome insects, especially since it’s difficult to determine whether you’ve completely eradicated them.

Impacts On Your Sleep

Bed bugs prefer to bite during the night. They can easily feast on you without any interruptions by swatting hands and scratching fingernails because your body is in one place. Although the anesthetic secreted by bed bugs during feeding numbs your skin, the resulting itching sensation may still wake you up.

Risk of Reinfestation

The most serious issue with bed bugs is reinfestation. Bed bugs are resilient. They are very good at avoiding being completely removed from their hosts’ homes.

To avoid reinfestation:

  • Thoroughly clean and inspect luggage before leaving friends’ and family members’ homes, as well as hotel rooms and other paid places of lodging, such as rental homes and condos.
  • Examine the connecting doors and windows for areas where bed bugs could have entered from an adjoining home.
  • Repair any cracks or holes in the walls or floors.
  • Keep an eye out for bed bug signs and act quickly if you see any.

If your home becomes infested, bed bugs can be one of the most difficult pests to manage if not handled properly.

Their stinging, itchy bites can make life feel like a nightmare. It can be a difficult and stressful process to keep your home from being reinfested. That is why, it is best to contact your local professionals as soon as possible.

Call Titan Pest Control Today

When all else fails, hiring a pest control specialist is the best option when dealing with an infestation.

With the skills necessary to deal with insects and other creatures, Titan Pest Control is a full-service pest control and extermination company.

We are a residential and commercial pest control company. Among our clients are single-family homes, apartment complexes with apartments above, five-star hotels, sports arenas, airports, dining establishments, and other commercial spaces.

Our strong reputation is built on trust, dependability, and customer service. We adhere to the strictest industry guidelines, skillfully fusing first-rate client care with knowledgeable extermination techniques.

If you have any questions or need help keeping your home free of pests, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.