Most everyone knows that bed bugs are back and that they have become a problem for homeowners, travelers and business owners all across the U.S; but, do you really know the nitty gritty about bed bugs? While learning about bed bugs may not be at the top of your list of exciting things to do, it is very important in order for you to help protect yourself and home from these pesky pests. Knowing what to look for, why bed bugs are in your home, and options for elimination will all help to ensure that if these blood sucking parasites make their way into your home, they will be eliminated from it as quickly as possible!
The first step in controlling a bed bug infestation is to identify an infestation within your home as quickly as possible. Bed bugs may be small but they are visible to the human eye and do leave behind several signs of their presence. These signs can include:
- Noticing red stains on your bedding or mattress- these blood droplets could have been left behind while the bed bugs were feeding or from the bed bugs being rolled over on and crushed.
- Finding black flecks on your mattress, box spring, or linens. These flecks are fecal material (basically dried blood) that the bed bugs leave behind.
- Finding piles of exoskeletons in your mattress, box spring, or on your home’s floor along the baseboards.
- Waking up with insect bites on your body; although this method of identification can be tricky because not all people react to a bed bug bite and bed bug bites can look very similar to a variety of other insect bites.
- In very large infestations your home may take on a sickly sweet odor (think rotting raspberries).
Most people want to know why bed bugs have invaded their home, and the simple truth is because they were given an opportunity. Bed bugs are very skilled at crawling undetected into or onto a person or their personal belongings and into a home. Bed bugs don’t fly or jump, instead they hitchhike into homes, business, and public areas; basically wherever large amounts of people congregate bed bugs have the potential to be found. Common places can include:
- Hotels
- Motels
- Libraries
- Movie theaters
- Any type of public transportation
- Hospitals
- Dormitories
Many times people delay getting help because they are embarrassed and think that having bed bugs is a sanitation issue, let us assure you this is not the case, a bed bug infestation can happen to anyone. Bed bugs don’t care where they live- it could be a meticulously cleaned home, or a more lived in home with a bit of clutter here or there. The only thing a bed bug cares about is that there is a food source available-you and your family.
So, if bed bugs have or ever do gain access into your home don’t be ashamed to call for help as quickly as possible. There are many great effective bed bug control options available to quickly eliminate any and all bed bugs from your home. At Parkway Pest Services we control and eliminate bed bugs through a variety of trusted, safe, and effective services. Our services include:
- K-9 Bed Bug Inspections- Not only are our detection dogs adorable, they are specially trained to find all bed bugs, eggs, and larvae that are hiding throughout your home.
- Mattress and Box Spring Encasements
- Conventional Treatments
- Steam Treatments
- Year Round Control Plans And Monitoring Programs
For more information about bed bugs and how by partnering with Parkway Pest Services can lead to your home being a bed bug free-zone, contact us today!