Bed bugs are a pest that can thrive all year inside human domains due to temperature control. Yet they become a major problem most during the summer season and holidays. Why? Because bedbugs are hitch hikers. They spread as people travel and are often brought into our homes. If you’ve recently gotten back from a long summer vacation, there is a chance you brought back more than an awesome summer tan. A-Tex Pest Management will share some basic bedbug signs and how you can control bed bugs in your home.
How Can I Tell if It’s a Bed Bug?
Bed bugs are a very small flat pest that feeds on the blood of mammals. They mostly prefer humans since we are not covered in a thick fur coat or feathers. We have soft enough skin that makes feeding easier. Bed bugs can be difficult to detect because they are small. They are about the size and shape of an apple seed. Additionally, they come out at night often when people are sleeping, which makes it easier for them to feed on you! Although they hide in dark places during the day, bed bugs do leave signs of their presence such as:
• Frequent bug bites that are in straight rows or tiny clusters.
• Red or brownish colored spots on bedding or sheets.
• Physical presence of adults, eggs, and nymphs.
• Musty Odor which is produced from the bedbug’s glands.
When signs of bed bugs emerge, it is important to begin control as soon as possible as a major infestation can occur very quickly. Often it takes the combined effort of the homeowner and pest control company to control and rid a home of bed bugs.
How Do I Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
When you have signs of bed bugs, the homeowner has a role to play to help control these blood sucking pests. You will need to begin by doing some serious house cleaning. No, bed bugs don’t only infest dirty homes; even clean homes can become infested. However when an infestation occurs, most methods of control involves cleaning. Start by washing the bedding and vacuuming the mattress and box spring thoroughly. Wash all bedding in hot water, and dry them in high heat. Heat kills the eggs, nymphs and adults. After cleaning the bed, vacuum the rest of the room and in odd places. Clean underneath furniture such as night stands, around dressers, and in the cracks of floor boards, windows and door trim. These are places where bedbugs will hide. Also wash curtains and other exposed linens as they like to hide on fabrics. Again, wash and dry with heat. It is also recommended you have rug and carpets professionally cleaned. Make sure you don’t just focus cleaning in the bedrooms. Bedbugs are often found throughout the home. The bedroom is the most common place followed by the living room, but they can inhabit just about anywhere inside the home. After you’re done with your cleaning you will also want to seek the help of a professional pest control service that is licensed in bedbug control. They can inspect and control bedbugs, ridding your home of any survivors. However you can seek the help of a professional first and then do you house cleaning afterwards. Either way this is the best way to eliminate bedbugs.
Bed Bug Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
If you have brought bed bugs home and need help ridding yourself of this pest, contact A-Tex Pest Management to get rid of them. We offer thorough bed bug inspections and effective bed bug control.