I Think I Have Bed Bugs, What Should I Do?

Do you have that sinking feeling that you may be sharing your bed with some very unwelcome visitors? The time to take action is now. Bed bugs have made a big comeback in recent years, and they’re notoriously difficult squatters to evict. Turning their eradication into a DIY project will usually result in wasted time, money and effort. Here are some tips that may help you develop your plan of attack.

Are these things bed bugs?

Before you panic, establish that what you have is actually bed bugs. If you’re judging by whether you have bites, you should be aware that many environmental irritants can produce skin reactions that masquerade as bed bug bites. Allergies and other bugs can cause symptoms that may be similar, and everyone’s body reacts differently to them. It’s important to check for other signs of an infestation.

Have you noticed the presence of bed bugs in your sleeping area? What do they look like? Some other bugs can be easily mistaken for them. A young carpet beetle, though not necessarily resembling bed bugs, can be the right size and found around your bed. It’s a great idea to capture one or two of the insects you find and keep them in a pill bottle or other crush-proof container to show to a pest control professional for their evaluation.

So you’ve got bed bugs. Now what?

It seems obvious, but one thing you definitely do not want to do is move your bed linens or pillows into another room to sleep. That’s just going to spread the infestation more quickly. You’ll want to wash and dry these items at the highest, hottest setting your washer and dryer has. Bed bugs will not be able to withstand the heat.

You may find articles on the Internet touting “foolproof” or “guaranteed” DIY solutions for getting rid of bed bugs. The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” could not be more accurate in this situation. These pests are incredibly difficult to get rid of, and any advice involving the use of ammonia, bleach or even do-it-yourself heat treatments are ineffective and sometimes downright dangerous.

You may also read about using your vacuum to eradicate your problem. Although you can probably manage to get a lot of them sucked up, but you’re more than likely missing the eggs, and are putting other rooms at risk of infestation. The vacuum alone won’t kill them, and there may be some just waiting for the opportunity to jump out of the canister and into another room in your home.

Fully encasing your mattress in special cover is a great idea, but it won’t contain your entire problem.  You’re sure to miss a number of bed bugs who are hiding nearby, lying in wait.  An advantage to entombing a large portion of the bed bugs, a mattress cover is generally made with very few seams and are one solid color, making identifying leftover bugs easier.

Call a pest control professional for guaranteed results

Although there are a number of pest control projects you can attempt to do yourself with decent results, a bed bug infestation is not one of them. Ambassador Pest Management has over 25 years experience in the West Palm Beach area. Call today for a free, no obligation inspection. Your satisfaction is always guaranteed! 866-632-0088

Most effective pest control for getting rid of bed bugs in Stuart, FL

The pest control industry has seen an increase in the incidence of beg bugs across the United States, including here in Stuart, Florida. Bed bugs get their name from the fact that when living in peoples’ homes, they prefer to nest in warm, soft areas like sofas and beds. While human residences are not the only place they make their nests, homes are a preferred site because bed bugs live exclusively off the blood of warm-blooded animals.

They are visible to the naked eye, but you have to look closely to see them because even as adults they are only about the size of an apple seed. It is probably easier to detect them by observing the brown fecal discolorations, blood stains,  or molted skins they leave behind on sheets. They are extremely successful breeders, and can quickly produce a large colony in your home. While bites from bed bugs are not painful, they do leave a small puncture mark, and in homes where a sizable infestation has nested, there will be the potential for sustaining multiple bites. A serious pest control solution is a must.

Eliminating bed bugs in Stuart

Do-it-yourself pest control methods will generally have only a limited effect on trying to manage a bed bug infestation. They are small and very adept at hiding in dark cracks and crevices where they cannot be seen, especially when they feel threatened, so any attempt that involves visually locating them will probably not be very successful.

The pest control products which can be bought over the counter at a store generally are not intended for use specifically on bed bugs, but for insects in general, and these are also of limited usefulness. Even when a portion of the population is killed off, the rest will usually make a comeback because they are such prolific breeders and because they are situated in an environment which is ideal for them.

By far the best pest control method for complete elimination of bed bugs is to engage the services of a professional pest service. Professionals will first identify which kind of bugs are in your home, where they are nesting, and the size of the infestation. Then they will formulate a plan to eradicate the entire population with little or no disruption to your daily life.

Call Ambassador Pest Management to schedule a free inspection today. You can always count on getting a  highly qualified professional who is committed to providing exceptional, 100% guaranteed service  as well as superb customer care.