Bed bug extermination is a task that requires time, effort, and persistence. Croach® Pest Control provides effective bed bug treatment when you need it most.
Are Bed Bugs Hard to Get Rid Of?
The quick answer is YES. According to an National Pest Management Association survey, 76 percent of bed bug treatment professionals rate bed bugs as the most challenging pest to exterminate!
They are especially difficult when you rely on do-it-yourself methods.
These resilient and elusive pests hide in the tiniest of cracks and crevices. And, they’ve been parasitizing humans as far back as ancient Egypt – 3,300 years ago!
What's the Best Way to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
Best practices for bed bug treatment require professional pest control service along with diligent follow up from the homeowner.
What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?
Home remedies include vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and the application of heat or steam.
While any of those solutions might kill some bed bugs, they won’t discourage eggs from hatching or kill bugs that are hiding.
The EPA has approved more than 300 bed bug pesticide products! These chemicals fall into eight classes based on their mode of action.
- A desiccant like boric acid or diatomaceous earth penetrates and destroys the insects’ exoskeleton, drying them out.
- Insect growth regulators block a juvenile bug from developing into adulthood, and therefore unable to reproduce.
- Pyrethrins, from chrysanthemum flowers, can flush bed bugs out of hiding and kill them.
- Cold-pressed neem oil is effective against eggs and nymphs (baby bed bugs).
- Total release foggers using a synthetic form of pyrethrin are not enough alone to exterminate an infestation.
As you can see, it takes knowledge and experience to know when to apply or not apply each kind of bed bug treatment in order to successfully eradicate bedbugs. And note, some of these products are only available to trained professional pest control technicians.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Adult bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects with flat bodies and six legs. After feeding, they swell up and turn darker in color.
Eggs and Stains
Nymph
Adult
How Big are Bed Bugs?
Adult bed bugs are approximately 4 to 5 millimeters in length, which is roughly the size of an apple seed. However, newly hatched nymphs are much smaller and translucent.
What Do Eggs and Babies Look Like?
Bed bug eggs are tiny, about 1 millimeter in size, and are white or translucent. They resemble small grains of rice.
Baby bed bugs, known as nymphs, are also small and translucent. As they feed and mature, they gradually become darker in color.
What Other Bugs Look Like Bed Bugs?
There are several insects that can be mistaken for bed bugs. Some common examples include carpet beetles, bat bugs, and certain species of mites. While these insects may resemble bed bugs to a degree, their behavior, and preferred habitats are different. It’s best to consult a professional for proper identification.
What are the Signs Of Bed Bugs?
Common signs you may need bed bug treatment include:
- Red, itchy bites on the skin, often in a line or cluster.
- Bloodstains on sheets or pillowcases resulting from crushed bed bugs.
- Dark or rusty spots of bed bug excrement on bedding or nearby surfaces.
- A sweet, musty odor in severe infestations. This odor is often described as a sickly-sweet scent.
These signs may indicate the presence of bed bugs, but it's important to note that not everyone exhibits visible bite marks or allergic reactions to bed bug bites.
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, it's advisable to conduct a thorough inspection or seek professional assistance for proper identification.
Bites
Exoskeletal Debris
Stains on Furniture
How To Know If You Have an Infestation?
To determine if you have a bed bug problem, you can look for the signs mentioned earlier, such as bloodstains on bedding, dark excrement spots, or a sweet, musty odor.
Additionally, inspecting your mattress, box springs, bed frame, and nearby furniture for live bed bugs or their molted exoskeletons can provide evidence of an infestation.
If you find any signs, it's recommended to consult a pest control professional for confirmation and appropriate treatment.
How To Protect Your Home and Prevent Bed Bugs?
To protect your home from bed bugs, you can take the following preventive measures:
- Inspect secondhand furniture, mattresses, and other items before bringing them into your home.
- When traveling, check hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs and keep your luggage elevated and away from the bed and furniture.
- Use protective mattress covers designed to prevent bed bugs from infesting your mattress and box springs.
- Reduce clutter in your home, as it provides hiding places for bed bugs.
- Regularly vacuum your home, paying close attention to cracks, crevices, and other potential hiding spots.
- Be cautious when visiting places with known bed bug infestations, and take necessary precautions to avoid bringing them home.
- If you suspect a bed bug infestation, promptly seek professional help to prevent the problem from worsening.
- Implementing these prevention strategies can significantly reduce the risk you'll need bed bug treatment in your home.
Get Rid of Bed Bugs
These tiny bloodsuckers can wreak havoc in your home or commercial space. However, removing them is a task that requires time, effort, and persistence.
Because bed bugs reproduce quickly and have a high mobility rate, consistent and regular bed bug treatment is required to stay on top of them.
Croach® Pest Control has years of experience in managing bed bugs. We start with a site inspection to identify the hotspots.
Then we recommend the best treatment and preventive measures for your situation. Click the button below to get a free bed bug inspection.
Croach® Pest Control Service Area
Seattle, WA (with branch offices in Mukilteo, Sumner, Kirkland, Tacoma, and Mount Vernon. Tri-Cities, WA (located out of Kennewick). Portland, OR (with a shop in Beaverton). Spokane, WA (headquartered in Post Falls, ID). Kooskia and Lewiston, ID. Boise, ID. Denver, CO with offices in Aurora and Frederick. Salt Lake City, UT (operating out of Sandy). Columbia, SC and Greenville, SC.