How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Portland

Bed Bugs Near Portland - How to Get Rid of BedbugsPortland is ranked among the top 50 U.S. cities with the highest bed bug infestations. A home infested with bedbugs has nothing to do with cleanliness. Bed bugs feast on blood (human and animal) as their only food source.

Getting rid of bed bugs is a challenge. You may have tried over-the-counter pesticides or home remedies, but these tiny pests are nearly indestructible. In fact, some illnesses connected to DIY pest control are because of the misuse of chemicals.

Over the years, they have developed a resistance to toxins, including most pesticides, making bed bug extermination difficult, but not impossible.

Croach® provides licensed, experienced bed bug control services in Albany, Beaverton, Corvallis, Estacada, Gresham, Hillsboro, Longview, McMinnville, Portland, Ridgefield, Salem, and Vancouver.

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How to Check for Bed Bugs in Your Portland Area Home

An adult bedbug measures only 5 millimeters long - about the size of an eraser on a pencil or an apple seed. You can see them with the naked eye, but these pests conceal themselves in the light of day.

Bedbugs hide in dark crevices near where people sleep such as under couch cushions, the seams of a reclining chair, or beneath the mattress on your bed. As the population grows, they will spread 10 to 20 feet away to hide in nightstands, end tables, and baseboards.

It is easier to look for the signs of infestation:

  • Blood stains on your sheets, pillowcase, pajamas, mattress, bed frame, or walls.
  • Bed bug feces that appears as dark brown spots. Also look for egg casings and shed skin casings in seams, cracks, and crevices.
  • Itchy red bumps on your skin (bed bug bites) or frequent morning fatigue.

How to Stop Them from Entering Your House

Follow these tips from Croach and the Oregon Health Authority to avoid a bed bug infestation in the first place and to maintain a pest-free environment after we eradicate them.

  • Vacuum frequently to include all sides of your mattress, bed frame, and headboard. Use a crevice tool to reach cracks in baseboards and furniture, and the deep seams of couches and chairs.
  • Don’t place or store luggage, tote bags or purses, or other travel items in rooms or near areas where you sleep.
  • Clean regularly with soap and water, remove clutter, and watch for the signs, including feces and skin casings. The sooner you notice them, the easier it will be to destroy them.

Travel is linked to many bed bug infestations. Bedbugs hitch a ride home in your belongings or on your clothing. You can search for reports of them at Portland area hotels on the bedbugregistry.com or bedbugreports.com websites.

The Dangers They Cause

Bed Bug Bites - Portland Pest ControlThough bed bugs do not carry diseases, they still pose health risks.

  • Allergic reactions (from mild to severe) and secondary skin infections from itching the bed bug bites.
  • Sleep deprivation, insomnia, anxiety, stress, and depression also affect your mental health.
  • Your pets don’t know they should refrain from scratching bites, and will often scratch their skin until its raw and bleeding, causing infection.
  • These little bugger aggravate big things like asthma and other respiratory problems. They shed their skin casings and leave trails of feces, both of which dry out and become airborne.

Does Your Portland Home Have Bed Bugs?

Most DIY methods are not safe, such as spraying your body with insect repellent before bed. People try pest repellents meant for outside use that put your family at risk. Or bombs and foggers that only force them into harder-to-reach hiding places.

You can wash all of your bedding, clothing, and other fabrics at the highest heat setting for at least 20 minutes or seal them in plastic bags and freeze them. But this won’t exterminate the entire population.

Getting rid of bed bugs is a job for licensed professionals. Inspect your sleeping areas for signs and alert Croach® if you suspect an infestation.