Bed Bugs
Most pest control professionals agree that the resilient and persistent Bed Bug is the most problematic pest to eradicate. Though they are most commonly reported in single-family homes, apartment complexes, and hotels, they can be found in virtually any private or public space, including homeless shelters, hospitals, and public transportation.
Like the durable roach, Bed Bugs have a propensity for survival. They require blood to survive but can live for several months without a meal when necessary. Moreover, they can endure the harshest environments, including nearly freezing temperatures. Even after periods of extended vacancy, uninhabited rooms may host them. Take extra care during the summer season, as transitions from college lodgings and vacation sites to residential homes lead to increased sightings. Infestations are often encouraged by travel and nomadic lifestyles.
Bed Bugs seek only warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide, and they do not care if your place is clean or dirty. Looking for them in their usual hiding spots in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards is often not enough. They squeeze into some of the most unlikely spaces, such as picture frames, electrical switches, and fluorescent light bulbs. Always check for Bed Bugs when bringing foreign objects into your home, especially after traveling to unfamiliar places or adopting pre-used furniture.
Infestation Identification
Bed Bugs are fast to spread and exceptionally difficult to exterminate. Thanks to their reproductive capabilities, any delays in pinpointing an infestation can quickly cause it to get out of hand. Female Bed Bugs produce over 500 eggs in their lifetime, laying anywhere from 1 to 5 eggs every day. Though they prefer nocturnal activity, their opportunistic nature drives them to appear whenever a meal presents itself—even in the middle of the day. Allow them 3 to 10 minutes with a warm-blooded victim, and they will become engorged, resulting in a reddish tint to their otherwise mahogany coloring.
The average homeowner commonly misidentifies a Bed Bug problem as they can be easily confused with fleas. Eighty-four percent of pest control professionals have had their services rendered for unrelated issues for which Bed Bugs ended up being the true culprit. At ¼ of an inch long, adults are typically large enough to be visible to the human eye; however, nymphs are notably smaller, ranging from 1.33 to 5 mm. While itchy bites may be a sure sign of an infestation, such marks can take as long as 14 days to show, allowing them to spread before you can get ahead of the problem. Though they prefer the convenience of living within 8 feet of a sleeping meal ticket, they can crawl as fast as a ladybug, sometimes traveling over 100 feet in a single night.
Challenges With Bed Bug Eradication
Unlike other pests, Bed Bugs are not deterred by store-bought pesticides. Certain populations in the United States have even developed resistances and require special treatment. The National Pest Management Association cautions against do-it-yourself extermination strategies and recommends that property owners hire a licensed pest professional. The experts at Blast Pest Control excel at using the appropriate measures to help you maintain an itch-free environment where no bug feels welcome. Call us today and be prepared for a peaceful night’s sleep.