Bed Bug FAQ’s
Bed bugs do not cling to people but they can accidentally get caught up in our belongings. Because bed bugs readily hide in small crevices, they may accompany (as stowaways) in luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and other such objects. From there they can be introduced into a home, hotel, office, hospital, or any other buildings as well as modes of transportation. Sanitation is not a factor in whether you get bed bugs or not.
Once established, bed bugs tend to stay put but can spread due to any of the following:
• Being disturbed (i.e. disassembling furniture or incorrect pesticide application)
• A food shortage (i.e. no host) may cause them to migrate to neighboring rooms
• A shortage of harborage spaces may cause them to migrate to neighboring rooms
• Infested furniture dragged down a hall
• Vacuum cleaners used for multiple rooms
• Communal laundry machines
There is no way to prevent bed bugs entirely; however, experts agree that early detection is the best way to prevent them from establishing themselves. A bed bug dog is your best tool for early detection.
• Oval shaped and flat
• Six legs
• Two antennae
• Cannot fly
• Short, golden body hair
Bed bugs can hide just about anywhere; this is what makes detecting them so difficult. Typical hiding places are:
• Mattress seams
• Behind pictures
• Box springs
• In curtains
• Behind headboards
• Behind baseboards
• Bed frames
• Sofas – Night stands
• Along carpet edges
Yes, all bed bugs bite. They feed on blood every 3 days when a host is present. If a host is absent bed bugs can go “dormant” for up to a year.
Everyone reacts differently to bed bug bites but the typical reaction is small, red, raised, itchy bumps. It is important to note that roughly 70% of people do not react to bed bug bites. People can also experience a delay from the time they were bitten to the time it takes to react. This means you may not react to bites received the previous week until after you have returned home
Bed bugs can carry up to 28 human pathogens (disease causing agents). However, all studies conducted to date indicate that there is no evidence to suggest that bed bugs are capable of transferring disease from one person to another.
Bed bugs ex- posed to 113°F will die if they receive constant exposure to that temperature for 90 minutes or more. However, they will die within 20 minutes if exposed to 118°F. Interestingly, bed bug eggs must be exposed to 118°F for 90 minutes to reach 100% mortality.
A thorough inspection by a professional is the best way to be sure they are in fact bed bugs. Often we go out and find that it is fleas, spiders, or other insects.
The inspection process is simple. We will being inspecting all beds (mattress, box spring, head board, etc.) until we find a single bed bug. Once we find one, we automatically stop as to not disturb and spread the infestation further.
The heat treatment is a one day treatment designed to kill not only adult bed bug, but bed bugs in all life stages including their eggs. We heat the room up to approximately 135 degrees for 3-5 hours depending on the infestation.
Yes, We give a 60 day warranty on all treatments where the rooms were fully prepared. We also offer a bed bug preparation service is you are worried or are unable to prepare fully for the service.
Yes, dryers are a great resource to use to guarantee all clothes are free of live bed bugs and also their eggs. When you dry your clothes on high heat for a minimum of 20 minutes you can be sure those clothes will be free of bed bug activity.