If you have a bed bug problem in your home or place of work, you will want to know how to get rid of these pests for good. Routine pest inspection and learning how to avoid bed bugs in the first place will go a long way when an infestation is eradicated. A professional pest control service will have different treatment and maintenance options available to eliminate bed bug infestations and help you avoid one in the future.

Favorite Hiding Places For Bed Bugs

Bed bugs travel from surface to surface and hitch rides in that way. Making public spaces such as movie theaters, dressing rooms, and rides shares places to crawl from person to person. Bed bugs like to hide in small crevices and nooks, though they are drawn to areas where they can feed off humans, such as couches and mattresses. Bed bugs can hide in a space as small as a power outlet, a crack in a piece of furniture, or a USB port in a laptop, making them hard to find unless you know what you are looking for. Signs of bed bug infestations include seeing small red spots on your sheets and having bed bug bites. 

Bed Bug Treatment Options

There are a few ways to get rid of bed bugs, including treatment options that target bed bug eggs. Getting rid of the eggs is essential because if they are not eliminated, new bed bugs will hatch and continue the cycle.

Bed bugs and their eggs are vulnerable to high heat and will die after a period of exposure to certain temperatures.  A professional pest control service may offer heat treatments for your entire home, and can also steam clean surfaces such as carpet and mattresses to kill bed bugs on contact. Other options include chemical and non-toxic solutions that can get rid of these pests. 

 

bed bug inspection

 

Are The Treatment Options Permanent?

While a pest control service can permanently eliminate bed bug infestations, there is always a possibility of one happening again, due to factors outside of your control. There are, however, excellent preventative treatment options that provide coverage for up to a few months at a time, which are often used for hotels and other businesses in the hospitality industry. Long-term treatment options and routine pest inspections can give you peace of mind when it comes to bed bugs, and stop a problem in its tracks. 

 

How Did I Get Bed Bugs?

There are many ways you may have gotten bed bugs. Unsealed cracks in the walls of your home, buying second-hand or vintage clothes, furniture, or electronics are all common ways that bed bugs can enter your life. You may have picked up bed bugs while traveling or during a stay at a hotel, as bed bugs can easily crawl onto and into your luggage. Bed bugs are hitchhikers and travel from person to person, so going to public spaces or densely populated areas increases your chances of unknowingly picking up these pests. 

A Few Tips To Remain Bed Bug Free

Here are a few tips to avoid bed bugs: 

  • Do not bring your suitcase into your bedroom or living area
  • When returning from travel, dry your clothes and shoes in the dryer on high if possible 
  • Vacuum your suitcase and dispose of the vacuum lining outside of your home
  • Inspect second-hand furniture and other previously used items before bringing them into your home
  • Do not use moving blankets provided by a moving company
  • Seal any cracks in the interior or exterior walls of your home 

How We Can Help You

As experienced pest control professionals, we understand how frustrating it can be to have a bed bug problem, and we will do whatever it takes to get rid of it. Bed bug infestations only get worse if left untreated, and are not easy to take care of on your own without certain specialized equipment and expertise. If you are noticing signs of a bed bug problem, such as seeing exoskeletons or telltale rust-colored spots on your sheets, call Florida Environmental today. We are committed to excellence and stand by our 100% guarantee to take care of your pest control concerns.