Whether you’ve dealt with them yourself or know someone who has, bed bugs are an unfortunate reality many of us face at some point. These tiny pests can cause major stress and sleepless nights, but the best way to protect your home and family is through awareness. Understanding how bed bugs behave and how they spread allows you to take quick, confident action to prevent an infestation. Since they can travel from place to place so easily, the first line of defense starts with you.
Here are some of the most common bed bug FAQ we receive:
What do bed bugs look like?
One of the most common questions we get in our bed bug FAQ is about what bed bugs actually look like. Adult bed bugs are brown and about the size of a flat apple seed, growing up to a quarter of an inch long. Younger bed bugs, also known as nymphs, tend to be yellowish or translucent with a dark, squiggly line running down their abdomen. Their eggs are nearly clear and so tiny they’re often missed without trained eyes and proper lighting.
How did I get bed bugs?
Did you recently:
- Have anyone stay at your home?
- Stay in a hotel, rental home or cabin?
- Travel out of state or out of the country?
- Buy or rent second hand furniture?
- Bring home something from a garage sale?
- Host a party where guests put purses and coats on your bed?
- Dumpster dive and bring home items that were thrown out?
- Use public transportation, taxi cabs, buses, etc.?
- Move into an apartment? Did the landlord mention previous issues?
These are all common ways people unknowingly bring bed bugs into their homes. As you’ll see in any thorough bed bug FAQ, these pests are expert hitchhikers. They can latch onto purses, luggage, briefcases, and other personal items. Once inside, they hide in small cracks, the seams of furniture, or deep within mattress weaves—anywhere they can stay close to their next blood meal: you.
Can bed bugs make you sick?
One of the most common concerns we hear in our bed bug FAQ is just how stressful an infestation can be. Bed bugs invade the most personal space in your home: your bed. Getting bitten frequently can take a serious toll on your well being. Scratching the bites may lead to irritation or even infection. The reassuring news is that while bed bugs are a major nuisance, they are not poisonous and they are not known to carry diseases.
Do bed bugs live in beds only?
While bed bugs are most often found in beds, our bed bug FAQ reveals that they can also hide in many other places. These pests may be tucked away in nightstands, picture frames, curtain folds, tags on blankets, or even inside electrical outlets. They usually stay within 15-20 feet of their food source, venturing onto the bed to feed and then retreating to cracks and crevices to hide and reproduce. Because they are flat, they can easily slip in and out of the tiniest spaces, making them hard to spot without a close inspection.
The dark flecks that resemble pepper in this picture are bed bug fecal deposits. This was a heavy infestation.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
If you’re wondering how to get rid of bed bugs yourself, I’m sorry to break it to you, but bed bugs are NOT A DIY pest. Sure, you may come across products in home improvement stores claiming they can kill bed bugs. They might work if you spray the bug directly, but the reality is that you’ll only be getting rid of about 1% of the entire population causing the problem.
Bed bugs breed quickly. When they’re not feeding on you, they’re busy having babies. If you spot one, there are likely a dozen more nearby. Without the proper tools and knowledge, treating a bed bug problem on your own is rarely effective.
The sooner you get a professional to help, the better your chances of eliminating them will be. If you suspect you may have bed bugs, don’t keep wondering. Get a free inspection from one of our experts.
What’s the best way to get rid of bed bugs?
Pest control companies use a variety of methods to tackle bed bug problems. Some rely on professional bed bug control products, while others use heat treatment equipment. There are also companies that utilize cryogenic freezing, and some even have specially trained bed bug sniffing dogs to detect activity. Each method has its time and place. Our company offers several of these solutions because we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to pest problems.
To figure out the best way to get rid of bed bugs in your specific situation, it’s a good idea to get at least two opinions. This way, you can educate yourself on the available options and make an informed decision based on your needs.
Why is it so expensive to get rid of bed bugs? Is it that difficult?
Bed bugs are incredibly resilient and can live for several months without feeding. These tough pests can survive a wide range of temperatures, from nearly freezing to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s far tougher than a cockroach! Their ability to breed constantly, combined with their hardiness, makes it difficult to get rid of them. Treatment requires careful attention to detail to identify all potential hiding and breeding spots. Depending on the method used, bed bug treatments can cost anywhere from $600 to over $1500. Factors like the level of infestation, how cluttered the rooms are, and how many rooms are affected all impact the cost of treatment.
