Information

SO, YOU THINK YOU’VE GOT BED BUGS?

For many decades bed bugs were not a common bug here in the US. However, as more and more people travel to countries where bed bugs are common, they began showing up here in the early 1990’s.

They’re scientific name is Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). First, let’s make sure they’re bed bugs as they are often mistaken for other types of bugs. Our professional bedbug experts will identify them for you.

Don’t be ashamed if you get bed bugs, anyone can get them. They don’t care if you’re clean or dirty and since bed bugs feed on warm blood, we humans are perfect hosts for their midnight snack.

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

 
Since bed bugs are so small its hard to tell where you got them. They often enter your home undetected through clothing, used furniture, clothing, etc.

You can pick them up by sitting in a public chair, in a public transportation vehicle like buses, taxis, rental car, train, airplane, etc.

You may have gotten them at a hotel you stayed at or someone who spent the night at your home or sat on your couch.
They can be picked up by shopping at secondhand stores or by spending time in any large community setting, laundromat, church, etc.
If you live in shared wall environments like townhomes or apartments, a surrounding neighbor may have them and they moved through the walls into your dwelling.

They’ve even been spread in work environments when someone has them at home and brings them in to their place of work on their clothing or duffel bag.

BEDBUGS SIGNS:

Bed bugs leave telltale signs of blood smears, feces and cast skins in and around their feeding and harborage areas. If you’ve had bed bugs for a while, you can find buildup of feces and cast skins in mattress piping, baseboards, headboards and other areas as the infestation grows.

 HEALTH IMPACT:

 
Bed bugs suck blood from their host through piercing mouth parts. Luckily bed bugs do not carry diseases and their bites are usually painless. Although some people may experience an irritated or inflamed bite mark, a small swelling and itchy spot, others can experience a number of health impacts that include rashes, blisters and other allergic symptoms.

BEDBUG HABITS AND BEHAVIOR:

 
Bed bugs do not jump. They crawl from one area to another about as fast as an ant. They can hide in crevices of clothing, furniture, bedding and luggage.

They feed every 5 to 7 days so if you or someone in your home is being bitten daily, its possible that you’ve had them a while and they have built up to an infestation.

Normally, they will stay within the bed or resting area and don’t venture far from where they can find an easy bloodmeal. However, as the infestation grows, you can find them further and further from the resting areas.
They are drawn to our human smells especially CO2 that we expel when we sleep. The CO2 acts like a dinner bell to them. So, if you suspect bed bugs in your bed, don’t move to the couch to get away from them as they will follow you and spread the infestation to other parts of your home.