Bed bugs are extremely elusive insects and are one of the worst pests Connecticut residents can encounter in their homes. These bugs are most commonly known to hide in mattresses and box springs, but can also be found in couches, carpets and baseboards. These locations give them easy access to their sleeping hosts – you and your family.
How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny, reddish-brown bugs that measure about 1/4″ long. Their oval-shaped bodies are very flat, with a clearly visible head. Nymphs (as they are known in their immature stage) range in size from 1.3 millimeters to 5 millimeters in length, are translucent until their first blood meal, and are a reddish color after that.
Bed bug bites often go unnoticed- especially during peak feeding hours of the night (usually between 2–3 AM). However, there is nothing more unsettling than waking up to red, itchy bites all over your arms, legs, and body. This is a telltale sign of a bed bug infestation. To know if your home has been invaded by these pests, look out for the following clues:
- Live bed bugs: These insects are tiny, but still visible to the naked eye. Look for them on the bed frame, the box spring, and the headboard. If you find a live bed bug, save it so that it can be identified.
- Blood stains on your sheets.
- Bed bug fecal matter, which will look like a spot of black pepper and can often be found in the mattress tufts.
How Did Bed Bugs Get in My Home?
Aside from coming in with visitors and service people, bed bugs can hitch a ride home with you from public places and public transportation. We strongly recommend that you be bed bug-aware while you’re out and about – for example, don’t pick up used furniture, don’t stay with anyone who has had bed bugs, and remember to store your suitcase on the hotel’s luggage rack rather than on the floor.
Should I Use a Bed Bug Mattress Cover?
Bed bug mattress covers are sometimes effective, provided you have the right size cover for your mattress and have a cover for your box spring, too. Bed bugs are resourceful, though, and can get through even the tiniest hole in your mattress cover. Therefore, a mattress cover will usually not prevent a bed bug infestation.
FAQs: Bed Bug Extermination from Envirocare Pest Control
When is it time to call a bed bug exterminator?
Your best bet in preventing an infestation of bed bugs is to take swift action as soon as possible. Call Envirocare Pest Control as soon as you suspect that you may have bed bugs, or when you find bed bugs in your home. We don’t recommend that you try to treat this problem yourself- so call the Envirocare experts.
What happens during bed bug treatment?
For suspected cases of bed bugs, we begin with a full inspection of the home or unit(s) before providing you with a price quote. Many times, bed bug issues can be invisible to the naked eye. In these cases, any inspection by our technicians will be reinforced with a search by a certified bed bug dog.
The solution we suggest – and the cost – will vary depending on the severity of the infestation, size of the home, and other factors. To completely kill all bed bugs, some or all of the following methods may be needed:
- Preparation Service- Our technicians can help you prep with our limited approach preparation service. (Please call the office for further details.)
- Residual insecticides- applied in cracks and crevices around bedding, furniture, moldings, baseboards, and anywhere else that bed bugs hide.
- Steam Treatment- may be applied to hard-to-reach areas like in couches and chairs.
- Dust Treatment- Naturally occurring dusts may be used in wall cavities to kill and prevent movement of your bed bug problem.
Can my family and pets remain at home during bed bug treatment?
To keep your family members and pets safe- the home must be evacuated during any bed bug treatment. After treatment is complete, the home should be vacant for 1-2 hours or until the products have fully dried.
How long will it take for bed bug treatment to work?
The life cycle of bed bugs can be hard to control, and so the length of treatment time varies. In general, you should expect an initial service with at least 1-3 followup services every two weeks or until the problem is gone.
Bed bug control can be difficult, but Envirocare Pest Control’s methods have been proven to work. Our bed bug-certified technicians have the experience and knowledge to solve your bed bug problems quickly and efficiently. Call us at 888.879.6481 or contact us online to schedule a free inspection.