What are Bed Bugs?

Cimex lectularius, also known as the common bed bug, feeds exclusively on blood. Small and often reddish or brown in color, bed bugs are flightless insects that travel from one place to another on clothes, in luggage, on furniture, or in small spaces in computer bags or purses. Once they have infested a home, they quickly reproduce making them extremely difficult to exterminate. Usually, by the time you begin experiencing bed bug bites, it is too late to prevent a full-blown infestation.

How Can I Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation?

When it comes to bed bugs, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When you travel, store luggage in the bathroom, rather than on the floor until you perform a thorough inspection of your room. If you find any rust colored stains on the underside of the mattress or box spring, in the corners of the rooms where you would normally find cobwebs, or where the carpet meets the wall, contact the front desk immediately and request to be moved to another room. When you return home from a business trip, remove your clothing immediately from your luggage and launder it. The heat from the dryer will kill any bed bugs and their eggs that may have hitched a ride home. Also, store your luggage in a garbage sack outside until it has been exposed to 118 degree heat for at least 90 minutes before bringing it inside of your home.

How do I know if I have a bed bug problem?

One of the tell-tale signs that you have a bed bug problem is if you are bit by the insects themselves. Since they rely on blood to reproduce, they will tend to feast on the closest thing to them. While bed bugs are often found living in mattresses and box springs, they can live on any soft surface. Couches, carpets, and armchairs can all be infested with the parasitic bugs. If you discover red, swollen, itchy bumps on your skin without any explanation, you may have been bitten by bed bugs. Call us immediately for a bed bug inspection. The sooner you act, the better the outcome.