Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bug Removal

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE BED BUGS?

A physical sample of an actual bug or egg is required to be 100% certain that you have bed bugs.

Bed Bug bite symptoms are a good indicator but cannot be diagnosed with 100% certainty. Medical professionals cannot give a positive diagnosis simply by examining bite symptoms.

There is a very good chance you have bed bugs if you keep repeatedly waking up each morning with bite symptoms on your body that were not present when you went to sleep. However, if bites occur at various times of the day in various locations such as at home, in the car, at work, etc. bed bugs are much less likely to be the cause of them.

Another primary clue to a bed bug infestation will be the presence of bed bugs and/or small red to reddish brown fecal spots here and there on surfaces.

HOW DID WE GET BED BUGS?

Bed bugs can be introduced into a structure via used furniture or in the belongings of someone who has been living in a bed bug infested situation. Bed bugs like to travel and are the best hitchhikers and will hide in suitcases, boxes and shoes to be near a food supply.

COMMON HIDING PLACES

Bed bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices close to where humans rest and sleep. You may find them behind baseboards, upholstery, and in furniture crevices. Other places to check are wall hangings such as picture frames, nightstands, stuffed furniture, floorboard cracks, behind loose wallpaper, light switches, door and window frames, conduits, etc. In heavy infestations, you may find bed bugs in wall voids, attics, and other enclosed places.

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

Bed bugs are elusive, nocturnal creatures that come out at night to feed exclusively on blood. They are very resilient and may live up to 12 months without a blood meal. Contrary to popular belief, poor sanitation does not cause bed bugs. Bed bugs are not limited to the bed or the bedroom but instead will disperse throughout a dwelling. Bed Bugs will crawl considerable distances to obtain a blood meal.

Most people research or ask “How can I rid Bedbugs from my home, myself?”, and although  the answer is not what you want to hear, it’s the one I have to educate you on. 

Here are a few questions we get asked: 

Q: Does Alcohol kill bedbugs? 

A: If sprayed directly sometimes (I’ve seen them walk away after being sprayed), but that’s not  the solution, the solution is killing the eggs, which are hard to find. 

Q: Does bedbug spray and foggers at the stores work to kill them and the eggs? 

A: NO –  Why I say that, because customers that call us have already tried DYI  products…. Even people using DYI foggers have been unsuccessful. 

NOTE: Bedbugs have become real adaptable to chemicals, research have found that they’ve  even become 5X more adaptable to a chemical called DDT, a chemical used in the 20th  Century to eradicate Bedbugs. 

Q: Is there Home remedies I can use? 

A: I’ve heard from Alcohol, Lavender to Baking powder….. and all have been ineffective. 

Q: What is the best way to kill bedbugs? 

A: Well first of all, call a professional bed bug exterminator, look at reviews, and do your research. As mentioned  earlier, Chemicals are becoming more and more less effective, and to add it takes numerous  visits. Where as Heat can be done in one day and is the most effective…..primarily cause it  permeates and penetrates the area. 

Q: Will they come back after treatment? 

A: That depends on you, be aware of where you sit and where you place your belongings when  traveling. Sometimes people visit, and that situation is hard in it’s self (you get the picture). We all know what we should do, most of us just don’t do it. 

Q: How can I prevent a bed bug infestation? 

A: Very hard to answer, we all want to live life without constantly looking over our shoulder ( in  this case, under our seat). But the one thing I can tell you, is to make sure you wash bedding  frequently, this way as you are removing the bedding, you can look out for any evidence of  bed bugs, and handle it before it gets out of control. 

Also try not to have a lot of clutter, although it’s NOT the hygiene that attract them, it gives  them more places to hide until they get HUNGRY! 

Q: Do Bed Bugs Carry Diseases? 

A: As far as research shows, NO……”I STILL DON’T WANT THEM BITTING ME”! 

Q: How do I find a Bed bug Exterminator? 

A: REVIEWS! What people said about them will most likely have you say the same thing. Do a Google Search for Bed Bug Exterminators Near Me or Bed Bug removal services and read reviews until you find a suitable Bed Bug extermination service.

Q: Are bedbugs only on mattresses, head boards and furniture? 

A: Bed bugs can be anywhere, although very lazy pests that like to be by their food source, they  can be absolutely everywhere. Light sockets, vents, Shoes, Lamps….CARS! And unless you  live in southern California in the summer, you might have them in the car. I say that because in  southern California in a car, the heat can get up to 160+ when off and just sitting. 

Q: How do I wash my bedding and clothes? 

A: Hot Wash, and Hot Dry….. 

REAL IMPORTANT NOTE: When washing infested bedding or clothes DO NOT BRUSH UP  AGAINST THEM! 

1) Place washables in Bags 

2) Wash immediately 

3) Throw bag away immediately 

4) Make sure they are placed in a NEW bag until area is fully treated ( Most cases, heat  treatment is done first then washing is suggested) 

I would like to end on this note, having bed bugs is an extremely tough experience, mentally  and physically. People tell me all the time they can’t sleep, they always feel that they have bugs  on them. Well, the one thing I want to emphasize on is PLEASE do your research and find a  Professional Bed Bug Exterminator with good reviews, you know what they say about first impressions! 

Good Luck, Stay Safe. 

Bed Bug Seekers