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How do I check for bed bugs?

How do I check for bed bugs?

Checking for bed bugs involves a thorough inspection of your sleeping areas, primarily the bed and surrounding furniture. Use a bright flashlight to examine the seams, folds, and undersides of mattresses, box springs, and pillows. Look closely at bed frames, headboards, and bedside tables, especially within cracks and crevices. Bed bugs leave behind small, reddish-brown bugs (ranging from the size of a pinhead to an apple seed), tiny white eggs, rust-colored stains from crushed bugs, and black or brown fecal spots. While the bed is a primary hotspot, also inspect chairs, sofas, and other furniture pieces. If you suspect an infestation, it’s advisable to seek professional pest control assistance.

Professional pest control experts utilize a combination of training, experience, specialized tools, and sometimes even trained animals to check for bed bugs. Here’s a brief overview of their approach:

  1. Visual Inspection: Professionals begin with a meticulous visual inspection, similar to the one described earlier, but with more practiced eyes. They check all the typical hiding places, including beds, furniture, and even less obvious spots.
  2. Use of Tools: A professional might use tools like magnifying glasses, probes, and flashlights to inspect tight crevices, seams, and folds in furniture and bedding. Some might even use sticky traps in strategic areas to capture wandering bed bugs.
  3. Bed Bug Detection Dogs: Some professionals use specially trained dogs to sniff out bed bug infestations. These dogs are trained to detect the scent of live bed bugs and their eggs. Their acute sense of smell allows for rapid and accurate detection, especially in large areas.
  4. Monitoring Devices: These are devices placed in potential bed bug hotspots, designed to trap or lure in and capture bed bugs. They can be passive (relying on bed bugs’ natural behavior) or active (using heat or CO2 to attract bed bugs).
  5. Use of Heat: Some professionals use portable heaters and sensors to raise room temperatures, drawing bed bugs out of hiding spots. This method is more commonly used for eradication, but it can also reveal infestation areas.
  6. Professional Experience: Experienced pest control experts are trained to identify the signs of bed bugs, such as fecal spots, eggs, and shed skins. They can often spot signs of an infestation that might be overlooked by the untrained eye.
  7. Consultation: After the inspection, professionals will discuss their findings, recommend a course of action if bed bugs are present, and provide advice on prevention.

While DIY inspections can be effective, professionals offer a more comprehensive and accurate assessment, especially in cases of minor or challenging-to-detect infestations. If you suspect a bed bug problem, it’s often wise to get a professional opinion to ensure you’re addressing the issue thoroughly.

Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs can come from anywhere and they can be hard to get rid of without professional help.

Professional Pest Control Services

Don't let bugs take over - call Birch Fumigators today! Get a Free Estimate (Within the Edmonton Area). Go with the best pest control company Edmonton.

Professional Pest Control Services

Don't let bugs take over - call Birch Fumigators today! Get a Free Estimate (Within the Edmonton Area). Go with the best pest control company Edmonton.

Related FAQs

Yes, pests can build resistance to treatments over time, especially if the same pesticide is used repeatedly. This is why it’s important to use a variety of control methods and not to rely solely on pesticides for pest control. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches, which include a combination of chemical and non-chemical methods, are less likely to result in resistance and are often more effective in the long run. Regularly rotating the types of pesticides used and working with a professional pest control service can also help prevent resistance.

If you see pests after a treatment, don’t panic. It’s normal to see some pests shortly after treatment as they are driven out of their hiding places by the pesticides. However, if you continue to see pests a week or two after the treatment, or if the numbers don’t seem to be decreasing, you should contact your pest control provider. They can assess the situation and determine if additional treatments are necessary.

Preventing a bed bug infestation when travelling requires proactive measures to minimize the risk of encountering and bringing these pests back home. Firstly, it is advisable to research and choose accommodations with a reputation for cleanliness and proactive pest control practices. Upon arrival, inspect the room thoroughly, focusing on the bed, mattress, and nearby furniture. Look for signs of bed bugs, such as live bugs, dark stains, or shed skins. If any signs are found, request a room change away from the infested area. During your stay, keep your luggage elevated and away from the bed and furniture. Consider using luggage stands or placing luggage in sealed plastic bags for extra protection. After returning home, carefully inspect luggage and clothing before bringing them inside. Wash and dry all clothing on high heat to kill any potential bed bugs. By being vigilant and taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation while travelling.

Bed bugs commonly roam mattresses, bed frames, furniture, carpets, and other hiding spots. They also have the ability to travel from room to room by crawling through any cracks present in walls or entryways.

It is not recommended to sleep in another room if you have bed bugs. Bed bugs can travel and are not restricted to one room, so sleeping in another room will not prevent the spread of bed bugs. The best way to get rid of bed bugs is by calling a professional pest control company that provides extermination services to help keep your property pest-free.

Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye and can range in size from 1 to 7 mm. Bed bugs are usually reddish-brown in color and may be found hiding in small creases or cracks, such as mattress seams, behind wallpaper and headboards, and around furniture. If you think there might be a bed bug infestation, it’s important to call an exterminator right away.

BIRCH FUMIGATORS

est. 1900

Don't Let Bugs Get the Best of You

BIRCH FUMIGATORS

est. 1900

Don't Let Bugs Get the Best of You