Heat Treatment

The worst type of bed bug is known as the Cimex lectularius, or the common bed bug because it’s resistant to many insecticides. It can live for up to a year without eating and reproduce quickly. It often goes unnoticed because it only comes out to feed at night.

The best control for ants depends on the type of ants you have. For example, carpenter ants are best controlled with baits, while fire ants are best controlled with pesticides.

If you believe you have bed bugs, please let us know so that we can conduct an inspection of your home. Bed bugs are difficult to remove, therefore it is critical to hire a professional. Our highly trained experts will collaborate with you to create a treatment strategy that works best for you.

Bed bugs can move quickly, but they do not jump. They can travel quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings, but they cannot fly or jump. Bed bugs are often mistaken for other insects, such as fleas, cockroaches, and ants. If you think you have bed bugs, it is important to contact a professional to get rid of them before they reproduce and spread.

Under optimal conditions, with regular access to blood meals, a bed bug can live anywhere from 6 to 12 months. However, in the absence of food, these insects can go into a dormant state and survive for several months. During their lifetime, female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs, which allows for rapid population growth if not managed or eradicated.

Bed bugs can indeed spread through clothes. These pests are expert hitchhikers, easily clinging onto garments when someone is in an infested area. When these infested clothes are transported to new locations, bed bugs can migrate and establish themselves in new surroundings. For instance, if a person visits an infested hotel room and bed bugs latch onto their clothing, they can unknowingly transport these bugs to their home. To prevent this spread, it’s recommended to wash suspected clothes in hot water and dry on high heat, as heat effectively kills bed bugs and their eggs.

Bed bug bites typically manifest as small, red, raised or flat welts on the skin. They are often itchy and can become swollen or inflamed. One distinguishing feature of bed bug bites is their pattern; they often appear in a line or cluster, as if the bug has bitten the individual multiple times while moving. This pattern is sometimes referred to as “breakfast, lunch, dinner.” It’s worth noting that reactions to bed bug bites can vary significantly among individuals. Some people may not exhibit any visible signs or symptoms, while others might experience an allergic reaction leading to larger red, swollen areas or even blisters. Additionally, the bites can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to appear, making it sometimes challenging to pinpoint when or where the exposure occurred.

Yes, there are methods and substances that can kill bed bugs nearly instantly or within a very short time frame. Here are a few:

1. Heat: Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat. If exposed to temperatures of 118°F (48°C) or higher for 90 minutes or more, they will die. Many professional exterminators use heat treatments, where they raise the temperature in a room or entire home to these lethal levels to kill bed bugs in all life stages. Portable heaters and fans are used to heat the room to about 135°F (57°C) for several hours, ensuring the heat penetrates all potential hiding spots.
2. Cold: While heat is more commonly used, extreme cold can also kill bed bugs. They begin to die when exposed to temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) for at least four days. However, this method might be less practical for many people, especially for treating larger areas.
3. High-proof Alcohol: Rubbing alcohol (90% or higher) can kill bed bugs on contact. However, it doesn’t have long-lasting residual effects, so it’s only effective when directly sprayed on the bugs. Due to its flammability, it should be used with caution.
4. Direct Steam: Steam cleaners emitting a high-temperature jet of steam can kill bed bugs almost instantly upon contact. This method is especially effective for treating mattresses, furniture, and other areas where bed bugs are likely to be hiding.

It’s important to note that while these methods can kill bed bugs on contact or within a short time frame, addressing a full-blown infestation often requires a combination of treatments and a more comprehensive approach. Always take safety precautions when using any treatment, and when in doubt, consult with a pest control professional.

Yes, you can see bed bugs on your bed. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed (4-5 mm in length) and have a reddish-brown, flat, oval-shaped body. Nymphs (younger bed bugs) are smaller and can be translucent to light yellow, making them harder to spot, especially against light-colored sheets. Common signs of bed bugs on a bed include:

1. Live bed bugs: Crawling around seams, folds, and crevices of the mattress, box spring, and bed frame.
2. Dark, rusty spots: These are bed bug feces and can be found on sheets, mattresses, and surrounding areas.
3. Reddish stains: Resulting from crushed bed bugs.
4. Tiny eggs and eggshells: About 1mm in size and pale yellow.
5. Shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they molt and shed their skins.

Regularly inspecting your bed, especially if you’ve travelled or suspect exposure, can help detect and address infestations early. Using a flashlight and magnifying glass can aid in spotting these pests and their signs.