Despite the saying, “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite” no one sleeps tight knowing there’s unwelcome bedfellows. Knowing when to treat for bedbugs (as soon as you see one) is a no-brainer, but there may be more to identifying bed bugs than you know. With proper identification of your target pest being your fastest ticket to effective bed bug treatments, it’s important to rule out other pests that may be posing as bed bugs.
Fleas, Ticks, and Bed Bugs, Oh My!
When inspecting your home to determine if you have bed bugs, there are characteristics of these creepy little pests that distinguish them from similar household pests, such as fleas and ticks.
- Length: approximately 3/16 to 1/4 inch long, similar in size to an apple seed
- Brown coloration
- Flat, oval body when unfed, balloon-like and longer in length after feeding
- Active mainly at night
- Sweet, musty odor, especially in large populations
- Prefers human blood to pets
- Susceptible to temperature extremes, will die at 113 degrees
Although bed bugs don’t carry diseases, bites from them can cause considerable discomfort and itching, as well as one of the most unsettling feelings known to man. Fleas and ticks on the other hand, can spread various serious or life-threatening diseases.
How to Begin with Bed Bug Treatments
After definitive identification, the first step in treating for bed bugs is inspecting your entire home to assess the size of your bed bug population and where they are the most concentrated. This is done by a professional pest control company for the most thorough inspection to ensure that all bases are covered when treatment is performed.
Although bed bugs are found anywhere within 8 feet of where a person commonly rests or sleeps, their populations can sprawl into other areas of your home. Prominent bed bug havens include:
- Bed linens, mattresses, box springs
- Curtains, behind peeling wallpaper
- In and under carpeting
- Cracks in wood, such as furniture or hardwood floors
- Piles of clothing
Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs
There are plenty of home remedies for bed bug treatments floating around the web, from mint leaves to rubbing alcohol, and baking soda to boric acid. You don’t want to rest on your laurels with bed bugs, however. They can rapidly infest your home while you test out ineffective treatments before finding one that really works. Your best bet for killing bed bugs for good is to seek the help of a professional pest control service.
One simple, but innovative method for getting rid of bed bugs is the use of extreme heat and is offered by the best pest control Charleston has to offer. Exclusive Pest Control Charleston provides heat treatments that will kill all the bed bugs Charleston, SC has to offer within hours, as well as their eggs, and can reach into areas that chemicals can’t. Additionally, 95 percent of the time, you won’t need a second treatment and can keep your mattress and furniture with peace of mind. For more information about how to get rid of your bed bugs, contact us to schedule an inspection.