BED BUGS

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are flat and round bugs that measure about a quarter-inch long. Reddish-brown in color, they have six legs and two antennae. 

These common pests don’t have wings, nor can they fly or jump. However, their slim profile lets them hide in the nooks and crannies of your home, be it in the seams of your mattresses or amongst stored clothing. 

Bed bugs go through five maturing “nymph” phases before they reach adulthood. At that point, the females can lay up to 200 eggs at a time! That means a bed bug infestation can quickly get out of hand. 

Bed bugs feed on blood from human hosts and some pets, so these creatures don’t make for good roommates. They’re attracted to blood, warmth, and carbon dioxide, which makes a sleeping human a bed bug magnet.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

No one likes bed bugs, but they’re not all that dangerous. 

Bed bugs take their blood meals from the exposed skin of sleeping hosts, leading to tiny bites on the face, neck, hands, and legs. They do this by inserting a sharp beak into the sleeping victim’s skin. Then, they gorge on the host’s blood for about five minutes until they’re full. 

It sounds vampiric and gruesome, but the bites aren’t serious. Bed bugs don’t carry diseases. However, multiple bites can lead to an allergic reaction that requires medical treatment in some. 

Plus, scratching bites can lead to a secondary skin infection. So, though the bugs aren’t carrying disease, the bites alone are enough reason to call a pest professional.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Many wrongly believe that bed bugs are attracted to dirt and that you see them in homes, apartments, or hotels where the housekeeping is second rate. However, bed bugs don’t have an affinity for unsanitary conditions. They just need a place to hide and a ready food source: humans. 

That means bed bugs can exist anywhere there are humans or other mammals to feed on, as long as there’s a hiding place nearby. 

Bed bugs could come home with you after vacation by hiding in your luggage. Or, they could cling to your clothes after a trip on the subway. They also like to hide in soft furniture, making second-hand sofas or chairs common culprits for bed bug infestations.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Bed bugs are slim enough to fit into spaces that are the width of a credit card. They like suitcases, clothing, bed frames, box springs, headboards, and mattresses. They also frequent used furniture, like secondhand beds or couches. 

Bed bugs won’t have a nest, but they do aggregate in mass. Where you see signs of one or a few, there are probably hundreds or thousands. 

You’ll know that you have bed bugs if you see any of the following: 

• papery, molted skins that look like popcorn kernels
• small, dark-colored droppings that stain your sheets or furniture
• bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcase 

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

Getting rid of bed bugs on your own is a challenge and often ends up being ineffective. You’re better off calling a pest control expert. 

Romney Pest Control offers the best pest control services in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston areas. Our experts have extensive pest control experience and provide reliable integrated pest management solutions. 

After a quick inspection, we can implement treatments that remove bed bugs from your property. Then with routine services, we can ensure they never come back. 

Keep in mind that bed bugs will develop a resistance to common pesticides over time. So, always involve a licensed pest professional like those at Romney Pest Control to ensure your extermination methods are effective. Reach out to us today for effective pest control solutions, including bed bug elimination.

How can I prevent bed bugs?

Keep bed bugs out of your house with the following bed bug prevention tips.

Exterior Tips

• Check used furniture or clothing for signs of bed bugs before taking them inside
• Keep luggage off of the floor when staying in hotels

Interior Tips

• Vacuum your bedroom frequently
• Use a tightly woven zippered cover for your mattress and box springs
• Keep your bedroom clutter-free
• Wash your bedding, clothing, and other linens (like curtains) in hot water and use the highest dryer setting
• Use a stiff brush to remove any eggs in your mattress seams before vacuuming it

Ray T.

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