Bed bugs are a major problem in the U.S., causing itching, rashes, and psychological trauma, as well as millions of dollars of damage to household goods and furniture every year. While you can certainly go through the process of doing it yourself, using bed bug control services is the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs for good.
Here are some benefits of bed bugs control services that you should consider when thinking about how to deal with your infestation.
How do you identify a bed bug infestation?
The first step in identifying a bed bug infestation is to look for the bugs themselves. Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are often found in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards. If you see bed bugs, it’s important to contact a professional bed bug control service immediately.
What are the treatments for bed bugs?
The most common treatment for bed bugs is to use insecticides. These insecticides can be in the form of aerosables, like sprays, or they can be residual, like powders. If you have a severe infestation, you may need to combine treatments. For example, you might use an insecticide to get rid of the bugs and then follow up with a heat treatment to make sure all the eggs are killed.
It’s important to remember that while there are many products on the market that claim to work, not all of them do. It’s a good idea to research your choices before you purchase. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a list of bed bug insecticides that have been proven safe and effective in killing bed bugs.
How can you prevent bed bug infestations?
The best way to prevent bed bugs is to avoid infested areas altogether. However, if you must go into an infested area, take some precautions. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts. If possible, tuck your pants into your socks so that bed bugs can’t crawl up your legs. Put your shoes in a plastic bag before you enter the infested area.
This will keep bed bugs from crawling into your shoes and hitching a ride home with you. Avoid bringing items such as clothes, furniture or books from the infested area into your own home. Avoid carrying anything from the infested area in open bags or boxes where they might be seen by others who could unknowingly pick them up and carry them elsewhere. Clean any luggage you may have brought back immediately upon returning home to kill any hitchhiking bed bugs that might be hiding inside.
How do you get rid of bed bugs when they invade your home?
You could try to get rid of them yourself, but that’s a difficult and time-consuming task. Plus, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up making the problem worse. That’s where bed bug control services come in. A professional exterminator will know how to get rid of the bugs quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to your life.
For example, professionals often use heat treatment to get rid of bed bugs. It’s safe for both you and your pets, so you don’t have to worry about any side effects. They also work quickly, so you can get back to your regular routine sooner. That’s what most people want when they’re dealing with bed bugs, after all – a quick resolution that doesn’t make them throw their lives out of whack.
