How to Tell If You Need Bed Bug Treatment

Bed bugs are reddish-brown parasitic insects roughly the size of an apple seed. They feed on the blood of humans and animals. Bed bugs can easily cause an infestation, but they’re not so easy to eliminate because they hide easily and reproduce quickly.

If you need bed bug control near Lexington, Kentucky, contact our team at PM Pest and Termite. We have the experience and tools necessary for effective bed bug treatment and prevention. But first, read on to learn some of the common signs of bed bugs and how they can be treated.

Signs of Bed Bugs

If you have a bed bug infestation, it becomes apparent quickly. Since bed bugs feast on blood until they’re engorged, one of the first signs is itchy red welts where they’ve bitten you.

From there, check the seams on your mattress or box xprings, or your fitted sheets. You’ll notice:

• Molted skins. Bed bugs shed their skins, so and you can find evidence of their little skins on your sheets or mattress, particularly if it’s a large or old infestation.
• Black or brown mounds where the bedbugs defecated, usually in groups of ten or more.
• Bed bugs congregate together in small crevices near the couch or bed where they can find a host. You can easily see adult bed bugs, but nymphs, newly hatched from an egg, are difficult to see unless they’ve recently eaten, as they are slightly translucent until they mature.

How Bed Bugs Can Be Treated

First, make sure you have a bed bug infestation and do what you can to eliminate them before treating for one. They like to hide behind headboards, in the seams of mattresses, in wall and ceiling junctions, near electrical outlets, and near curtain seams.

Before doing anything else, vacuum up everything you see, as this can often make a difference, and immediately dump the vacuum debris into a sealed bag and get it out of the house. After that, wash your clothes and bedding in very hot water and dry on high heat. Bed bugs must be exposed to temperatures of at least 115°F for 90 minutes or more to kill them. However, they will die within 30 minutes if exposed to temps over 120°F. Their eggs may require even hotter temps to eliminate. You can also use a steam cleaner to clean the areas where you found the bed bugs, including baseboards and bed frames.

Also, make sure to look for and seal any cracks and crevices. Bed bugs can squeeze into any space a credit card can slide through.

If this shows improvement, or it’s a new infestation, you may not need pesticides. If you might need chemical treatment, contact IPM Pest and Termite near Lexington, Kentucky. We know and use the best products to treat for bed bugs. We also know where they hide and how to find them so we can get rid of the entire infestation. While we will ask you to remove the clutter so they’re easier to find, we handle every other part of the process.

In any case, it’s vital to prep your space to prevent further infestations. This includes getting rid of excess garbage or room clutter.

If you’re afraid of getting infested by bed bugs, especially during the winter months, here are some common concerns to watch for:

• Search for them after any guests leave or after you return from any extended hotel stays.
• Inspect secondhand clothes and furniture for any signs before bringing it inside.
• Check the space and your belongings before or after a move.

Contact Us for Bed Bug Control Near Lexington, KY

Bed bug treatment should eliminate bed bugs so they’re no longer a problem for your family. At IPM Pest and Termite, we can work with you to ascertain that bed bugs are the problem and to determine the best bed bug control methods for you. We can also help you prevent bringing bed bugs into your home and teach you ways to find them if they’re there.

We can help with any pest control problems near Lexington, KY, so contact us today. You can reach us by calling or providing your contact information and a description of your problem.

We serve the greater Lexington, KY area, including Nicholasville, Versailles, Georgetown, Richmond, and Winchester, KY; and the following Lexington neighborhoods: Pinnacle, Waterford, Cumberland Hills, Copperfield, Palomar, Masterson Station, Equestrian Woods, and Firebrook. Contact us today!