There is a very good chance you have bed bugs if you are waking up each morning with bite symptoms on your body that were not present when you went to sleep. This would be a good reason to investigate, but understand that ust because you have looked and didn not find any, does not mean they are not there. Bed bugs lead a very cryptic and secretive lifestyle and will often go undetected. You may see evidence of a bed bug infestation without actually seeing any bed bugs. Bed bugs leave fecal stains in the areas they inhabit.
These stains are partially digested blood. As the blood is digested it turns black and therefore the bed bug droppings usually consist of several black spots in one area. The fecal spots will not flake off if rubbed and will smear if wiped with a wet rag.
The best way to know if you have bed bugs is to get a live sample of the bug and call a professional. If you need assistance please call us at 716-499-3817.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have Bed Bugs?
What are bed bugs and What do they look like?
Bed bugs are small, nocturnal, wingless insects that belong to the Cimicidae family. They likely get their name from their habit of feeding on humans while they sleep in their beds. They are virtually found in every place people tend to gather, including residences, hotels,schols, offices, retail stores and public transportation. Bed bugs like to travel and are good hitchhikers.
Young bed bugs (nymphs) are very small , translucent,lighter in color and very difficult to see with the naked eye. They become darker in color as they mature until they reach about 5mm.
Adult bed bugs grow to a length of 4-5mm and a width of 1.5-3mm. They are reddish-brown and have a flattened, oval appearence, similar to an apple seed. Microscopic hairs make them look as though they have stripes or banding.
Where do Bed Bugs hide?
Bed bugs like to hide near their host (humans). They are elusive creatures and will hide in small cracks and crevices, behind baseboards, bedding-including folded areas of bedding, mattresses, boxsprings, furniture (Couches, chairs, upholstery, etc…), electrical switchplates, picture frames, wallpaper, backpacks, pirses, suitcases, and nearly anywhere inside the home, cars, buses or other shelter.
How do bed bugs feed?
The bed bug injects the host with two feeding tubes, one for injecting anticoagulants and anesthetic and the other for withdrawing blood. They feed for approximately 5 minutes before returning to their hiding place. During this time of hiding they digest their meal, mate and lay eggs. They try to feed every 5-10 days but in right conditions, they can live for as long as one year without feeding and 18 months without any oxygen.
How quickly do bed bugs reproduce?
Bed bugs reproduce VERY quickly. Bed bugs lay approximately 1-5 eggs per day with a total of 200-500 in their lifetime, which us slightly less than one year. If a bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs, offspring infestation can quickly explode! In six months, a single bed bug can produce 30,000 decendents. In nine months, they can be counted by hundreds of thousands! Bed bug eggs look similar to the size and shape of rice.
Do bed bugs bite?
Yes, bed bugs feed by biting the host. Although some people are unaffected by bed bug bites, others can experience severe itching and discomfort. Welts and inflammation are an issue for some individuals, and severe infestation can lead to painful blistering. Prophylaxis can occur in severely allergic individuals, and asthmatics may find that a bed bug infestation can trigger an attack.
What Should I do if I have bed bugs?
Don’t Panic!! Don’t throw anything away and don’t waste your money on foggers, sprays or Powders. Bed bugs are very difficult to eliminate. It is best to call a professional bed bug extermination company immediately so the problem does not get out of control. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like a free estimate for service.
Is it true that Bed Bugs are only found in filth?
It is commonly believed that bed bugs only live in dirty conditions, but that’s simply not true. Bed bugs are attracted to humans, not dirt. They don’t discriminate between clean and unclean homes..Even five star hotels can get bed bugs!
How Can we be sure that Heat Treatment will work?
Bed Bug Heat Treatment is scientifically proven. It is a biological fact that bed bugs cannot live for long in temperatures greater than 120 degrees and when exposed to 140 degree heat they will die within seconds. Using sophisticated heating equipment, we safely raise the temperature of the infestated areas. We are trained on eliminating cold spots. We re-arrange furniture, clothing, open drawers, cupboards, etc. Success is in the details and we are good at details!
Once the lethal temperatures have been reached to kill bed bugs and their eggs, We maintain those temperatures for 4 hours. A successful heat treatment depends on the heat penetrating deep into furniture, clothing, walls and carpets.
Will Heat Treatment damage my belongings?
When done properly, Heat Treatment will NOT damage your home. Certain things need to be taken out of your home such as Aerosol cans, or put in the refrigerator (crayons, candles, medications). It will not damage TV;s, computers or other electronics as long as they are unplugged. Please view the full checklist for Heat Treatment Preparation.
WIll bedbugs migrate during treatment?
Yes, Bed Bugs will typically move 3 inches at a time to a “cool spot”, but when heating an entire structure, there are no escapes. By strategically placing the heaters and air movers, we create a thermal barrier to prevent movement and cool spots.
Didn’t Find the Answer?
We have tried to cover most common questions but if you have ANY questions not covered in this section you are more than welcome to call us 716-499-3817 or use the form below to get in touch.