Dealing With Bed Bugs in Your Home

Bed bugs are a serious problem in Broward County, Florida. These small, reddish-brown insects feed on the blood of humans and animals, and they can be found in a variety of settings, including homes, hotels, and apartment buildings. Because bed bugs are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide produced by sleeping bodies, they are often found in bedrooms and other areas where people sleep.

Bed bugs are difficult to get rid of once they have infested an area and can cause a number of problems for homeowners. In addition to the discomfort and irritation of being bitten, bed bugs can also lead to sleep disturbances and stress.

How Bed Bugs Get into Your Home

Bed bugs are typically introduced into a home through the transportation of infested items, such as luggage, furniture, or clothing. They can also be brought into a home through the movement of infested people or animals, or by hitchhiking on clothing or other items.

How to Tell if You Have a Bed Bug Infestation

There are several signs that you may have bed bugs at home. These include:

• Bites: Bed bugs bite their hosts while they sleep, leaving small, red bumps on the skin that may be itchy and painful.
• Fecal stains: Bed bugs produce small, dark fecal stains that may be found on bedding, furniture, or other surfaces.
• Shed skins: As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons, leaving behind small, translucent shells.
• Live bugs: Bed bugs are typically found in or near beds, but they may also be found in other areas of the home, such as behind baseboards, in electrical outlets, or in other crevices.

What to Do if You Have Bed Bugs

If you suspect that you have bed bugs at home, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Bed bugs multiply quickly so can be especially difficult to exterminate if you use DIY removal methods don’t kill all the bugs.

First, contact a pest control company to assess the situation and recommend a course of action. A pest control professional can help you identify and eradicate the bed bug infestation, using a variety of methods that aren’t generally available to homeowners, such as chemical treatments, heat treatment, and steam treatment.

One of the key benefits of working with a professional pest control company like Maximum Pest is that we have the knowledge and experience to effectively deal with bed bugs. We’ll help you understand the best approach for your specific situation and provide you with the peace of mind that the infestation will be eliminated.

In addition to our effective bed bug control treatments, we recommend several things you can do yourself to help manage the infestation.

1. Start with a thorough vacuuming of rugs, floors, and upholstered furniture – including under beds and around furniture legs. Don’t forget to check all those hard-to-reach cracks and crevices too. Change the bag after each use so the bed bugs don’t escape, then seal it tightly in plastic before disposing in an outdoor trash can.
2. Over time, you can reduce the number of bed bugs by regularly washing and heat-drying your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads, and any clothing that touches the floor. Don’t forget to also clean the laundry containers or hampers to remove any hidden bugs and eggs.
3. Use a mattress and box spring encasement (a special bed bug cover) to protect you from bed bugs in your mattress. Make sure the cover has been tested for bed bugs (don’t use anything that doesn’t specifically say so) and is strong enough to stay in place for a full year without tearing.
4. Clean up and declutter your home to reduce the number of hiding places for bed bugs. This will also make it easier to apply necessary treatments.
5. Keep calm. Yes, bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate but it can be done! There’s no need to throw out all your belongings – ask your pest control expert which ones can be effectively treated to remove the pests.