One of the most significant pest issues in America continues to be bed bug infestation. It’s true that bed bugs don’t transport or spread illnesses as other pests do. Still, these ectoparasites can be a nuisance since they can affect your sleep over time. They also ingest your blood while you sleep at night and make you irritable and worried from their excruciatingly itching bites. According to Kumar (2022), bed bug bites adversely affect an individual’s health, including anemia, stress and emotional anxiety, allergic reaction, infection, and disturbed sleep.
Bed bug eradication services are constantly in demand since they are so common. Bed bugs are also difficult to eradicate because of the stealthy manner in which these small bothersome creatures hunt their prey and increase their population.
The Challenge in Bed Bug Removal
Bed bug extermination is a challenging technique, as confirmed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The scale of the infestation (inside and outside the home), the amount of clutter, and the vigilance of household members in observing preventive measures determine the effectiveness of the treatment. In addition, despite their small size, bed bugs are very persistent; in fact, they can go for months or even a year without eating. In other words, bed bugs do not perish that quickly, which is why getting rid of them is challenging.
Nevertheless, there are pest control companies that can genuinely help you no matter the severity of the bed bug infestation you have at home. If you are looking for high-quality and the safest bed bug heat treatment in Baltimore, MD. ATC is the best bed bug exterminator in Baltimore, Pennsylvania. We are professionals in bed bug heat treatment technology and the procedures that determine whether they are eliminated permanently or not.
Bed Bugs Innate Tendencies
Bed bugs discreetly feed on your blood when you are asleep. That is why they are more active at night, making them generally nocturnal. Bed bug bites look like red, flat sores developing, usually in groups, on various exposed areas of your body, such as arms, legs, neck, face, and torso. Before bed bug bites heal, their itching may linger for many days or longer. Previous studies have not found substantial proof that bed bugs transmit viruses or diseases. Still, they can cause anxiety and even trigger allergic reactions in some people.
These kinds of pests can quickly travel to new sites. That’s why they make good hitchhikers, according to PestWorld.org. Despite their propensity to infest homes, they have also been seen invading offices, hotels, flats, schools, movie theaters, hospitals, retail organizations, and even public transit vehicles.
Bed bugs may more readily hide in confined spaces and avoid detection for a long time due to their small size and subtle activity. Additionally, they can quickly spread an infestation to its full extent in a matter of days or weeks due to their rapid reproduction. Once they have established themselves in your home and multiplied, they will enter other spaces outside the bedroom. You can spot them crawling on fabrics, apparel, carpets, furniture, walls, outlets, and other items around the house.
Guide to Eliminating Bed Bugs for Good
There is a wealth of literature on eradicating bed bugs and preventing an infestation. While some of the authors’ procedures can be used independently, others should only be carried out by professionals with the appropriate training. However, it is our responsibility as homeowners to be knowledgeable about the numerous bed bug defenses. You’ll be able to keep these creepy critters at bay by doing the following:
1. Look for the signs of infestation.
Knowing that you have bed bugs is always the first step toward effective removal. You must know the various indications of bed bug activity to understand the situation truly. Which are:
- You get bite marks or flat red welts that typically cause excruciating itching.
- Your mattress, bed linens, and even the wallpapers may have black or rusty fecal or feces stains.
- You will perceive a heavy mildew odor that lingers for days and is unpleasant to the touch.
- You’ll have small blood spots left by crushed bed bugs on your skin, bedsheets, or clothes.
- Box springs, mattresses, headboards, and other bed insect hiding places may contain exoskeletons or molted skins.
- Vacuum every day.
Daily vacuuming is a good idea. A vacuum is a helpful tool for getting rid of bed bugs. Clean your bedroom with your vacuum, paying specific attention to the regions around your bed where bed bugs typically hide to remain close to their victims. That creepy crawlies, along with their nymphs and eggs, will be sucked out of their hiding places by the vacuum. Mattresses, bedding, drawers, closets, walls, curtains, carpets, and floors should receive the most of your vacuum cleaning attention.
2. Wash fabrics in hot water or freeze anything you can’t wash.
The preferred method for bed bugs to hide is in cloth. Experts advise using hot water when washing your clothes, bed sheets, pillowcases, and other linens. To ensure that these pests are killed after washing, you should also dry the cleaned goods for 20 to 30 minutes at high heat. Another method to exterminate bed bugs is applying extreme cold. Therefore, you can preserve non-washable items in the freezer for 24 hours. Extreme temperatures make it impossible for bed bugs to live.
3. Engage in the service of licensed bed bug exterminators.
One foolproof method to make bed bugs go away forever is working with pest control experts. Consulting and cooperating with a certified pest control firm is the best action when addressing a bed bug issue in your house or property. They can comprehensively assess your home and determine the severity of the problem by evaluating the infested area. Professionals in pest control can present their plans and explain the specifics of the treatment approach they will use after doing an evaluation.
4. Use bed bug-proof encasements for your mattress.
Use bed bug-resistant mattress encasements. Another efficient way to safeguard your bed against those revolting creatures is to use an encasement previously treated with pesticides, especially for bed bugs. Several high-end mattress encasements have successfully been shown to guard your bed against bug infestations.
5. Get rid of the clutter.
The EPA emphasizes the need to clear the clutter from your house because it provides pests like bed bugs more places to hide and spread their eggs. Since there are fewer hiding places, these pests are less likely to thrive in a clean atmosphere. Additionally, when there is a lot of debris around, exterminators will need more time locating the bugs and treating the infested areas.
Advice for Homeowners
Infestations with bed bugs can be exceedingly irritating, and you could wind up covered in itchy, red bites. However, you can take precautions to stop the spread of bed bugs. Some preventive steps include:
- Routinely examining your room for indications of bed bugs.
- Screening your clothing and luggage when you travel.
- Clearing your room of any potential hiding spaces.
