Bed Bug Treatment & Removal | Bed Bug Exterminators

Recently, the resurgence of bed bugs in New Jersey homes has been remarkable. People who thought the problem was resolved are waking up to realize the nightmare isn’t over. What causes a resurgence, and is there anything that can be done to prevent it? First, you should know that here in the northeast, we see a lot of this issue because there’s a lack of public awareness.

You only know what you hear on TV or read in the news, but you don’t know how to manage a bed bug infestation unless you’ve dealt with them. The crux of the issue is that bedbugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices, and many people don’t know they have a problem until the population is already out of control. Once their presence is undeniable, it’s a full-blown infestation.

Another significant issue is that people like to delay treatment or ignore the problem, thinking it was one bug or an isolated incident. These pests can cause psychological distress, so treating them early on is the best key. That one bug you saw on your mattress or couch is not traveling solo, indicating that it’s time to treat it.

Early intervention will help prevent the spread of bed bugs to other parts of the house and lessen the financial and emotional complications associated with such issues. These resilient pests won’t go away quickly, so you need a qualified pest control professional to assist.

Characteristics and Habits of Bed Bugs

Part of public awareness is to understand the characteristics and habits of these pests, so you can combat them properly. The scientific name of a bed bug is Cimex lectularius. These bugs are small and reddish-brown in color. Their food of choice is human blood.

They’re often hard to detect because they’re nocturnal, so they’re scurrying about while you’re asleep. The one exception to this rule is when there’s an overpopulation, you might see them at various times of the day. They’re often mistaken for many other bugs, including the stink bug. Their flat, oval-shaped body makes them look like other insects, but they take on another appearance when they’re engorged with blood.

These tiny critters and their flat bodies allow them to enter spaces that most pests cannot hide. So, cracks around your bed, the electrical outlets, and any little crevices where they can hole up will be utilized to keep them safe. One of the reasons why it’s so easy to get bed bugs and so hard to get rid of them is that they’re hitchhikers.

They’ll use luggage, clothing, and even furniture to move from one place to another. Once the bed bugs move into your home, they leave clues that they’re feeding and living beside you. Look for fecal matter spots, bloodstains on your mattress or other furniture, and discarded exoskeletons from molting. When you understand their habits, it makes it easier to combat the infestation and eradicate it.

Identifying Bed Bug Infestations

The key to getting control of your bed bug problem is to catch the issue early on. One of the first things you might see is unexplained red welts on your skin. These are often apparent after you’ve slept.

These welts are itchy and might resemble a flea bite. Since you’re immobile at night, the bed bug sees this as a prime time to feast. It’s easier to get the host to cooperate when they’re asleep. Most people don’t feel the bites, but they know something has happened the following day.

Another undeniable sign is the presence of crushed bugs. Since you lay on the mattress where they live, a few might be squashed, especially if they’re full of blood. They’re more apt to die when they’re engorged after a meal. We’ve already discussed that you might see fecal matter stains on the beds or furniture, but did you know they can be on the walls too?

Yes, bed bug excrement can be on your headboard, bed frame, and anywhere they dwell. No fecal matter doesn’t have a smell, so if you notice a mold or mildew smell in a room that isn’t commonplace, it can indicate that you have a problem with these pests. As pest control professionals, we’re trained to look in those odd spaces to see if bugs might be hiding.

We’ve found these bugs behind torn seams in wallpaper, electrical outlets, and even inside nightstands and dresser drawers. Any area that’s close to the bed that can offer them protection will be utilized. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for them to spread to adjacent rooms , and then they can travel throughout the whole house.

What’s Better Heat or Chemical Bed Bug Treatments?

We often are asked about the best way to treat bed bugs. There are two options, which are heat and chemical-based eradication methods. The type of treatment we use depends on a few factors, including:

The severity of the infestation
Owners’ preferences
The type of dwelling being treated (apartment-townhouse-single family home)

Both heat and chemical treatments can be effective, but what are the advantages and considerations for each method:

Heat Bed Bug Treatments

Benefits:

These treatments can get deep into any cracks and crevices where these bugs hide, which helps to ensure complete eradication.

No chemicals are used in heat treatments, so it’s the most eco-friendly method.

Time is of the essence when dealing with bed bugs, and these treatments often work much faster than chemical ones.

Considerations:

When dealing with larger spaces, using a heat treatment can be more costly. However, it’s still the better option over chemicals.

Some folks have belongings that might be sensitive to higher temperatures, and some materials can’t handle the extreme heat either.

The use of heat treatment isn’t suitable for all locations.

Chemical Bed Bug Treatments

Benefits:

When it comes to a more localized problem, chemical treatments can be a cost-effective option.

Many insecticides can have lingering effects, which help to provide extended protection.

It’s a more straightforward method in hotels, apartments, and commercial areas.

Considerations:

One significant concern is the resilient nature of these bugs. In some populations, bugs have become resistant to chemical insecticides, which only reduces their effectiveness.

The use of pesticides can cause potential health risks to some people, and there can also be environmental impacts.

It often takes more than one application for the treatment to be successful, and it usually doesn’t work for severe infestations. Additionally, it might not target the various life stages of the bugs.

Finally, the verdict between heat and chemical bed bug treatments is best based on the situation, the people in the home, and the budget. A professional exterminator can help you with such a choice.

A combination of both methods is often utilized for optimal results. It’s essential to consult with a reputable pest control company to assess the infestation and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Tips for Preventing Bed Bug Infestations

It’s imperative to prevent bed bug infestations to help protect your home and those in it. The health and financial issues from such an ordeal can be exhausting. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can do to help keep bed bugs at bay, as the best way to fight any pest is with prevention.

Be Wary of Second-Hand Items – Many people love going to antique malls, thrift stores, and garage sales. While you can get some great deals, you can also bring home a heap of trouble. Before you bring anything into your home, please go through it to ensure no bugs are hiding in any crevices.

Stay on Guard During Traveling – No hotel, motel, or resort in this country doesn’t experience bed bugs. Even the most careful ones are still susceptible due to their clientele.

When you check in for vacation, check the beds, headboards, nightstands, and dresser drawers. Never put your luggage on the floor, as the luggage rack is a much safer location. You want to keep the suitcases away from the bed and the walls, which can bring trouble back home should there be an incident.

Use Bed Bug Protectors – It’s a small price to pay to put a bed bug protector on all your beds in your home. These coverings encase the mattress and prevent bed bugs from getting into these areas.

Wash Bedding and Linens Frequently – You should wash your bedding periodically, but your linens should be cleaned once a week. Always launder them in the hottest water and use the dryer on high heat too. The heat will kill any live bugs as well as their eggs.

Reduce Household Clutter – Do you have clutter in your home? Bed bugs and other critters love to use these areas as hiding spaces. By removing your hiding spaces, you’ll find it more challenging for an infestation to develop.

Close Cracks and Crevices – It’s essential to inspect and seal any cracks or crevices in your walls, baseboards, and around doors and windows, as these are common hiding spots for bed bugs and other critters.

Be Guarded with Shared Spaces – If you live in an apartment, townhome, condo, or other location where you share a space, it’s even more important to be on guard. It could soon be your issue if neighbors are talking about bed bug problems. Another consideration is having someone live with you. They can bring home bed bugs from a friend or relatives, and you can be just as much in harm’s way.

Invest in Bed Bug Monitors – Bed bug monitors are neat devices that help detect any activity before it gets out of hand. These little devices go on the legs of your bedding or furniture and are very beneficial.

Avoid Picking Up Curb Items – Finding treasures on the curbside is fun. However, the owner might have set them out because of bed bugs. Avoid these trash treasures as they might cost you more in the long run.

Educate Your Family – Teach everyone in your household about bed bugs and how to identify early signs of infestations, so you can take prompt action if needed.

Professional Bed Bug Extermination

There’s no substitute for professional bed bug extermination. The benefits of these services are undeniable. First, our technicians have both the knowledge and experience in dealing with these situations to help you from the moment we walk through the door. Second, we use the most up-to-date treatments to help eradicate the problem.

As exterminators, we can get into all those hard-to-reach areas that most people don’t even consider treating. The insecticides you get at the local store don’t have near the potency of those that we carry. Moreover, we have advanced machinery to do heat treatments that are not safe or easy for the ordinary person to access. These advantages allow us to tackle any infestation quicker and more efficiently, which saves time and money.

It’s often the case that a customer calls us after DIY methods have failed. While those methods might work for a small problem, they won’t touch a severe infestation. In fact, it can lead to a prolonged and costly battle that produces little results. It’s also essential to consider the health implications of using an abundance of pesticides in your home.

Are there people in your dwelling who have asthma, COPD, or other breathing complications? Having harmful chemicals around people with breathing problems is a recipe for disaster. Overall, bed bug exterminators’ knowledge, resources, and systematic approach are essential for prompt and successful eradication. Isn’t protecting your home, health, and peace of mind worth hiring an expert?

If you have an issue with bed bugs, call us for help. The longer you let this problem go, the worse it will become. You need to get things under control today!

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