warning: don't treat bed bugs yourself
Anderson's Pest Pros specializes in bed bug control and removal in homes and in the hospitality industry. If you try to kill bed bugs in your home it could lead to health problems or even death! Let us help! We are trained experts in resolving any bed bug infestations. We do it right the first time!
Bed bugs have changed the hospitality industries within the last 10 years. Anderson's Pest Pros have been able to turn hotels around with major bed bug problems. There are many pest control companies out there who do not invest the time and effort to make sure the problem has been taken care of correctly.
Bed bugs have changed the hospitality industries within the last 10 years. Anderson's Pest Pros have been able to turn hotels around with major bed bug problems. There are many pest control companies out there who do not invest the time and effort to make sure the problem has been taken care of correctly.
bed bugs
Bed Bug
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They are usually active at night when people are sleeping.
Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red colored oval bodies, no wings and are about the size of an apple seed. They are big enough to be easily seen, but hide in mattresses, box springs, bedding, cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. When bed bugs feed, they swell and become brighter red. They can live for several months to over a year without feeding. They don't jump or fly, and they crawl and move about the same speed as an ant.
Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red colored oval bodies, no wings and are about the size of an apple seed. They are big enough to be easily seen, but hide in mattresses, box springs, bedding, cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. When bed bugs feed, they swell and become brighter red. They can live for several months to over a year without feeding. They don't jump or fly, and they crawl and move about the same speed as an ant.
do bed bugs put my health at risk?
Bed bug bites are a nuisance and annoying, but bed bugs are not known to spread diseases. Try not to scratch bites because it increases the risk of skin infections. If you have a severe reaction to a bed bug bite, see your doctor.
What to look for
- Itchy skin welts on your body
- Small blood smears on bedding from crushed insects
- Tiny dark spots on your sheets, mattress or box spring which are their fecal droppings
- Dried remains of shed bed bug skins
Be aware that other insects, such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitos, can leave bites that look like bed bug bites. Bites alone cannot prove you have a bed bug infestation.
Important note: The only way to be sure you have a bed bug infestation is to find and positively identify a live bed bug.
How to prepare
Save a live bug sample in a zip-type sandwich bag. Coax the bug into a bag, gently flatten the bag to press out the air, and seal it completely. Have the sample inspected and the type of bug positively identified by a pest control operator. If you find bugs that do not look similar, save samples of the different bugs in separate bags. There may be bed bugs at different life stages, or there may be different types of bugs. The method of pest treatment will depends on what type of bug is present. A pest control operator will correctly identify the type of pest(s) present before they recommend a method of treatment.
Should i apply pesticides myself?
NO. General use or 'over the counter' pesticides are not effective in killing or eliminating bed bugs. Even pesticides available only to licensed professionals have limited effectiveness. Bed bugs have developed resistance to certain pesticides. Using pesticides incorrectly can make the problem worse by causing insects to scatter and move into walls, hard to reach places and other parts of the home.
Do not use bug bombs or foggers - they do not work against bed bugs and spread hazardous chemicals throughout your home.
Do not use bug bombs or foggers - they do not work against bed bugs and spread hazardous chemicals throughout your home.
More Info
For more information on bed bugs, check out this really nice article by Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.