Bed Bugs

What are bed bugs?

The only way bed bugs can complete their life cycle and survive is to feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. While bed bugs will feed on dogs, cats, and rodents if they have to, people are their preferred hosts, and they will choose us for their blood meal over pets and other animals.

Bed bugs have a flattened, oval-shaped body that is a reddish-brown color. The flattened shape helps them hide during the day until they are ready to emerge for a blood meal. Because they're nocturnal, bed bugs mainly feed at night when people and other hosts are sleeping.

After consuming a blood meal, their body expands and swells into a more capsule-like shape. Bed bugs have short antennae, six legs, and a proboscis, which is an elongated feeding mouthpart that pierces the host's skin and allows them to consume blood.

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Though bed bugs have been feeding on the blood of people and other warm-blooded animals for many centuries, they aren't currently known to pose significant health risks to people. However, bed bug bites are itchy, and prolonged itching at the bite sites may lead to a secondary infection that requires medical attention. Also, knowing these blood-feeding pests are in a home can cause the people inside to lose sleep and be uncomfortable in a place that should only bring them peace and comfort.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Their lack of wings and inability to jump means bed bugs move from place to place by crawling. To move far distances across cities, towns, and even countries, they crawl onto people and our belongings and move with us as we travel. Inside our homes, they move from room to room by traveling through walls and under floors using wires and pipes as a highway system.

After finding their way inside, bed bugs quickly hide away. Moving around and feeding while we sleep, it often takes a bit of time to discover their presence, giving them time to build up their numbers and become even more difficult to eliminate. At the first signs of a bed bug infestation, it is important to contact a professional immediately. Trying DIY methods of control will only cost you time, money, and your sanity.

Where will I find bed bugs?

Wherever there are people, there may be bed bugs. Bed bugs travel with people and mainly live indoors in temperature-controlled structures. Their indoor lifestyle allows them to be a threat to our homes and businesses throughout the entire year.

We can come into contact with bed bugs in various places, including hotels, motels, airports, laundry mats, libraries, movie theaters, hospitals, schools, dormitories, and anywhere else people come and go in large numbers. You could also come into contact with them when visiting a house where the homeowner is unaware of their presence.

When living in our homes and businesses, these are some of their favorite hideouts:

• Mattresses and box springs
• In the seams of upholstered furniture
• Behind window or door trim
• In rugs and between floorboards
• Inside outlets and electronics
• Under clutter

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

In order to tackle a bed bug infestation, you need the help of a trained and experienced pest control professional. With over 44 years in the pest control industry, trust National Exterminating Company to provide you with the services required to solve your bed bug problem. We will completely eliminate bed bugs from your home or business through our quality bed bug control services, exceptional customer service, and placing a high value on attention to detail.

Using low-impact, environmentally friendly pest solutions, completing thorough inspections, and applying effective treatments, we can eliminate any bed bug infestation from your home or business. If you are ready to maintain a bed bug-free property, reach out to National Exterminating Company today. Give us a call to schedule your free inspection and consultation!

How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?

Don't allow bed bugs to take over your property; with our professional services and the following tips, you can stop bed bugs from using your Tidewater, Hampton Roads, or Southside Virginia home or business as a place to feed and breed:

• When storing bedding and clothing for long periods or when traveling, use vacuum-sealed bags.
• Know how to identify early signs of an infestation; drops of blood or dark streaks of excrement on bedding or linens or piles of shed skins on the floor or under mattresses or furniture.
• Place bed bug proof covers on mattresses and box springs to eliminate one of their favorite hiding spots.
• Eliminate clutter in your home where bed bugs like to hide.
• Place covers on outlets to stop them from hiding behind them.
• When in a public place while traveling, running errands, or going to school or work, keep your belongings away from other people's belongings and up off the ground as much as possible.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.