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FAQs On Bed Bugs

9/24/13

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Bed bugs are a pest that everyone has heard about and that no one wants in their home. These blood sucking pests can affect anyone and can be found anywhere, especially in places with a high amount of human travel and activity. And while bed bugs often make headlines, many people still may not understand what exactly they are, how they behave and how to protect themselves from these critters. Five common questions about bed bugs will be answered below to hopefully give some clarity about this pesky parasitic pest.

  1. What does a bed bug look like? Adults can be seen by the human eye; they are 1/4-3/8 of an inch long and are a reddish brown color. Their body is a flat oval shape that resembles an apple seed. Bed bug eggs are white in color and very small, about the size of a pinhead. They are visible to the human eye but very difficult to spot. Young, newly hatched bed bugs have the same appearance as the adult, but they are smaller and more of a yellowish-white color.

  2. Do bed bugs carry diseases? There are no known diseases that are transmitted by bed bugs. However, bed bugs do bite in order to feed on your blood, but their bite is generally painless and most people do not react to the bite.

  3. How do I tell if I have bed bugs? Determining whether or not bed bugs are in your home can be a difficult task. Bed bugs only come out of hiding to feed at night when you are sleeping; during the day they hide in the crevices of your mattress and box springs, cracks of wooden furniture, under carpets, and behind baseboards. But there are signs that bed bugs leave behind, giving away their presence; the feces from bed bugs leave dark spots on your linens, box springs and mattresses. By using a flashlight you may be able to find adult bed bugs that are hiding in the cracks and crevices in your bedroom and throughout your home.

  4. How do I get rid of bed bugs? Getting rid of bed bugs is something that needs to handled by Honolulu exterminators, DIY methods for bed bugs are ineffective and can be dangerous if used improperly. Having a bed bug dog inspection done in your home is a very effective way to find all the bed bugs hiding in your home, no matter what the life stage. After your home is inspected, bed bug heat treatments can be used to safely heat your home to a temperature that will eliminate all of the bed bugs, including bed bug eggs. This method is usually quick; you can enter back into your home generally the same day, and causes little disruption to your household.

  5. How do I prevent bed bugs in the future? Unfortunately there is no 100% fool proof way to prevent bed bugs from entering your Honolulu home; however there are steps that you can take to lessen your chances of an infestation. While visiting places like move theaters, libraries, and other public places make sure to keep bags, purses and coats up off of the floor. Try not to bring used furniture into your home, and wash all clothing immediately after purchasing it. When returning home from a trip, wash all clothing in hot water and vacuum out your suitcase and other bags. And of course having a year round pest control plan in place from a Honolulu pest control company will also help to prevent and control bed bug infestations in your home.

Bed bugs can be a difficult pest to deal with but they can be successfully eliminated with professional help. Don’t delay treatment by trying to handle bed bugs on your own. Instead, contact Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions for more information on bed bugs and bed bug elimination services.