Why Should You Hire Pest Control for Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are a common pest for homeowners and renters alike. They feed on human blood and can be found in many areas of the home, such as mattresses, bed frames, headboards, couches, upholstered furniture, bed linen, and many other areas.
These pests have been known to hide during daylight hours so they can come out at night to feed on people while they sleep. The best way to protect your home from these nasty creatures is with a professional pest control company that has experience getting rid of them quickly and efficiently.
At Apex Pest Control, we use only eco-friendly products that won’t harm you or your family members. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Our experienced team at Apex Pest Control will also provide an inspection where we’ll identify any issues that could potentially lead to your bed bug problem.
What Are Bed Bugs?
A bed bug is a small insect that is flat, oval, and grows to about the size of 5mm in length. Initially, they have a brownish body, which will turn red after feeding. Bedbugs in residential properties are often around at night, feeding off of human and animal blood.
Where Do Bedbugs Hide?
A room/house/hotel room can quickly be infested with these pests after they attach themselves to luggage, clothing, occasionally used furniture or couches that are already harbouring these insects. Since their shape allows them to fit into places as thin as credit cards, bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices.
Their favourite hiding places are bedside furniture, beds, mattresses, headboards, luggage, box spring, and even loose wallpaper. This will make it easy for them to lay low for the day and consume human blood at night. In addition to this, bed bugs can also live on dogs, cats, and other domestic pets, as well as on rodents and wild animals such as birds and bats.
What Is the Most Common Bed Bug Species Found in the U.K.?
The bed bugs species Cimex lectularius is the most common one in the U.K. This species belongs to the Cimicidae family. Female bed bugs bite more frequently as they require blood to develop their eggs. Although, both male and female bed bugs are bloodsuckers who feed on blood, engorge, and fall off the host. A bed bug bite can cause an allergic reaction that can result in a skin infection.
People who travel for both business and pleasure are increasingly likely to come into contact with bed bug infestations, which can spread to many other establishments as they travel. Bed bugs are also becoming a problem in elderly care homes, student housing, and apartments.
They have even been found in transport vehicles like aeroplanes and buses, and once established, bed bugs can easily move between rooms and properties because of their small size.
Bed Bug Signs and Symptoms
Often, bedbug bites are mistaken for bites caused by other things, such as mosquito bites or allergies.
Bed bugs may be present if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Bite marks on your shoulders, neck, back, arms, or legs that are typically red and irritating
- Painful swelling around the affected area
- Spots that appear as small reddish-brown or black clusters (about 1mm wide) are found on the upholstery, bed frame, and bottom side of the mattress.
- Bloodstains on bed linens or headboards
- Small pale white eggs or empty eggshells
- Seeing the small brown insects in and around your bed frame or sleeping area is another obvious sign but not always the first one you find.
- Having only bites does not necessarily indicate an infestation without further evidence. You may also want to search for these other signs and consult a pest expert if you are unsure.
Controlling Bed Bugs DIY Pest Control for Bed Bugs
A professional pest control company should be contacted immediately if you suspect a bed bug infestation. It is highly unlikely that amateur pesticides will successfully eliminate a bed bug infestation, and without accurate knowledge of how to appropriately perform bed bug treatments, you won’t have a successful bed bug extermination.
Treating bed bugs by yourself can pose a problem for you, especially if you only use store-bought pesticides. Bedbugs have evolved resistance to some types of insecticides, according to a 2013 study published in Nature Scientific Reports.
There is also a downside to using amateur bug spays, these products can often make the infestation worse by causing the bed bugs to spread to other parts of the home or even into neighbouring houses. Pest control professionals have access to a wide range of specialized products and equipment not available to the general public.
When you find bed bugs in your luggage, clothing, or bedding, there are a few things you can try to get rid of them. All infested items should be washed at a hot setting (at least 60 degrees Celsius) and tumble dried for at least 30 minutes at high heat. Dry clean all the items and put everything in a large vacuum bag, and deep freeze for at least 3 days.
Apex Pest Control advises anyone who uses insecticides to strictly follow label directions. Don’t risk causing collateral damage or suffering personal injury by failing to take all precautions.
Professional Pest Control for Bed Bugs
The pest control industry gets numerous calls to treat properties for bed bugs – so if you’re having bug problems, you’re not the only one. The very first thing you need to know is that bed bug surveys are extremely intrusive. Your bed and the inside of your bedside tables or drawers will be thoroughly checked by a pest control professional for signs of bed bugs.
The infested room is usually treated with the standard residual insecticide, which is usually applied as a liquid spray or powder. All floor surfaces are also treated with insecticide. A treated room should not have a missed area.
Professional pest control companies may also use an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator). Through this method, the bed bug life cycle (egg to adult) cannot be properly completed. IRGs won’t actually kill adult-sized bed bugs, so they must be used with a conventional insecticide.
You should avoid washing or vacuuming your carpets after treatment, if possible, for a minimum of two weeks. During the course of the pest control treatment, the early stages of bed bugs, including eggs and nymphs, will go through the life cycle and become adult bed bugs.
Insecticides have a residual effect that will kill newly formed bed bugs. If you clean your carpet immediately after the treatment, you’ll risk removing the residual insecticide. When the bed bugs go through the life cycle, they won’t go away. This leads to a failed treatment.
Several companies also use bed bug detection dogs in hotels and other environments where a pest technician would spend a lot of time hunting for bed bugs. Some pest control businesses also use heat treatment as a means to eliminate bed bugs.
Is Bed Bug Treatment Worth the Cost?
Your home can easily acquire bed bugs. These insects sneak a ride on your items, including bags, clothing, or fabrics, and if you’re not aware, they can easily invade your home. It’s very easy to pick them up, especially when you have recently stayed in a bedbug-infested home or buying infested second-hand furniture. In most cases, eliminating pests is much more difficult unless you use the right method.
Cockroaches are not the only insects that can survive pretty much anything. Bed bugs are also very difficult insects to kill. As opposed to cockroaches, which tend to leave people alone, bed bugs feed off of human blood.
Aside from spreading rapidly, these pests are resilient, meaning you will have to treat them multiple times in order to get rid of them completely. When you pay for bed bug treatment, you ensure that they’ve completely disappeared and aren’t left behind to lay new eggs. A variety of bed bug treatment methods are available at a range of prices to fit every budget.
How Much Does Pest Control for Bed Bugs Cost?
The cost of an exterminator for bed bugs may be higher than you expected due to their hardiness. Typically one treatment will not be enough to eliminate them. The best way to permanently get rid of bed bugs includes multiple treatments over several months. Several experts offer guaranteed bed bug removal services.
If bed bugs are found within a certain period of time after the main treatments are complete, there will be free follow-up treatments. Depending on the treatment method, bed bug removal costs can range from £240 to more than £525.
If you have a bed bug problem in your home, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Apex Pest Control. We can help you get rid of these pesky pests quickly and efficiently with our proven methods that are tailored specifically for this pest. Don’t let these bugs take over your life.
Call us today so we can put an end to them once and for all.
