Bed Bugs
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a type of parasitic pest. Bed bugs received their name from their habit of feeding on the blood of people at night while they are sleeping in their beds. Before they feed, adult bed bugs are oval-shaped insects. Their bodies are reddish-brown in color and are flat from top to bottom. After feeding, their appearance changes: the bed bug’s body swells, elongates, and turns a deep reddish-purple color. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are translucent or pale yellow in color, but turn bright red after their first blood meal.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs are considered to be nuisance pests rather than dangerous pests. They aren’t known to transmit a wide variety of diseases under normal circumstances. Bed bugs should not, however, be allowed to live inside of your home for any period of time. Bed bugs bite us to feed on our blood, and people who are allergic to their saliva will develop raised, itchy red welts. The itching caused by their bites can create a secondary infection that requires medical attention. Bed bugs living inside of your New Jersey, Delaware or Pennsylvania home can also cause stressful days and the inability to sleep.
Why do I have a bed bug problem?
Bed bugs live wherever there are people, in order to be close to their favorite food source. They move from place to place by hitchhiking, crawling onto a person’s clothing, bags, or other personal belongings and waiting to be carried inside. Bed bugs are also commonly introduced inside of homes through used furniture, mattresses, and box springs, or in newly purchased clothing items.
Where will I find bed bugs?
Bed bugs live successfully inside of a variety of locations, including homes, apartment buildings, hotels, motels, office buildings, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, daycares, dormitories, shopping centers, movie theaters, and libraries. Bed bugs almost always initially infest sleeping areas. If an infestation is allowed to continue, bed bugs will move throughout the home, hiding in furniture, spaces between floors, in wall voids behind switch plates, behind wooden molding, and inside of electronics and keyboards.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
To eliminate current problems with bed bugs, as well as prevent future infestations, it is best to partner with an experienced professional. At Bugaboo Pest Control, our professionals provide customers with the residential or commercial pest control services needed to solve your unique bed bug problem. To learn more about our full-service bed bug extermination services that are offered throughout New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware, contact Bugaboo Pest Control today!
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
Bed bugs find many ways to invade your Lakewood home and the surrounding area, so use the following tips to deter bed bugs from choosing to reside in your home:
- After returning home from a trip, wash and dry all clothing taken on the highest heat setting possible.
- Inspect any hotel or other rentals for bed bugs before bringing luggage and other belongings into it.
- Regularly vacuum your home and wash bedding on the highest heat setting possible.
- Do not purchase used furniture, mattresses, and box springs for your home.
- When at work or school keep personal belongings stored away from other people’s belongings.
- Newly purchased clothing should always be washed on the highest heat setting the fabrics can handle.
