A Quick Guide on Bed Bugs

Bed bugs have become a big issue in recent years, infesting homes apartments, assisted living, public transportation and just about everywhere. Here’s a guide to what they look like, where they are found and how to get rid of them.

What Bed Bugs Look Like

An adult bed bug is roughly the size of an apple seed. Assuming it’s not engorged with blood, it will have a flat, oval body. Bed bugs who have recently had a meal will look plumper and more reddish-brown than brown. Juvenile bed bugs are trickier to identify, as they are smaller. Juveniles, also called nymphs, can be translucent or light yellow. Unless they’ve recently fed, you might not see them at all. The eggs of bed bugs are even harder to spot. They are a pearly white color, and are about the size of a pinhead.

Where Bed Bugs Are Found

When they aren’t eating, bed bugs are commonly found near the seams, piping, and tags of mattresses. They also like to hide in the crevices of headboards and bed frames but the case of a very severe infestation, bed bugs may be found elsewhere throughout the room. They may hide in the seams of cushions, in chairs and couches, and in draperies. In some cases, bed bugs can even be found in the joints of drawers and underneath loose wallpaper.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

The most effective way to deal with a bed bug infestation is to call in the professionals immediately because the fact is, he longer you wait, the worse the infestation will get. A pest management technician can use chemical and non-chemical strategies to kill the bed bugs. Once they’re out of your home, be careful not to bring them back in. Exercise caution when purchasing secondhand furniture. When traveling, inspect the hotel bed and bedding carefully before settling in.

Here at Essential Pest Control, we customize each client’s bed bug treatment plan to meet their unique needs. Our skilled technicians provide bed bug identification, monitoring systems, mattress encasements, and effective treatments. Homeowners and business owners throughout Tucson, Marana, and Green Valley can reach us at (520) 886-3029 to schedule service visits.