What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that are reddish-brown in color. All bed bugs have oval-shaped bodies that are flattened from top to bottom and are often likened in appearance to apple seeds with legs. Bed bugs are indoor pests that can commonly be found in homes and public places. These pests are mainly nocturnal, hiding their flat bodies during the day in tight cracks and crevices. These parasites emerge at night to feed on the blood of people, their preferred hosts. Bed bugs feed with their elongated, sucking mouthparts called proboscises. After feeding, their appearance changes slightly. Their bodies swell and elongate in a balloon-like manner and turn a deep, purplish-red color.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs are not considered to be dangerous pests, but they do bite humans to feed on our blood. Some people are allergic to their saliva and may develop an allergic reaction to their bites, which leads to intense itching at the site of the bite. This excessive itching can lead to a secondary infection that will require medical attention. Additionally, knowing that bed bugs are living inside your home and biting you as you sleep can be very stressful and lead to sleepless nights for you and your family.
Why do I have a bed bug problem?
Bed bugs can be found wherever there are people. Much like other types of insects and pests, they like to be near their favorite food source. When humans spend time in public places where bed bugs are present, it is common for these pests to crawl onto our clothing or belongings and hitchhike their way, undetected, into our homes. They are also regularly introduced into homes inside of used furniture, mattresses, and box springs, or by migrating into different apartment units through walls or floors.
Where will I find bed bugs?
Bed bugs are found in public places where large groups of people regularly come and go. Common public places like hotels, office buildings, nursing homes, schools, daycares, dormitories, hospitals, shopping centers, airports, movie theaters, and museums are all places that bed bugs have the potential to call home. When visiting public places, it is very common for people to unknowingly come into contact with bed bugs, pick them up, and carry them home on their clothing or belongings.
Once introduced into your home, bed bugs initially infest sleeping areas such as cracks and crevices in mattresses, box springs, headboards, and footboards. As the infestation grows, bed bugs will move throughout your home, infesting multiple rooms. Other common bed bug hideouts include inside cracks in walls and floors, in the seams of upholstered furniture, in electronics, in keyboards, in wall voids, behind switch plates and outlets, or behind wooden molding.
When are bed bugs most active?
Bed bugs are pests that remain active throughout the entire year. They are nocturnal pests and are most active right before dawn but will also feed during other times of the day, especially if they are living in a place where people do not sleep such as office buildings, retail stores, and schools. Bed bugs are indoor pests and the temperature-controlled environments that residential and commercial properties provide them with allow bed bugs to breed and feed year-round. That being said, the peak season for bed bug activity is usually from July through September when people are traveling while on vacation and the weather is at its warmest.
Interesting facts about bed bugs
1. A bed bug's feeding pattern is usually described as similar to that of a human: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
2. Bed bugs don’t require a daily blood meal to survive and can live successfully in their hiding spots for months until new hosts come by that they can feed on.
3. Each bed bug feeds for about 5-10 minutes, leaving behind a row or cluster of about three bites. People aren’t woken by bed bugs while they feed because their saliva contains an anesthetic, which makes the process virtually painless.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
To eliminate and/or prevent bed bug infestations, partner with Around The Block Pest Control. Our friendly and highly trained professionals deliver modern and effective pest control solutions. We will work closely with you to eliminate bed bugs and stop future bed bug populations from making themselves at home in your Mckinney, TX home or business.
Around The Block offers a variety of residential and commercial pest control services: general pest coverage, organic services, bed bugs control, fire ant control, mosquito control, rodent control, and more. Contact Around The Block Pest Control today to learn more about the bed bug treatments we offer throughout Northeastern Texas.
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
In addition to our professional services, the following tips can help to prevent problems with bed bugs invading your property in McKinney, Texas and surrounding areas:
Before bringing luggage and personal items into a hotel or motel room, inspect it for bed bugs.
Keep your personal belongings away from other people’s while at school or at work.
Do not bring used mattresses, box springs, and other furniture into your home.
After returning home from travel, immediately wash and dry all clothing taken.
Vacuum your floors and carpets on a regular basis.
Know what bed bugs and their signs look like.
Place protective covers over mattresses and box springs.
When out in public never leave personal belongings on the floor of a public place.
Regularly change and wash bedding, inspecting mattresses and box springs for bed bugs.
Immediately wash and dry newly purchased clothing, linens, and bedding on the highest heat settings possible.