Bed Bugs

We’ve all heard of bed bugs. In fact, there is even a common saying that we’ve all heard from our parents at least once in our lives when getting tucked in at night. They are absolutely something that you would not enjoy biting you. They feed off of blood, and breed, hide, and defecate in furniture, especially beds.

There was a time when bed bugs were almost eliminated in North America because of pesticides like DDT. Unfortunately, these pesticides worked too well, in that they were toxic to humans as well. Over the past 50-60 years, bed bugs have been making a comeback. Not just because the effective pesticides were discontinued, but also because of air travel between continents. Some estimates show that bed bug cases double each year in the United States, including the State of Washington.

Bed bugs get their name because it describes where they like to spend their time. Mattress seams and sheets are perfect places for them to hide comfortably in the dark during the daytime, while they are dormant before emerging at night to feed. Their favorite food is flesh, and all too often they find it from the sleeping forms just a foot or two away. They only measure about an eighth of an inch, and have rusty, flat, oval bodies and they can spread quickly. They hop onto clothes and onto luggage for instance. This is why they can be such a big problem in hotels.

Bed bugs molt five times during the 1-2 months before they reach adulthood. During each molting, they must find a blood meal to survive. Once they hit adulthood, they can live for another year. After they eat, the bugs head back to their hiding spot and defecate. One of the main ways to spot an infestation are the black piles or stains that start appearing. The other sign is that you will start noticing little itchy spots on your body where you’ve been bitten.

The other issue with controlling a bed bug infestation is that they reproduce very quickly. A female will lay five eggs at a time, and during a lifetime will lay up to five hundred. You may see these tiny white eggs hidden in cracks and crevices. Early detection is crucial before they start spreading exponentially.

For Bed Bug Treatment in Seattle Call Guardian Pest Control

It’s true that bed bugs are a major challenge for any pest control service. However, at Guardian Pest Control Service in Seattle,  we will do everything we can to eliminate your problem. Early detection is one of the most important steps to fighting, so a pest control specialist will properly inspect the home to find not just all the bugs, but also the fecal matter and molted skin. Then they will get to work with insecticides, vacuums, and other equipment to not just eradicate the threat, but to help prevent it from happening again. Guardian will also follow up a week or two later to make sure that nothing was missed.

How To Control Them

Despite the difficulty with controlling them, bed bugs can still be dealt with. For one, our certified technicians can come to inspect the premises to make sure that every hiding spot is found. Specially formulated chemicals can target and eradicate the pests. Once they are dead, they can be removed by vacuum to get them out of your home for good. Fumigation is another option, as is treating the infestation with heat.