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Infestations 101: Managing Bed Bugs

bed bugs live in mattresses and beddingThe idea of having blood-sucking creatures in your bed certainly isn’t a pleasant one, but that’s exactly what happens when a bed bug infestation hits. Fortunately, educating yourself about these pesky insects and learning more about how to manage them can help you eliminate your bed bug problem.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny, wingless creatures with flat bodies. They range in color from white to brown, but they take on a reddish hue after feeding. These creatures prefer to live in mattresses and bedding, and they typically hide during the day and become more active at night. Bed bugs aren’t known for spreading diseases, but they give off itchy bites. Not only are these bites uncomfortable, but some people are also allergic to them.

Do You Have a Bed Bug Infestation?

There are a few things to look for to determine if you have a bed bug infestation in your home:

• Do you have itchy bites on your body?
• Have you noticed any insects on or near your bed?
• Is there a trail of small brown residue anywhere on your bedding?
• Are there small drops of blood on your bed?

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Although there are some so-called at-home remedies for getting rid of bed bugs, these pesky insects can be very difficult to control with commercially available products. Instead of trying to tackle the task by yourself, consider hiring a pest control professional. Heat remediation is the singularly most effective treatment for ridding a home of bed bugs. Using heat remediation, a good pest control company can get rid of your bed bug infestation and get rid of any other pests that might be in your home as well.

Tips for Deterring Bed Bugs

Although you will probably breathe a sigh of relief after pest control specialists have eliminated your bed bug problem, it’s important to do what you can to avoid getting them in the future. For best results, try following these tips:

• Dispose of your mattress and box spring after the infestation.
• Clean your bedroom very thoroughly. Along with washing and drying your sheets and blankets, you should carefully vacuum out any small crevices and clean your floors.
• Before sleeping in a hotel bed or another foreign sleeping area, check for bed bugs. If you spot any, ask for another room. Also, make sure to notify the hotel manager right away if you wake up with itchy bites.
• After staying in a hotel, be sure to wash your clothing before putting it away.

Dealing with bed bugs isn’t pleasant, but it can be a whole lot easier if you hire an experienced pest control company. If you live in or around Bryan-College Station, you can contact ABC Home & Commercial Services for more information about bed bug control through heat remediation.  When you’re ready, request a free estimate through our website.

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