Bedbugs

The number of bed bug calls we received has dramatically increased in the last few years. Bed bugs infest homes without economic discrimination. They can be transported on clothing, in travelers luggage or in bedding and furniture. They can be picked up in a hotel or by sitting in a car, cab, bus, train or plane..

Bed bugs are also referred to as "red coats", "chinches", and "mohogany flats". They are reddish brown or brown in color and range in size from 1/4" to 3/8th ". The adult bed bug is a wingless insect that is flattened from top to bottom.

Bed bugs are blood feeding parasites of humans, poultry, bats and occasionally domestic animals. They feed principally on human blood piercing the skin with a long beak and sucking blood into their stomachs. They are usually active and feed during the night, but they will feed during the day when hungry.

Bedbugs have never been implicated in the spread of disease to humans.

Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices in walls, furniture, behind loose wallpaper, wall paneling, picture frames and under carpeting. They will also hide in tufts, seams, and folds of mattresses, pillows and bed coverings.

Female bed bugs deposit 3 to 8 eggs per day. A total of 200-500 eggs can be produced by each female. Eggs hatch in 4 to 12 days. Newly hatched nymphs begin to feed immediately. There are five nymphal stages, and it usually takes 35 to 48 days for nymphs to mature.

Adult bed bugs can survive for up to one year without a blood meal

Bed bugs will readily travel 10-15 feet and have been observed to travel more than 100 feet from their established harborage (and back) to feet on a host.

Bed bugs should only be treated by professionals. If you think you may have bed bugs in your home, call us for an inspection and evaluation.

Tenant Cooperation is Imperative

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to control. The effectiveness of the treatment depends in large part on the level of cooperation from the resident in complying with the preparation sheet; therefore, our bed bug treatments are not guaranteed. It is our experience that multiple treatments will be required. After the service, you will receive a detailed report on the level of activity observed, the preparedness of the unit and our recommendations for further service, if necessary.

As with all of our services, the cost to treat for bed bugs will depend upon the number of units being treated. When a unit is found to have bed bugs, (if it is in a multi-unit building) it is important the surrounding units be inspected and.

If the bed bugs are found in any of the units that are inspected, a full bed bug treatment will be recommended and the preparation sheet must be followed by that resident.