Bed bugs are problematic pests for many homeowners across Camarillo, CA and the Bay area. If you are concerned about potential bed bug infestations, you’re not alone. Many people fear bed bug infestations in their home, but don’t know what to look out for and what to do. Read on to learn about bed bugs and how to prevent them from getting into your home.
Bed bugs are parasitic pests that are brown, small, and that live on the blood of humans. Full-grown, adult bed bugs have flat bodies and are about the size of an apple seed. However, after the bed bugs feed, their bodies will swell and turn a reddish-copper color. While bed bugs do not fly, they can easily and quickly spread throughout your home. Female bed bugs can lay hundreds of eggs, which are only the size of a speck of dust, during their life.
Nymphs are immature bed bugs and will shed their skin up to five times before reaching full maturity. Before each shedding, the nymph must feed on a host. When conditions are favorable, the bugs can develop in just a month and produce up to three new generations each year. While bed bugs are a nuisance, they do not transmit disease.
If you are dealing with these pests, there is a good chance that you want to learn how to get rid of them. Keep reading to learn more about bed bugs and how to keep them out of your home.
Where do bed bugs hide in my home?
Bed bugs can get into your home in several ways. They can enter via luggage, used couches or bedding, clothing, and other items. Since the bed bug has a flat body, it can easily fit into spaces as thin as a credit card.
Unlike other pests that may be in your home, bed bugs do not create any type of nest. Instead, they live together in hiding places in your home. Common hiding places include headboards, bed frames, box springs, and mattress piping, where they have easy access to people to feed on at night.
As time passes, bed bugs may scatter through your bedroom and move into any protected location or crevice. They can even move from room to room or apartment to apartment.
Since bed bugs live off of a host’s blood, having them in your home is not a sign that your home is dirty. You can find them in immaculate hotel rooms and homes, along with very dirty ones.
How can I prevent a bed bug infestation?
The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to prevent them in the first place. Try the following tips on your own to avoid household bed bug infestations.
- Avoid bringing home second hand fabric or wicker furniture.
- Place clothing in the dryer on high heat after returning from a vacation.
- Keep your luggage in the bathtub or on a stand in your hotel room.
- Know the signs of bed bug activity and take action by calling O’Connor immediately should you find evidence of bed bugs in your home.
It is also essential to get to know some signs that bed bugs may be present.
How can I tell if there are bed bugs in my home?
Fecal spots are a dead giveaway that you have a bed bug infestation on your hands. They look a lot like pen or sharpie marks, seen on bed frames and anywhere else bed bugs travel. Bed bugs are usually found in crevices and cracks during the day and come out to feed at night.
When bed bug issues begin, the concentration of these pests will probably be near your bed; however, as time passes, they will likely spread into other areas in a room and home. Bed bugs hide in tight spaces like behind outlet plates, in dresser drawers, in the corners of bed frames, and behind hung artwork or portraits.
How can O’Connor Pest Control get rid of bed bugs in my home?
There are several DIY bed bug treatments out there, but unfortunately, these are not always effective and can give you false peace of mind that the issue is resolved. Most store bought bed bug repellents and “natural” sprays simply scatter bed bugs, pushing them into other rooms of your house, increasing the infestation. This makes it even more challenging for pest control professionals to handle. If you suspect that you have bed bugs in your home, contact the professionals at O’Connor Pest Control. Our professional bed bug control and removal services will ensure that the bed bug infestation is eliminated. Call us or fill out the contact form on this page to schedule a bed bug inspection at your home!