Bed bugs are on the rise throughout America and other parts of the world. This week, for bed bug awareness week, we take a look at some of the frequently asked questions regarding these blood sucking insects. For more information about bed bugs and how to exterminate them, check out our other blog articles and information on our website azexpest.com.
What is a bed bug?
Bed bugs are flat wingless insects that grow to about .2 inches when adult. At the nymph stage the bed bug body is nearly transparent, making them that much more difficult to spot. Adult Bed bugs have an oval body and a short, broad head. The body as a whole is broad and flat. Unfed adults are brown and wingless. After feeding, they swell slightly in size and darken to a blood-red color.
Bed bugs live by sucking blood from their victims, but have been known to live for weeks, or even months between blood meals. Bed bugs usually bite at night, but also have been known to bite during the day in the right conditions.
Where do you find bed bugs?
Bed bugs are commonly found in mattresses, bed linens, in box springs and around the bed room of homes. They can also be found in furniture, in cracks in the walls, inside curtains and even in the carpets and ceilings. Bed bugs are not limited to the home bed room, there have been many reports of bed bugs findings at movie theaters, businesses, senior living facilities, hotels, motels, and public transportation. Once bed bugs are located in a room, it is not uncommon for the bugs to venture into other rooms through the walls and doors.
Who can get bed bugs?
Anyone can get bed bugs! Bed bugs can infect any home, weather it is clean or cluttered, new or old, an apartment or a stand-alone home. Bed bugs also infect public locations like busses, airplanes, movie theaters and more.
How do bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs are some of the world’s smallest hitch hikers. Usually bed bugs are brought to the home in clothing, luggage, or used furniture. Common places to pick up the bugs include hotels, motels, public transportation and used furniture. Safety precautions when traveling can greatly reduce your likelihood to bring home bed bugs. Check out “Keeping your family safe from bed bugs this summer” for more info. http://azexpest.com/keeping-your-family-safe-from-bed-bugs-this-summer/
How do I avoid getting bed bugs?
- Don’t take in used furniture or mattresses unless thoroughly cleaned and inspected first
- Always inspect your hotel room when traveling. Read More info here…. http://azexpest.com/keeping-your-family-safe-from-bed-bugs-this-summer/
- Use hard shell luggage to reduce the placed the bed bugs can hide.
- Don’t sit your luggage on the bed or floor when staying in a hotel/motel. Always use the luggage rack or a table/dresser to sit your suitcase and clothes on.
- When bringing home used clothes from a yard sale or thrift shop, always wash and dry clothes on high heat before placing in your drawers.
- If you go somewhere with bed bugs, make sure to alert the property manager or owner and take special precautions when returning home.
For more info see our other blog articles:
http://azexpest.com/keeping-your-family-safe-from-bed-bugs-this-summer/
http://azexpest.com/dont-let-the-bed-bugs-bite/
http://azexpest.com/find-bed-bugs-before-they-find-you/
How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Bed bugs can be hard to spot without a trained eye, if you think you may have a bed bug problem, its best to call in the professionals to do a thorough inspection of the space. Azex Pest Solutions offers experienced professional inspections as well as trained K-9 detection. Call for your free quote today at 877-445-2847.
What do bed bug bites look like, and are they dangerous?
The easiest way to describe a bed bug bite is that it is similar to that of a mosquito or a flea. Usually affected individuals will complain of localized itching and reddish-colored skin lesions, which may look like a flat welt or a raised bump. Sometimes, the bites can be found in clusters or in a linear pattern of threes or fours. Typically, these skin lesions will go away after one to two weeks. Bed bug bites can be dangerous if prolonged exposure to bites occur. For more information about bed bug bites, check out our blog “Don’t let the bed bugs bite…” http://azexpest.com/dont-let-the-bed-bugs-bite/
What are some of the ways to get rid of bed bugs?
There are many ways that people try to get rid of bed bugs. Some of which include dangerous chemicals, DIY attempts with poisons, washing and wrapping items in plastic, throwing away infected furniture and pouring boiling water on infected areas. These DIY attempts rarely work due to the bed bugs amazing resistance and incredibly small size. Professionals, like AZEX Pest Solutions use a combination of Heat, Chemicals, and K-9 detection to ensure that all bed bugs have been eliminated. Heat is an extremely effective way to rid an entire room or home of bed bugs because the heat can permeate the entire structure, leaving the bed bugs nowhere to hide. There is no need to remove or throw away any furniture with the heat treatment. For more info about heat treatments check out http://azexpest.com/heat-treatment/.
Tell me more….
Contact Azex Pest today for a free consultation and to schedule an inspection if you think you may have bed bugs. Azex Pest is one of the most experienced pest elimination companies in Arizona. With over 8 years of experience in bed bug elimination, AZEX makes eliminating your home or business of bed bugs look easy.
GO WITH THE INNOVATORS…. NOT THE IMITATORS!
Contact AZEX today!
AZEX Pest Solutions – Phoenix, AZ
3218 E. Bell Rd. #328
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
MAIN: 602-535-2151
AZEX Pest Solutions – Prescott, AZ
P.O. Box 11493
Prescott, Arizona 86304
MAIN: 928-445-5820
