frequently asked questions

Heat treatments are one of the most effective strategies that pest control companies can use to rid your home of a bed bug infestation. Heat services involve the use of a portable industrial heater that heats a room or your entire house to above 120 degrees Fahrenheit for a prolonged period to eliminate bed bugs. Heat treatments are an effective way of killing bed bugs instantly and the best pest professionals prefer using the heat method over pesticides or spraying chemicals.

Yes, bed bugs can be found in Arizona and all around the world. They are very resilient, hitch-hiking on clothing, luggage, purses, packaging, used furniture, guests belongings, and more.

First, let’s start with the obvious, if you wake up with itchy areas that weren’t there when you went to bed, you may have bed bugs. Particularly, if you continue to find little itchy welts, sometimes accompanied by dried blood on your skin. If this is happening contact a bed bug extermination professional ASAP.

Some other signs that aren’t quite as obvious, that indicate you have bed begs include:

• Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases

• Dark or rusty spots of bedbug excrement on sheets and mattresses, bed clothes, and walls

• Bed bug fecal spots, eggshells, or shed skins in areas where bedbugs hide

• An unpleasant, musty odor from the bugs’ scent glands

Full-grown, adult bed bugs are only about the size of an apple seed and eggs can be as small as a speck of dust, making them near impossible to see clearly with the naked eye! Couple that tiny size, with their “camouflage” brownish color, and it’s easy to see why they are so commonly misidentified. They have six legs which is the easiest way to identify them.

Yes, heat is one of the best and most effective ways to completely exterminate bed bugs. Bed bugs exposed to 113°F for a prolonged period will die. This is typically 90 minutes or more, however, they will die within just 20 minutes if exposed to 118°F. Interestingly and importantly, bed bug eggs must be exposed to 118°F for 90 minutes to ensure 100% mortality.

Pests are attracted to the basic survival needs – food, water, and shelter. One technique to keep pests out of your home is to remove their food and water sources. Simple measures such as keeping food in sealed containers and cleaning up any crumbs from food preparation and mealtimes can help keep these pests away. Also fixing leaky pipes, faucets and drains ensures that if pests do get in, they won’t have the ideal living environment where they can thrive.

Pests enter structures through cracks and crevices, or by hitchhiking on you, your pests or objects like firewood, luggage, and used furniture. Windows, doors, damaged screens and foundations are all common places for pests to enter the home. To keep pests out, inspect your home regularly for entry points and inspect objects and belongings before you bring them into the home, especially after traveling.

Most pests like damp areas, so the bathroom and kitchen are common problem areas. Any areas where there is exposed wood – especially if it is in contact with the ground outside should be inspected carefully. Termites love damp, exposed wood where they can easily burrow in. Basements, attics, roofs and foundations should be kept well ventilated, dry and clutter free to avoid providing an ideal living area for unwanted pests.

There are a few steps that can be taken to limit access into your home and keep scorpions out. First, seal your home of all holes and cracks where they may be able to enter. Next, maintain your yard and keep leaves, wood, and other yard debris away from the house. If you suspect you have a scorpion problem, go outside at night with a black light and look for them. BE CAREFUL; and do not disturb that you find. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Termites are small, white, tan, or black insects that are commonly mistaken for ants. The worker termites are very delicate and can dry out if left in the sun too long, that’s why most termites are found in warm, dark, humid areas. Termites are often found in areas where there is poor drainage, in tree stumps, in the damp soil under the slab, and in mulch beds. Any termite activity can pose a significant risk to your home.

This is a very common question, especially in high traffic areas such as hotels and apartment buildings. Bed bugs can affect anyone; even the cleanest and most organized homes can have a bed bug problem. The easiest way to describe a bed bug bite is that it looks like a flea or mosquito bite. What sets them apart is that bed bugs tend to bite in clusters of 3-4 bites. These bites will usually cause raised itchy welts and will go away in 1-2 weeks.