Of all the uninvited insects that may make your home their new residence, bed-bugs are one of the most stressful to deal with. They are sneaky-pests. Tiny, elusive critters that are great at hiding, biting, and making themselves comfortable in your bed (and couch, and dresser) without asking permission. So even though bed-bugs are small, they can cause big problems in the form of sleepless nights, itchy welts, and anxiety for Alabama homeowners and those in the U.S. in general.
At Steel City Pest, we understand how difficult bed-bugs are to treat—and why professional help is typically necessary. That’s why in this bed-bugs guide, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about these sneaky-pests, including the must-know facts on how to spot and eliminate them for good.
Identify the Culprits: What are Bed Bugs?
Bed-bugs (Cimex lectularius) are reddish-brown, flat, and oval insects that grow to be around the size of an apple seed. They live by feeding exclusively on blood, human blood in particular. Although they’re named for their affinity to beds, these sneaky-pests are not limited to bedrooms.
Bed bugs can be found:
- In furniture seams and joints
- Behind baseboards and wallpaper
- In electrical outlets and picture frames
- Inside luggage, backpacks, and purses
The sneaky-pests ability to hide in tight crevices and cracks makes them especially hard to spot and even more difficult to get rid of without expert help.
How Do Bed Bugs Get Inside Homes?
One of the most aggravating facts about bed-bugs is that they don’t care if your home is spotless or cluttered—they can infiltrate either. Bed-bugs are hitchhiking insects by nature, which means they usually enter your home through travel and other activities such as:
- Transportation: Hotels, motels, and rental properties of all kinds are notorious for bed-bug infestations. Bed-bugs can easily attach themselves to luggage and clothing.
- Second-Hand Furniture: Flea markets and garage sales may be a great way to find new furniture for your home, but they can also be home to bed-bugs.
- Visitors: Friends and family members may unknowingly bring bed-bugs into your home.
- Apartment Buildings: Bed-bugs can spread easily from unit to unit in apartment complexes and other multi-family dwellings.
Look Out for These Bed Bug Signs
Spotting bed-bugs early is the best way to prevent a full-blown infestation. These sneaky-pests are experts at avoiding detection. However, they do leave signs behind, which include:
- Bite Marks: Bed-bugs leave behind itchy red bumps in the shape of small welts. These bites are often in a straight line or in clusters on areas of exposed skin while asleep.
- Blood Stains: Small reddish smears on sheets, pillowcases, or clothing from squashed bed-bugs.
- Dark Spots: Small pepper-like droppings on mattresses, bedding, and surrounding walls.
- Dead Bugs: Exoskeletons of molted skins.
- Musty Smell: The odor of bed-bugs is a strong, sweet smell. If your home has a lot of bed-bugs, you’ll smell them before you see them.
Need a bed-bug inspection? Contact us for a free quote.
Are Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Although these sneaky-pests aren’t dangerous in the sense that they carry disease like mosquitoes and ticks, that doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. The presence of bed-bugs in your home can lead to:
- Allergic Reactions: Bed-bug bites can be more than just itchy. Severe cases can include swelling, itching, and welts.
- Sleep Loss: Anxiety over bed-bugs and the itching they cause can lead to insomnia and fatigue.
- Secondary Infections: Scratching bites to the point of breaking the skin can lead to infection.
- Emotional Stress: Sharing your home with sneaky-pests can cause stress, anxiety, and shame.
Bed-Bug Prevention
Eliminating an active bed-bug infestation isn’t exactly a DIY-friendly job. Over-the-counter sprays and at-home remedies are rarely effective against bed-bugs, and not for a lack of trying. These sneaky-pests are built to be hard to kill, stubborn, and have the gift of invisibility when it comes to their hiding spots. So for the most effective and long-lasting results, trust the professionals.
Bed Bug Extermination Methods
Bed Bug Heat Treatment
Heat is a highly effective bed-bug treatment because heat is used to raise the room temperature high enough to kill bed-bugs in all stages of their life cycle without damaging your home. Steel City Pest uses specialized equipment to treat with this temperature.
Targeted Bed Bug Insecticide Applications
Licensed pest professionals also use EPA-registered and approved products to treat those areas where bed-bugs frequent. This treatment is often used in combination with heat.
Vacuuming & Steam Cleaning
Vacuuming and steam cleaning are great for removing visible bed-bugs. However, the steam and suction from vacuums don’t always penetrate deep enough to be completely effective on their own.
Mattress Encasements
Encasing your mattress and box spring traps these sneaky-pests inside, preventing bed-bugs from escaping or getting a blood meal, which will eventually kill them.
Follow-Up Treatments
Bed-bugs are reproductive insects. So, after treatment, a follow-up visit is important to ensure all the eggs have hatched and been killed before they have the opportunity to re-infest your home.
Bed Bug Prevention Tips
- Inspect Second-Hand Furniture: Check seams, cracks, and crevices before bringing second-hand furniture inside.
- Inspect Hotel Rooms: Pull back sheets, lift the mattress, and keep luggage off the floor.
- Seal All Cracks: Cracks in floors and walls are great places for bed-bugs to hide, so plug and caulk cracks as much as possible.
- Protective Covers: Bed-bug-proof mattress and box spring covers are an extra line of defense.
- Practice Vigilance: Always wash clothes in hot water after traveling and carefully inspect luggage before bringing inside.
Steel City Pest for Pest Prevention & Bed Bug Treatment
At Steel City Pest, we know how unsettling it can be to find bed-bugs in your home. We also know you’re going to want them gone as soon as possible, and that’s why we provide:
- Same day service availability for urgent matters
- Safe, family- and pet-friendly treatment options
- Proven bed-bug treatments such as heat and targeted pesticides
- Long-term bed-bug prevention strategies
- Ongoing customer support and follow-up visits to ensure success
Fight Back Against Bed Bugs
Bed-bugs may be small, but they bring a world of problems with them to homes in Alabama. These sneaky-pests know how to lay low, but so do we. The experts at Steel City Pest have the information, tools, and experience you need to take action against bed-bugs.
If you suspect a bed-bug infestation, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact us today for a free quote on bed-bug treatment in Alabama. Our proven methods and tried-and-true techniques will help you regain your home and your sleep.
