Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!
You’ve heard this phrase several times and probably never gave the idea of bed bugs a second thought. That is until you find them in your bed one day.
These nasty tiny insects can cause a lot of frustration and pain if they infest your home in Maryland. Leaving small, itchy bites on your skin and a sense of feeling “dirty,” you’ll want to get rid of them quickly.
In reality, bed bugs are more common than you may think. They don’t enter your home because you’re filthy. They are transferred quite easily and can be quite simple to get rid of with the help of professional pest control services.
In this article, we’re going to dive into everything you should know about bed bugs, how to identify an infestation, prevent an infestation, and effectively get rid of them if they do enter your home.
What Are Bed Bugs?
First things first, what are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that like to live on mattresses, box springs, and other furniture. They are flightless but tend to crawl extremely quickly. The size of an apple seed, a bed bug survives off of blood.
Identifying a Bed Bug Infestation
There are a few telltale signs that your home in Maryland has been invaded by these tiny terrors.
The first sign is that you wake up with little red, itchy bites on your skin. There are usually small areas with a number of bites where your skin may have been exposed.
A second sign that you have a bed bug infestation is that you have small blood stains on your sheets. This is caused by the bites you get while you sleep.
The third and most incriminating sign that you have bed bugs is if you actually see them. You can identify these little insects with a bright flashlight. Turn off the lights in the room, as they like the dark and come out at night, and examine the seams and edges of your mattress.
How are Bed Bugs Transferred?
Since bed bugs are such tiny creatures, you may be wondering how they transfer from place to place, causing awful infestations. The primary way they are transferred by attaching onto clothing or luggage that is moved from one infested area to a non-infested area.
They then lay eggs and multiply quickly in their new host’s area.
Main Causes of Bed Bug Infestations
Now that we’ve discussed how bed bugs transfer from place to place, there are three main causes of these infestations. Remember, just because you have a bed bug infestation does not mean that you are dirty. It simply means you came into contact with an already infected area.
Traveling
Traveling both domestically and internationally is the number one cause of bed bug infestations. Places with high turnover rates, such as hotels, motels, and Airbnb’s are prime spots for picking up bed bugs.
Not only could you bring home bed bugs from sleeping on the beds in these accommodations, but they can also find their way into your luggage if you put it on the bed or other furniture.
Buying Used Furniture
Why pay full price when you can get something like-new at a discount?
Buying used furniture or getting it from a friend or relative is another cause of a bed bug infestation. You could unknowingly purchase a piece of furniture that already has some bed bugs or eggs in it, just waiting to give you little bites.
Before purchasing used furniture, use a flashlight and look closely at the edges, seams, and any cracks there may be in the furniture for bed bugs.
Schools & Colleges
Another means that bed bugs use to make their rounds is via schools, colleges and even daycare centers. Since these insects transfer so easily through clothing and other cloth materials, your kids can unknowingly bring them home from school or when they come home on college break.
Once they’re home, your kids will lay on the couch or crawl in bed and guess what? Bed bugs just found their new place to rest, eat, and infest.
Preventing a Bed Bug Infestation
You can do some things to prevent a bed bug infestation from happening in the first place.
When at home, clean it often. Wash your sheets once a week and dry in a dryer on high heat. Vacuum regularly and keep areas clutter-free.
While traveling, check the bottom seams and folds of the bed with a flashlight before sitting or lying on it. You’ll be able to see these tiny insects with no problem. Also, don’t place your suitcase on the furniture or where the wall meets the floor.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
If you’ve identified bed bugs in your home in Maryland, there are a handful of ways that you can get rid of them. It can be time-consuming, and you must pay close attention to get each and every one. Just a couple left over can cause another infestation quickly.
Clean the Area
Vacuum and clean the infested area. Most likely, this area is your bedroom. Make sure to vacuum any carpets, cracks between the floor and the wall, and around your bed.
Pick up any clutter in your room that may provide them a place to crawl into and live. A clean and decluttered home leaves less room for unwanted guests.
Put Clothes, Sheets, and Blankets in the Dryer
As you clean the area, put the clothes you’ve worn, sheets, and blankets from your bed in the dryer at a very high temperature. Usually, any temperature over 122 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bed bugs.
Mattress & Box Spring Encasement
An encasement encloses your mattress and box spring and the zipper secures it so that bed bugs cannot penetrate it. The bed bugs that are already inside cannot get to their food source so they will eventually die off.
Once the encasement is installed, it should never be taken off. You may also want to invest in a mattress protector to put over the encasement. This will help to keep it secure and create some space between you and the bugs.
Call a Professional Exterminator
Bed bugs are no joke. They aren’t easy to get rid of on your own and require a lot of attention to detail and patience.
In most cases, it’s best to call a professional exterminator. As they are experienced and have the necessary tools and techniques to squash your bed bug infestation quickly, this should really be your first choice.
Bed Bug Infestation? Call Brody Brothers!
If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation in your Maryland home, call Brody Brothers Quality Pest Control.
Bed bugs fear the Brody Brothers!
Not only will our high-grade equipment and techniques get rid of bed bugs in your home quickly, but also safely and effectively.
Give us a call to schedule your extermination appointment today!
