HOW BED BUGS FIND THEIR WAY INTO YOUR CHICAGO HOME OR BUSINESS

Bed bugs are a difficult pest to eradicate because they may quickly infest and multiply indoors. Bed bug infestations can strike Chicago residents and business owners at any time. The good news is that bed bugs require assistance to enter your house or business. Unlike ants, wasps, and most other common insects, these pests do not breed outdoors in nests, hives, or colonies. Bed bugs require an active host in order to establish an infestation in your home or workplace. The (very) bad news is that the majority of people who carry bed bugs are completely unaware of it. Bed bugs are small and unable to fly, allowing them to grip onto you without being seen.

Bed bugs may be a major annoyance in Chicago and around the United States (and the world). They hide in bed frames, furniture, light socket covers, hanging photo frames, and textile products, among other places.

HOW DO BED BUGS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES INTO A HOUSE OR BUSINESS?

Bed bugs, however, are a year-round problem. Bed bugs will stay and feed on your blood until they are professionally eradicated if they locate a host and little gaps to hide in. You're probably most aware of bed bug hitchhikers since they spread swiftly during traditionally popular travel periods, such as summer vacation and the winter holiday season. While staying in motels, flying, or visiting somewhere as a guest, they get on your clothes and into your bags. Then you inadvertently bring them inside a house. Infested units that are left untreated can lead to new infestations in nearby households, making bed bug infestations particularly problematic for those who live in connected structures such as row homes or apartment complexes. Bed bugs can also be found on public transit, airlines, movie theaters, and other areas where you sit for a lengthy amount of time, though this is less usual.

HOW CAN BED BUGS BE AVOIDED?

This can be simple in some cases if you know how to accomplish it ahead of time. For instance, after a trip, wash all of your clothes and dry them on high heat in the dryer. To destroy bed bugs, you must expose them to temperatures of 120 degrees for at least 20 minutes. It's also crucial to keep your bags and things upright rather than sitting on furniture or the bed while staying in a hotel. To discourage bed bugs, place luggage on folding metal luggage racks or in the bathtub. Luggage is one of the most common ways for bed bugs to spread from a hotel to your house.

WHAT SIGNS DO YOU HAVE A BED BUG INFESTATION?

Unfortunately, for most people, the first indicator is a cluster of raised, red bites on their skin as they wake up. Despite the fact that this is the most visible symptom of bed bug activity, everyone has a varied reaction to it. Some people may not acquire itching pimples after being bitten by bed bugs.

Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, measuring 5 to 7 mm in length. If they haven't eaten in a while, their bodies are long, flat, and oval-shaped; if they have, their bodies are reddish-brown and rounder. They have four-part antennas and a three-segmented beak, but they can't fly. If you have a keen sense of smell, you may detect a musty, sweet odor.

Young bed bugs, also known as nymphs, are smaller and lighter in color than adults. Although they have many of the same traits as adult bed bugs, they are nearly unnoticeable if they haven't been fed recently. Eggs, as you might assume, are practically invisible and are roughly the size of a pinhead. They are also white.

Adult bed bugs are frequently confused with other pests such as bat bugs or beetles. Bed bug infestations can also be detected by the spotting they leave behind, which resembles little dots drawn with a black pen or marker.

SHOULD I HIRE AN EXTERMINATOR TO GET RID OF THE BED BUGS?

If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, you must act quickly. Bed bugs proliferate and spread more swiftly the longer you wait. Despite the numerous claims of "simple" and "fast" DIY treatments, only pest control specialists have the professional instruments and extensive training required to manage bed bug infestations. This is a massive undertaking that you will not be able to handle on your own. You can wash and dry your linens and blankets, but the bugs are likely already in your mattress, walls, and corners, so you won't be able to get rid of them all on your own.

A1 Pestmasters has decades of experience exterminating bed bugs for both residential and commercial clients, including hotels, motels, and rental properties. Chicago bed bug experts can help you prevent bed bugs from entering your home, give treatments if you already have a bed bug infestation, and perform preventive inspections so you may catch the problem early and avoid a serious infestation. Are you a Chicago resident or a company owner? For more information on How Bed Bugs Find Their Way Into Your Chicago Home Or Business or to schedule a free bed bug inspection, call us or bed bug experts near me.