For Bed Bug Removal in Middle Tennessee, Call Smash Pest Control
“Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” We’ve all heard the age-old nursery rhyme. For a lot of us, it’s a pleasant callback to childhood storytimes before bed. For others, it’s a reminder of a real problem – a bed bug infestation forcing you to frantically type “bed bug removal near me” into your search bar.
Bed bugs are the stuff of nightmares. They crawl out of their hiding spaces at night, suck our blood, and disappear back into the shadows biding their time before they can strike again.
Pest control for bed bugs isn’t easy. You need a skilled and experienced professional to correctly identify bed bugs as the problem and form a plan to eradicate them completely. Residents in Middle Tennessee can turn to Smash Pest Control for expert bed bug control services and more. Get us on the phone or schedule your free inspection online today.
Bed Bug Extermination: How We Treat Them
Effectively treating bed bugs is a collaborative process that requires both professional help and cooperation and assistance from the homeowner. The key to control is locating and treating all cracks and crevices where the bed bugs may be hidden. This can include tufts, folds, and seams of mattresses, and the cracks in the box spring and bed frame.
Non-chemical control measures like vacuuming, encasements, steaming, laundering, and removal of infested items may also be necessary to achieve control. Often multiple treatments may be required to eliminate an infestation.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feed on blood. They’re preferred hosts are humans, but they will feed on warm-blooded animals if a human isn’t available. Bed bugs can locate hosts because they are attracted to the carbon dioxide and heat we give off.
Adult bed bugs have flat, oval-shaped bodies. They are a rust-like reddish brown, but after they feed, their bodies become engorged and they appear more red due to the fresh blood. While they are small in size – about four to five millimeters in length – bed bugs are visible to the naked eye.
Newly hatched and adolescent bed bugs are called nymphs. They go through five molts – shedding the exoskeleton – before they reach maturity. Nymphs are harder to spot because they’re translucent unless they’ve recently fed, in which case you may be able to see a small red dot in the center of their bodies. They’re not as big as adult bed bugs, clocking in at about one and a half to three millimeters during the nymph stage. For reference, that’s smaller than a sesame seed.
Do Bed Bugs Fly or Jump?
Bed bugs have wing pads, but they’re not actually able to grow functional wings – and are therefore unable to fly. They’re competent climbers, but bed bugs don’t have the leg strength to jump. If your home or business has an infestation of winged insects or jumping bugs, it’s unlikely bed bugs. Check out our Pest Guide to get a better look at the possible culprit.
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From?
Bed bugs aren’t like other household pests that are attracted by easy opportunities to feed, like missed crumbs and pet food. We’re their primary food source, and you can still get them even if you keep your home in pristine condition (however, clutter could make it tougher to effectively treat bed bugs).
How Do I Prevent Bed Bug Infestations?
Bed bugs are world-renowned hitchhikers, and commonly find their way into our homes via luggage, clothing, furniture, and other unknowing people. It’s nearly impossible to prevent an infestation, but catching an infestation in its early stages can stop it before it gets out of hand.
Before you panic and refuse to leave your home again, we do have some tips to lower your chances of picking up a bed bug passenger:
- Take precautions when traveling. If you stay at a hotel, check your room for signs of bed bugs before unpacking. Don’t put luggage down on the bed, use luggage racks instead.
- Carefully inspect used furniture. Get a flashlight and look over any secondhand furniture before bringing it into your home.
- Encase your mattress and box spring. Take away their favorite nesting spots by encasing your mattress and box spring with a protective cover. Be sure to periodically check the cover for holes and tears.
- Be mindful when using public transportation. If you’re traveling on public transportation, try not to place your belongings on seats.
How To Check for Bed Bugs
Bed bug infestations are usually detected by the welts and irritations caused by the bites that can mimic mosquito bites. The biggest difference between mosquito and bed bug bites is that mosquito bites often appear as singular bites, while bed bugs can leave tight clusters of three or more bites. You can also identify bed bugs by the fecal smears and blood spots visible on pillowcases, sheets, and mattresses. Heavy infestations may even be accompanied by a distinct odor.
Bed bugs like to stay close to their hosts, but contrary to their name, they don’t only nest in beds. Don’t miss these bed bug hotspots during your check:
- Mattresses, box springs, and bedding
- Bed frame and headboard
- Nearby nightstands and dressers
- Electrical outlets
- Behind and in wall decor
- Cracks and crevices in the wall
- Beneath peeling wall paint
How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?
Scientists disagree on how long a bed bug can survive without a host. Some studies have stated they last as little as 20 days, while others have claimed they can manage for up to 400 days without a meal.
What we do know is that the lifespans of bed bugs are affected by regular access to blood and temperature. In warmer climates, their metabolism speeds up and they don’t live as long as bed bugs in areas with cold weather.
Can I Get Rid of Bed Bugs on My Own?
DIY bed bug control is never advisable. Bed bugs are the champions of hide-and-seek and can flatten themselves out to hide in the tiniest spaces. If you don’t have the proper experience and equipment to take on an active infestation, you’ll only push the bed bugs to spread into other areas of your home (or neighboring dwellings, if you live in a space with multiple units).
Save yourself the time and the sleepless nights, and call Smash Pest Control to deal with the problem.
Let Us Smash Your Bed Bug Problem
If you have seen early signs of a bed bug infestation or are waking up in the morning with mysterious bites, don’t wait – get in touch with Smash Pest Control for a free inspection today.
Call us at 615-551-4029 or book online now.
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