Bed Bug Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bugs

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small parasitic pests that feed on the blood of warm-blood animals. They are problematic in our homes and businesses because people are their preferred hosts.

These insects grow to ¼ of an inch in length, have a flat oval shape, and are reddish-brown. To molt and then transition from one life stage to the next, they must consume a blood meal. Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, hiding near their sleeping hosts during the day and emerging at night to feed.

Bed bugs are efficient hitchhikers moving from structure to structure with the help of people. These wingless insects crawl onto people or inside our belongings and move wherever we take them. The ease of travel is a big reason why these pests thrive. Bed bugs constantly infest new structures as they move with people across streets, states, and countries. 

Are bed bugs dangerous?

Bed bugs are more of a serious nuisance than a danger. The good news is that bed bugs aren’t currently able to spread disease to people. However, when they bite through our skin to feed on our blood, they leave behind a small puncture and, in some people, a red itchy rash forms around the bite sites. Bed bug bites are usually discovered on areas of the body that are exposed during sleep – arms, legs, backs, and necks. Excessive itching at the bites can lead to secondary infections that require medical treatment.

Why do I have a bed bug problem?

Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating and difficult pests to control. Being small in size and nocturnal means they can hide in our homes and increase their numbers without notice. Despite their name, bed bugs do not just stay in bedrooms; they will crawl through walls, vents, and floors and infest multiple areas of a home.

Other reasons why these insects are so problematic include the following:

• They can live many months without a blood meal.
• They are prolific breeders, and a single female can lay 500 eggs during her lifetime.
• Bed bugs are resistant to most DIY, big-box store products.

There are many places you can unknowingly come into contact with bed bugs and then accidentally introduce them into your home, including hospitals, schools, amusement parks, resorts, airports, hotels, movie theaters, laundromats, and libraries. 

Where will I find bed bugs?

When bed bugs get into our homes, they hide in a variety of locations:

• Electrical outlets
• Electronics
• Under piles of dirty laundry
• Behind baseboards or trim
• Seams of mattresses
• Cracks in wooden furniture
• Behind the cushions of upholstered furniture

Their small size, combined with the dark, small spaces they hide within, make it difficult for homeowners to detect the presence of bed bugs in their homes. If you ever suspect a bed bug infestation, immediately partner with a professional. A pest control expert will provide the inspection, treatment, and recurring services necessary to get rid of bed bugs and prevent a reinfestation

How do I get rid of bed bugs?

The fact of the matter is that professional bed bug control is the best way to eliminate any bed bug infestation, no matter the size. Professionals will find and remove every bed bug that is inside your home. Trying to eliminate a bed bug infestation on your own will cost you time and money and only allow the infestation to grow and take over more of your home. Here at ATC Pest Control, we are a family-owned and operated company that is dedicated to our customers and providing high-quality pest control services. Call ATC Pest Control today for more information about the bed bug control solutions we offer homeowners in the Baltimore area.

If you need to get rid of problematic ants from your property, reach out to us at ATC Pest Control. We are a family-owned and operated company that makes your children and pets a priority. We offer high-quality pest control you can count on; we guarantee it! To learn more about our full-service pest control services and how they work to control and prevent ant activity, call us today. When quality counts, COUNT ON US!

How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?

Here is a list of our most helpful bed bug prevention tips to prevent an infestation from developing in your home.

• Vacuum cracks and crevices throughout your home on a regular basis. 
• Always inspect secondhand items you bring into your home for hitchhiking bed bugs. 
• Don’t let dirty laundry pile up on the floors of your home.
• Seal your family’s mattresses and box springs in bed bug proof covers.
• Always inspect luggage for bed bugs and wash all clothing taken after returning home from travel. 

The above tips and regular home pest control services will assist you in keeping bed bugs out of your home.