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DO YOU HAVE A BED BUG PROBLEM?

Do you have bed bugs hiding around your property? It can be hard to tell because they’re shy and are typically nocturnal. These apple-seed sized pests are a reddish color, and will become darker after a blood meal. Bed bugs will hide in cracks and crevices around your furniture and clothing. They can go up to 3 months without eating, but will become more active when they have babies to feed. You will be able to spot if they have attacked you. Those little nibbles often appear as red and itchy bumps, typically in a line or small clusters. Some people even experience hives or blistering at the bite site. You need to control bed bugs quickly because they can spread to different rooms and even vehicles as they hitch a ride on human clothing or bedding. Killing bed bugs yourself can be difficult, but at Sweets Pest Control, we know what to do to eliminate your bed bug problem.

SIGNS OF AN INFESTATION

BITE MARKS

Although bite marks from bed bugs aren’t often seen, some people experience hives or blistering at the bite site.

BLOOD SMEARS

You may see blood smears on sheets and pillowcases.

FECAL SPOTS

Fecal spots are seen as small, dark, sand-like droppings that occur in patches around and especially beneath nests.

NASTY ODORS

Bed bug feces are essentially just digested blood, containing iron which oxidizes and gives off an unpleasant, rusty smell. The odor from dead bed bugs and shed skin casings, which contain the glandular secretion reservoir, are also mixed in and results in a musty smell similar to dirty shoes or moldy laundry.

UNDERSTANDING BED BUGS

  • Bed bugs are most active while you sleep.
  • Bed bugs can quickly spread to different rooms and even vehicles as they hitch a ride on a human host, clothing, or bedding.
  • Adult bed bugs are light brown to reddish-brown, flattened, oval-shaped and have no hind wings.
  • Bed bugs have segmented abdomens with microscopic hairs that give them a banded appearance.
  • Adults grow to 4–5 mm in length (just over 3/16 inch) and 1.5–3 mm wide.
  • Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in color and become browner as they molt and reach maturity.
    •  Bed bugs may be mistaken for other insects, such as ticks, booklice, small cockroaches, or carpet beetles, however when warm and active, their movements are more ant-like, and they emit a characteristically disagreeable odor when crushed. 

     

    BED BUG PREVENTION TIPS

    • Store your clothing in vacuum-sealed bags. This is especially important when traveling, since bed bugs are most commonly transferred from hotels.
    • Bed bugs often hide within your carpet, so it’s important to thoroughly vacuum your carpets.
    • Clean your pet’s bed as bed bugs can be attracted to your pet’s bed where they can also find warm crevices to lay eggs and feed.

    HOW DO I GET RID OF MY BED BUG PROBLEMS?

    STEP 1: CONTACT

    Think you have a Bed Bug problem? Contact Sweets Pest Control for a free Bed Bug service quote.

    STEP 2: SCHEDULE

    Schedule your service with a time and date that works for you.

    STEP 3: SERVICE

    Our technician will conduct a thorough pest control inspection of your home and property in order to provide a customized Bed Bug treatment plan that will be most effective for your situation.

    STEP 4: REPORT

    You will receive a detailed report of the service provided and helpful recommendations to remain Bed Bug free.

    STEP 5: COVERAGE

    We come back regularly throughout the year to ensure the Bed Bugs don’t come back. If you see any Bed Bug activity between your regularly scheduled service or within your warranty timeframe, simply give us a call. We’ll come back at no additional charge to you!