Bed Bugs
About
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are pests that thrive in California and are a threat to any home or business. These small insects feed solely on human and animal blood, with people being their preferred hosts.
Bed bugs do most of their feeding at night while their hosts are sleeping. An adult is about the size and shape of an apple seed and is reddish-brown. Consuming blood meals changes their appearance slightly; after feeding, their body swells and turns a deeper red color.
Bed bugs do not fly and therefore move from place to place on people or our belongings. These insects are exceptional hitchhikers and a big reason why these pests are so difficult to avoid!
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Despite their ability to bite us and feed on our blood, bed bugs aren’t a dangerous pest. Unwanted and annoying, yes, but dangerous, no. The spread of diseases by bed bugs is not currently a huge concern. Those allergic to their saliva may develop a red itchy rash that is uncomfortable and prone to infection. The presence of bed bugs also interrupts sleep. It is hard to get a good night’s sleep when you know you are sharing your bed with biting insects!
Why do I have a bed bug problem?
Like other pests, bed bugs want to be close to food sources; unfortunately for us, this means that bed bugs like to be wherever we are. People can come into contact with bed bugs in various public places The more people that are coming and going from a structure, the more likely you are to come into contact with bed bugs and introduce them into your home.
Below is a quick overview of places we often find bed bugs:
- Hotels and motels
- Amusement parks
- Airports
- Movie theaters and libraries
- Laundry mats
- Dorm rooms
Where will I find bed bugs?
Once bed bugs get into your house, they congregate in areas where people sleep or sit for long periods. Bedrooms and family rooms often experience problems with these biting pests. Some of their favorite hideouts include the seams of mattresses, under the cushions of upholstered furniture, under rugs, inside wall cracks, and behind wall hangings.
An infestation may begin in one room of a home, but as the infestation grows, the bed bugs will migrate through walls and floors and invade new areas.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
At Hangtown Pest Control, we can provide you with the effective services needed to maintain a pest-free household. Our professionals are continuously trained on the latest bed bug control products, methods, and technologies, ensuring that you are receiving top-notch services! We design our pest control solutions to meet the unique needs of home and business owners located in and around Placerville, CA.
If you would like to learn more about eliminating a current problem with bed bugs or preventing future problems with these biting pests, call us today!
How can I prevent bed bugs in the future?
In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, protect your property from pests with the following prevention tips:
- When traveling, always inspect your sleeping areas for bed bugs before bringing your personal belongings inside.
- If you have overnight visitors, thoroughly clean the room where they stayed after their visit is over.
- Upon returning home from a trip, immediately wash and dry all clothing and thoroughly clean out any luggage taken before putting it away.
- If you can avoid it, don’t purchase used furniture or mattresses for your home.
- Place bed bug-proof covers on mattresses and box springs to eliminate one of their favorite hiding spots.
- Regularly vacuum your house to pick up any stray bed bugs that do find a way inside.