Over the past several years, we have seen an increase in Bed bug activity, with most infestations located in Residential homes, rentals, and hotels. Bed Bugs have been around for thousands of years, but only recently has social media and the news outlets started to focus on their ever-increasing activity levels. In today’s day and age, negative reviews can ruin reputations and destroy businesses – this proves to be more than true when the review involves Bed Bugs. So, it begs the question – What are Bed Bugs? Today, were going to cover everything you need to know regarding treatments, tips, FAQs, prevention, signs of an infestations, and more.

In most Bed Bugs infestations, the host will have been bit for quite some time before they realize that they have an active Bed Bug problem in their home or hotel. The problem with most insect bites, is that it’s extremely hard to tell the difference between a Bed Bug Bite, Spider Bite, and Mosquito Bite – Especially if the host is very sensitive to insect stings.

In most cases, Bed Bugs will feed at night, unless of course you work nights and sleep during the day, Bed Bugs are most active when you are not. This a great defensive trait they have developed to stay out of sight and in the shadows, waiting to feed undisturbed. Now for the fun part! To feed, Bed Bugs pierce the skin of their victim and inject an anticoagulant like Mosquitoes. This enables the hosts blood to flow easier, resulting in a quicker feeding time, this feeding time can last between 5 to 10 minutes and in almost all cases is 100% painless. Unlike other insects, Bed Bugs don’t stick around for long after they have fed. Once full, Bed Bugs quickly take off back to a secluded area, digesting their meal in peace.

Although it has yet to be proven that Bed Bugs can transmit diseases to humans, Bed Bugs are still the #1 insect having the most physiological impact on their hosts. The thought of being eaten alive while sleeping can make even the bravest soul shiver in fear and discomfort. In most cases, Bed Bug bites or risk of diseases are the least of concern. After the infestation has been identified and confirmed, then begins the sleepless nights, anxiety, stress, paranoia, and even depression. Mice, Spiders, Ants, and Cockroaches, these are all common pests, but when you mention a Bed Bug infestation to friends or family, people tend to keep their distance.

Bed Bugs don’t come out to be found easily, so it’s important when doing a Bed Bug inspection to THINK like a Bed Bug, where would you hide? As mentioned above, locating new or small Bed Bug infestations can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Focusing on the mattress, box spring, and sheets is the first step when trying to inspect for Bed Bug activity. The first thing you need to do is carefully remove any bed sheets and take them immediately to the dryer, dry on high heat for 30 minutes or more. Then, take your bed apart, piece by piece, do this slowly as to not disturb and scatter the insects. Inspect inside the seams of the mattress, then flip the mattress over and repeat. We recommend using gloves, a flashlight, and the help of a friend or family member when flipping over the mattress or lifting anything heavy. Before buying a home it’s important to inspect all bedroom areas for signs of an active Bed Bug Infestations, make sure you find a Realtor that’s experience and has an understanding of pest that can cause damages.

Remember – there is NO SUCH THING as being to thorough in a Bed Bug inspection. Knowing exactly what to look for is crucial in order to successfully identify a Bed Bug infestation. While performing an inspection, you want to look for three things. First, check for dark brown or red spots, these are Bed Bug feces (your blood). Usually you will find them in bunches where the Bed Bug hides to digest their meal. The second thing you want to look for is skin shedding’s left behind by Bed Bugs. As Bed Bugs grow, they molt, leaving empty shells of their previous shape and size. A blood meal is required between each molt for a Bed Bug to move on to its next stage in life. This means, if you find several skin shedding’s, then chances are the infestation in more than just a “few bugs”. Lastly, you want to look for the bugs themselves. With a trained eye, this is the easiest way to spot for activity, especially around the mattress seams and underbelly of the box spring. It’s best to inspect during the day as Bed Bugs are less active and can be spotted before they start to crawl away. Our Calgary Pest Control technicians are standing by!

It’s important to not limit your search to just the mattress and box spring. Bed Bugs have been found hiding on books, TV’s, shelves, baseboards, dressers, drawers, walls, ceiling, lights, vents, electrical outlets, headboard, basically all areas of a bedroom. Bed Bugs also love to hide in wood – It’s a safe place for them to lay their eggs as well due to all the cracks and crevices. After you have successfully completed inspecting the bedroom, it’s time to move on to furniture in the living room and common areas. Couches, chairs, recliners, and tables are all great spots for Bed Bugs to hide, patiently awaiting their next meal.

Finally – check the carpet. This can be a difficult task depending on the color, texture, and length of fibers. Focusing on carpet along the baseboards is the most likely place to find Bed Bug activity. A good way to check for Bed Bug activity in carpeted areas, is to completely empty the vacuum and go over a selected spot. Then, layout the contents to inspect – this is best done with a canister vacuum. If you find a Bed Bug, stop the inspection immediately, and contact a local Pest Control Company right away. To be sure, take an image of the suspected Bed Bug next to a coin for reference in size, then send it to a local pest control company for proper identification. One Bed Bug, or hundreds, the treatment process will be the same. Stopping the inspection once a confirmed Bed Bug is found will decrease the chances of the insects spreading before a professional treatment can be applied. If you need help with Bed Bug identification, contact us today.

Recent statistics show that when it comes to Bed Bugs, 97.8% of homeowners are unsuccessful at eliminating an infestation without the help from an experienced, licensed, and trained Pest Control Company. Simply put, chemicals purchased from local hardware stores don’t work as advertised and should not be used by homeowners when dealing with a Bed Bug infestation, big or small. This will only cause the infestation to spread out and be much harder to treat in the long run. There are two main types of Bed Bug treatments in Canada – Chemical and Heat. Both have their own pros and cons, but the most popular option by far is chemical. It’s important to remember, chemical applications should come with a guarantee – In Canada, 90 days is industry standard. Stay clear of any pest control provider that charges per visit or offers no guarantee, Bed Bugs are one of the hardest insects to eliminate, the last thing you want is to have a company provide the service and disappear overnight. Check out this article on What Not To Do When Trying To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs.

Although we ALWAYS recommend contacting a Pest Control provider ASAP if Bed Bugs are present, there are some things that can be done to help with treatments, be proactive, and to monitor for activity. Keep in mind, the longer you wait to contact a professional, the larger the infestation will get, along with the costs associated. Some of these preventive measure’s homeowners can do include:

• Launder all belongings when back from vacation before putting them away.
• If spending the night away from home, immediately upon returning, place all clothes in the laundry. Do not throw into laundry basket or leave on the floor.
• Do not buy used bedding or furniture.
• Replace your box spring and mattress every 5 years.
• Vacuum frequently and inspect the vacuum canister contents once every month.
• Constantly be on the look out for signs and symptoms of Bed Bug bites and infestations.
• ALWAYS have a Bed Bug Cover on both the mattress and box spring in all bedrooms.
• Use white sheets, comforters, and pillowcases to easily spot Bed Bug activity.
• Wash all bedding every 4 – 5 days.
• Do a proactive Bed Bug inspection once a month.

The number one location most Bed Bugs are found, is inside residential homes. Not only can a Bed Bug infestation multiply at an alarming rate, you can pick them up by simply visiting a friend or family members home. Bed Bugs love couches, chairs, beds, and any other locations where humans sit or lay down for an extended period. If you know someone who is currently going through a Bed Beg infestation, offer your support and understanding – Bed Bug infestations aren’t fun. They cause damage, are not cheap, and above all else, cause large amounts of stress and anxiety.

What do hotels, motels, and cruise ships have in common? They are all hot spots for active Bed Bug infestations. With so many different people sleeping on the same mattress over such a short period, one of them is bound to bring in Bed Bugs. Therefore, we always recommend before staying in a Hotel, to ask if they have an active Bed Bug program. Although hotels, motels, and cruise ships wash their sheets daily, this won’t eliminate a bed bug infestation on the mattress or box spring. Before you unpack your belongings, do a quick Bed Bug inspection. Focus on the mattress, box spring, headboard, and nightstands. If Bed Bugs are found, not only have you potentially saved yourself thousands of dollars in treatment costs, let management know and you will almost certainly receive a room upgrade. Commercial Pest Control can be tricky, success rate usually depends on speed of application to ensure an infestation doesn’t spread.

It’s good to understand most commercial establishments can’t control getting Bed Bugs, and if you find an active infestation, to let management know ASAP. This helps control the infestation more effectively, and ensures the problem is fixed immediately before spreading. Hotels, motels, and cruise ships should have active pest control programs. A program would consist of an exterminator doing random inspections once every 30 days in different units, inspecting for pest related issues and focusing on Bed Bug activity. By doing this, the establishment is being proactive in the fight against Bed Bugs, not reactive. Before booking a trip, google the hotel or Airbnb rental you plan on staying in. Read the reviews, testimonials, and any pest related data on the location.