Bed Bug FAQ
- Has there really been a resurgence in bedbugs in the U.S. and how do you know?
There HAS been an increase in bed bug Our member pest control companies who received 1 or 2 bedbug calls a year are now reporting 1 to 2 each week. - Where have you been finding the bedbugs?
These pests are not limited to any one specific type of dwelling. Pest management companies have been reporting the infestations in multi-family housing, apartments, hotels and even hospitals. - What states have been affected?
Pest control companies have reported bed bug activity on a national scale. Bed bugs are being found from the East to the West Coast; and everywhere in between. - Why are bed bugs so hard to treat?
Bed bugs should not be equated with filth or sanitation problems — in hotels or in homes, for that matter. Bedbugs are very elusive, transient and nocturnal pests. They are often found in other areas besides the bed. And they are hardy. They can live for a year or more without eating and can withstand a wide range of temperatures from nearly freezing to almost 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Bedbugs can be controlled with vigilance and constant inspection and treatment by professional pest management companies. - What can a consumer do to protect themselves from bedbug infestations?
To prevent bed bug infestations, consumers need to be vigilant in assessing their surroundings. When returning from a trip, check your luggage and clothing. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact a pest control professional. This is not a pest that can be controlled with do-it-yourself measures. - Why are bedbugs an issue for hotels, visitors, and homeowners?
Bed bugs leave itchy, bloody welts on human skin. Adult bed bugs can live for a year without eating, making them especially hard to control. Once inside a hotel or home, bed bugs spread rapidly from room to room – through pipes, in vacuum cleaners, on clothing and luggage. In a hotel, bed bugs can even spread to neighboring rooms, since guests are may end up moving to another room. - Are bed bugs just in beds?
Bedbugs are not just in beds. They can be in chair cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices around baseboards, or even behind picture frames. In other words, they can be live pretty much anywhere. - How does one control bed bugs?
Any effective bed bug control strategy should start with a careful, thorough inspection by a pest control professional of all known and suspected spots where the bugs may be harboring. This is not a pest that can be controlled effectively with do-it-yourself measures. As they are discovered, the pest management professional will develop a treatment and control strategy with the customer depending on the extent of the infestation.