How to Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation in Your Tucson Home or Business
A bed bug infestation can happen at any time. Some people may be ashamed to admit they have an infestation because they are afraid people will think that means they are dirty, but nearly 20% of Americans have to deal with this pest, whether in their own home, a business, or in a hotel. The cleanliness of your home has no bearing on whether or not you will have to deal with bed bugs.
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers that travel from person to person. They can hop a ride when you are mingling with friends or jump into your luggage at the hotel. Always place bags on the luggage racks provided by the hotel. Do not put purses and luggage on beds, couches, floors, or any other soft surfaces.
Signs that You May Be in Need of a Tucson Bed Bug Exterminator for Your Home
You’ll likely find signs where animals and people sleep, like beds and upholstered furniture. They also like to hide in crevices and tight spaces such as:
- The piping, seams, and tags of a mattress and box spring
- Cracks on the bed frame or headboard
- In the seams of chairs, couches, between cushions, or in the folds of curtains
- In drawer joints
- In electrical receptacles and appliances
- Under loose wallpaper and wall hangings
- Where the wall and the ceiling meet
The obvious sign of a bed bug infestation you might encounter is rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses. These stains are an indication of bed bugs that were crushed. You may even find dark, tiny spots that bleed on the fabric. These dark spots indicate bed bug excrement.
If you see stains and marks, look for live bed bugs, eggs, eggshells, or pale yellow skins for further confirmation. If you think you might see signs and suspect you may have a bed bug infestation, you’ll want to contact Bill’s Home Service immediately. They can inspect the areas and start bed bug treatment measures before the infestation spreads.
What are the Signs of a Bed Bug Bite?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, bed bug bites are itchy welts in a zigzag pattern. Bed bug bites may look like bites from other insects, eczema or fungal infection rashes, or hives. So if you see welts on your skin and suspect they may be bed bug bites, you’ll want to confirm that by looking for signs of a bed bug infestation and talking to your doctor.
Please note that Bill’s bed bug exterminators are not qualified to provide medical information or advice. Please ask your medical provider if you have any questions related to any itchy welts or rashes you may be experiencing.
What Does Treatment Look Like?
One of our certified bed bug exterminator technicians will review the premises for signs of an infestation. If they determine that bed bugs are present they will provide you with a prep sheet. This will have all of the information you need to get the home ready.
Once the home is prepped, they will complete the treatment in two rounds. The infested areas will be treated to rid it of any living bed bugs. A second treatment will occur two weeks later to address the remaining bugs that hatched from their eggs after the initial treatment.
How to Prepare for an Effective Bed Bug Treatment
Bill’s professional pest control experts can rid your Tucson home of a bed bug infestation. Still, there are some things you can do to help prepare your home for bed bug treatment and prevent the spread of the infestation. For example, cluttered spaces are great hiding places for bed bugs. So the first thing to do is reduce the clutter in the space that has a bed bug infestation.
Eliminate trash, cardboard boxes, magazines, and newspapers from the space. However, don’t move the items from the infested area to one that’s not infested. Instead, place these items in a trash bag and carry these items outside. Get rid of clothing and items you no longer need in the same manner.
You’ll also want to start bed bug treatment measures to eliminate the spread of the infestation. You can eliminate bed bugs with the use of heat. So, you’ll want to heat treat items by washing them in hot water and then drying them at the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Items that can be treated include:
- Clothing
- Blankets and comforters
- Sheets
- Pillowcases
- Shoes
- Drapes
- Curtains
- Coats and jackets
Only do this with items that the high heat setting won’t damage. Put items in sealed plastic bags to transport items to the clothes washer and dryer so as not to spread the infestation. Keep heat treated items in a sealed bag until the treatment is complete to prevent reinfestation.
Bed bug infestations in Tucson homes or commercial businesses in Tucson and surrounding areas can happen because of their ability to hitchhike from one place to another in clothing or suitcases. If you discover a bed bug infestation, you must immediately work with a pest management expert for treatment before it spreads and becomes more difficult. Bill’s Home Service Company is an expert in bed bug extermination, so schedule a pest evaluation today!
