Top 10 Bed Bug Questions

It's no secret that bed bugs are not a joke. If you're not currently dealing with bloodsucking bed bugs in your home, chances are you've at least heard about them from an unlucky friend or family member who has had the unfortunate experience of being bitten on their body while sleeping. While most people have heard of bed bugs before and know they exist, there are still some common myths floating around out there — especially when it comes to how long it takes for a treated house to be completely clear of them. So, let's explore the top ten bed bug questions!

Are bed bugs really that bad?
Bed bugs are the most common pest in the world. They can be found in any part of your home, but most commonly… your bed! Bed bugs feed on human blood and can cause skin irritation and rashes. They can also transmit disease if they bite you or another person who is already infected with a bloodborne illness such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B. Bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of--if you're not sure whether you have them or not, it's best to call the friendly experts at Evans Pest Control!

How can I tell if I have bed bugs?
If you suspect that you may have bed bugs, the first thing to do is check your sheets for dark spots. Bed bug feces and blood tend to leave a dark stain on sheets, so if you see any black or brown stains on your mattress or pillowcase it could be an indication of an infestation.
If there are no signs of fecal matter or blood stains on your sheets (or if they're too small), then look for live bugs or eggs in and around the seams of your mattress, and in the corners of your bed frame! Bed bug nymphs are about 3mm long when they hatch from their eggs; adult bed bugs can get up to 5mm long--the size of an apple seed--so if either one is crawling around in the middle of the night while you're asleep and doesn't run away when exposed to light (which is why it's important), then chances are good that these are bed bugs!
If all else fails and none of these telltale signs appear after thorough inspection, check whether there are any unexplained marks on your body; this might indicate that someone has been scratching themselves due to bites from these small insects which cause itching sensations similar in nature but less severe than those caused by fleas!


How do I get rid of bed bugs?
• Vacuum the bugs and their eggs from your mattress, box spring and other furniture.
• Wash your sheets and clothing in hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 30 minutes to kill any bedbugs or their eggs that may be on them.
• After vacuuming, use a steamer on high heat for five minutes to kill any remaining live bedbugs on your furniture (you'll probably need a friend's help with this one). If you don't have a steamer available, try rubbing alcohol--it will also kill any adult bugs but won't work as well as steamers or irons do because of its lower temperature range (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure not to get any liquid into electrical sockets while you're doing this!

What are the signs and symptoms of a bed bug infestation in my home?
There are several signs that indicate you may have a bed bug infestation in your home. Bed bugs are small and flat, about the size of an apple seed. They're reddish-brown in color and can be found in crevices and seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards--but they can also spread to nearby items such as nightstands or dressers.
To check for bed bugs (and their droppings), look for:
• live bugs on or near sleeping areas
• fecal stains on sheets or mattresses; dark spots where blood has been sucked out by feeding bugs.

Do you think we have bed bugs here? (How to check for bed bugs)
If you think your home might be infested with bed bugs, there are some simple steps you can take to help rule out the possibility.
• Check for bugs and eggs: The easiest place to start is in the bedroom, where most people sleep on a regular basis. Do this by using a bright flashlight at night and shining it across the mattress (and box spring). If there are any signs of bed bugs or their eggs, they will appear as dark spots against light-colored surfaces like white sheets or cream-colored walls.
• Check for poop: Bed bug feces can also be found around baseboards near beds or furniture where they've been feeding on blood (or just hanging out). These little black dots look like coffee grounds mixed with dirt--so don't worry if they're not perfectly round! They may also appear as small stains when dried out on fabric such as comforters and blankets; however once again remember that these stains aren't always circular in shape either--they tend towards irregular shapes because these pests crawl around quite a bit before laying their eggs so sometimes their excretions will get smeared into other areas too...but don't worry too much about that either because what matters most is simply determining whether these tiny specs actually exist within certain rooms inside your house so if you find something suspicious then simply follow up by checking those areas more thoroughly than others until everything checks out okay again."

Can you get rid of bed bugs by yourself?
Bed bugs are unhealthy pests, and they can be difficult to get rid of. If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation in your home, it's best to call the experts at Evans Pest Control for help. However, if you want to try on your own before calling in the experts, we provide professional quality DIY products at our store, just off I95 at the Allegheny exit, that may help with eradication efforts:
• Bed bug sprays will kill the insects on contact but won't necessarily eliminate them completely from the premises; they must be reapplied every couple of weeks until all traces of infestation have been eliminated.
• Bed bug traps are effective at capturing adult females before they lay eggs; these traps should be placed under furniture legs where they'll intercept passing insects.

How do you get rid of bed bugs once they're in your house?
The first step in getting rid of bed bugs is to vacuum them up. This will help remove any eggs or live bugs hiding in your carpet, upholstery, and sheets. If you have pets, be sure to take their beds apart as well and wash them in hot water--bedbugs cannot survive heat above 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius).
If you want to steam clean your carpets and upholstery yourself, make sure that they're completely dry before using them again or putting back together after cleaning them! You may need to repeat this process several times before all traces of bedbugs are gone from these surfaces.
Steamers can also be used on clothing (but don't forget about washing) as well as pillowcases and other fabrics that were exposed directly during the infestation period but haven't been washed yet; however, we recommend using heat instead if possible since steaming isn't always effective against eggs which tend not be killed by just one treatment whereas heat kills both adults and nymphs alike.

How do I know if my neighbor has bed bugs? Should I tell them about it?
(What to do if you suspect your neighbor has a problem with these bloodsucking creatures)
Don't assume that your neighbor has bed bugs, because they may not be aware of it yet. Bed bug infestations tend to be easy to detect, but some people are more sensitive than others and can develop allergies after being bitten by a single insect.
If you suspect that your neighbor has a problem with these bloodsucking creatures, there are several ways you can approach them about it:
If the person is willing to listen and open up about their situation (or if they're already aware of what's happening), try asking them directly if they've noticed any signs of bed bugs--such as bites or small stains on their sheets--and offer assistance in getting rid of them! This can be especially helpful if someone is elderly or living alone; sometimes just knowing that someone cares enough about their well-being will make all the difference in getting through this difficult time together.
What should I do if someone tries to sell me something that claims it will kill the bedbugs on my mattress and box spring completely, but then they say I must leave it there for three months, or longer, before using another product that kills the eggs?
The answer is that it can take time for some insecticide to work its way through an entire colony and kill all its members. Bedbugs are no exception. They are very hardy insects, but Evans Pest Control provides several, safe and effective treatment options, some are single treatment eradications. Call Evans Pest Control, and our friendly experts can recommend the bed bug treatment solution right for you.
Bedbugs have been around since ancient times, but only recently have they become such an epidemic problem. This is because they evolved alongside humans over thousands of years and have become immune to many of our traditional methods of killing them off! Bedbugs have also developed resistance against many common pesticides used today by exterminators--this means that if you hire someone who uses just those chemicals alone without knowing more about what makes these creatures tick then yes indeed: your problems can continue indefinitely!

So, hopefully this has helped you to understand a little more about what it means to have bed bugs and how they can affect your life. We know that it can seem overwhelming at first, but we're here to help! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call us at (267) 582-2687.