Bed Bugs Nightmare: How to Fight Back Against These Unwelcome Guests

Our parents used to say “Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” to wish us a good night’s sleep. However, for some unlucky folks, this phrase is more than just a cute saying; it’s a harsh reality! Bed bugs are real, and they are not a myth like Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. They are small, parasitic insects that feed on human blood and can infest homes, hotels, and other places where people sleep. They can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, psychological distress, and even legal disputes. 

But the bad news is that some bed bugs are tough to get rid of, as they have many tricks to avoid detection and elimination. They hide in tiny places, starve for long periods, and resist some pesticides. So, these pests are a real nightmare to deal with.

If you are tired of sharing your bed with bloodthirsty bugs, you have come to the right place. We are here to help you end the bedbug nightmare once and for all. This article will give you the lowdown on bed bugs, the tiny vampires that can suck your blood and ruin your sleep. After reading this article, you will find out how to spot them, stop them, and get rid of them for good.

Bedbugs are more than just a nuisance. To enjoy a peaceful and stress-free sleep, call us now and we will help you wipe them out to enjoy a peaceful and stress-free sleep: 951-450-4315

How to Know If You Have Bed bugs

Some signs of bed bug infestation are blood stains, dark spots, musty odor, live bedbugs, and shed skins, eggs, or eggshells of bedbugs on your bed or nearby areas. Also, if you have small, red, itchy bumps on your skin, especially on your face, neck, arms, or legs, you may have bed bug bites. These bites can sometimes form clusters or zigzag patterns on your skin. Although they may look like mosquito or flea bites, they are different. Bed bugs’ bites usually last longer and heal slower. (Click here to watch a Bed bug’s bite – Up Close!)

Although you can spot them yourself in some cases, we suggest getting help from professionals who can inspect and treat the infestation. Because getting assistance from a professional pest control service can result in long-term benefits in terms of time, cost, and convenience. On the other hand, self-administered methods may have limited efficacy and may exacerbate the situation by dispersing the bed bugs to other locations. 

How to Treat Bed Bug Bites and Prevent Infections

Bed bug bites are a pain. They itch like crazy and can get infected if you don’t take care of them. Here’s what you should do if you get bitten by bed bugs: 

• Wash the bites with soap and water right away
• Put a cold compress or ice pack on the bites to calm the swelling and redness 
• Don’t scratch the bites 
• Watch out for any signs of infection like pus, redness, warmth, or fever
• You may need some antibiotics or other medicine 

And finally, 

• call a professional pest control service, and follow their instructions

How to Get Ready for Bed Bug Treatment 

No matter if you hire a professional or do it yourself, these steps will make your bed bug treatment more effective. Also, don’t forget that bed bug treatment is not just about the bedroom and you need to exterminate them throughout the whole house. Moreover, remember to sweep or vacuum the floor all over the house before beginning the bed bug treatment.

In the Kitchen:

Clear and seal all food and kitchen items in cabinets, drawers, or containers. Also, remove everything from the appliances and countertops. 

In the Living Room:

Pull all furniture and items 60 cm from the walls and Keep the couch and furniture tops clear. 

In the Bedroom

Clear 60 cm of space from the walls by moving all furniture and items. Also, don’t place anything in drawers or containers. Leave the beds and furniture tops empty. After that remove all bedding and bag it in plastic. Then label it “To Wash” and wash it in hot water and dry it on high heat. And don’t put clean bedding back until after treatment. 

In the Bathroom

Don’t place toilet and bathroom items on the furniture. First, clear 60 cm of space from the walls by moving all furniture and items. Then, store all towels and bath mats in plastic bags and write “To wash” on them. Wash and dry them on high heat. Leave clean towels and carpets out until after treatment.

In Closets and Storage Rooms

First, empty all closet floors in all rooms. Then, move all items 60 cm away from the walls in rooms with bikes, toys, tools, or equipment. 

Laundry and Clothing

Put all laundry and clothing in plastic bags to wash them later. Next, use hot water to wash them and high heat to dry them. Store clean items in new plastic bags and wait until after treatment to open them. Moreover, For rugs and carpets that can’t be washed, put them in plastic bags, dry them on high heat, and keep them in new plastic bags until after treatment.

Your Pets and Plants

Bring all pets except big fish before treatment. Don’t bring them back for 12 hours after treatment. Feed the fish and turn off the pump and cover the tank with plastic before leaving. Also, move plants from windows and walls.

You and your Family

Leave your home before treatment. Stay away for 4 hours or 12 hours if you or someone has breathing issues, is pregnant, or is a baby under 18 months.

After Treatment

After you get home, don’t wash the floors near the walls or windows for two weeks and clean the floors for one week. Leave the mattress cover on and never remove it. After that, open the bags with clean bedding and laundry and put everything back in place. Don’t open the bags with dirty laundry or items to be washed and take them out and wash them as soon as possible.

Approaches to Exterminate Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can be eliminated by various methods, which vary according to the severity, location, and preference of the infestation. Some of the common methods are:

Insecticidal Dust for Exterminating Bed Bugs: 

These are powders with chemicals that dry out bed bugs or mess up their nerves. They go into bed bug hiding spots and stay active for a long time. Moreover, they are safer for humans and pets, but they can be dirty and may hurt your lungs if breathed in.

Liquid Insecticide Sprays and Aerosol Sprays

These target the cracks and crevices where bed bugs lurk, such as mattresses, box springs, furniture, baseboards, and walls. Also, they zap bed bugs on contact and have a lasting effect that can persist for weeks or months. On the other hand, aerosol sprays are like liquid sprays, but in a can that can reach tricky areas. They also kill bed bugs and their eggs.

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements 

Encasements are covers that seal the mattress and box spring. Also, they trap and kill any bed bugs inside and prevent new ones from hiding. Moreover, they can lower the number of bed bugs and protect the mattress and box spring from more bugs. Although they can go with other methods, they may not kill all bed bugs.

Steam and Heat Treatment

In this approach, hot temperature is used to fry bed bugs and their eggs. Steam uses a device that shoots steam into bed bug-hiding places. Heat uses a device that warms up the air in a room or a house to kill bed bugs. Both of them usually work well and have no lasting effect. Also, they are safe for humans and pets, but they can be pricey and may ruin some stuff.

Diatomaceous Earth

This is a natural powder from tiny fossils that kills bed bugs by cutting their skin and making them dry out. It goes into bed bug hiding places and lasts long. This approach is almost safe for humans and pets, but it can be dusty and may bother your eyes and lungs if breathed in.

Steam and Freezing

Using very hot or cold temperatures to kill bed bugs and their eggs is carried out in this method. Steam uses a device that shoots steam into bed bug hiding spots while freezing uses a device that blows cold air or liquid nitrogen. Although they work well and have no lasting effect, they may miss some areas and may wreck some stuff. Nevertheless, steam and freezing are also safe for humans and pets.

Act now and take back your home from bed bugs for good, and enjoy your stress-free sleep. Give us a call at 951-450-4315

Keep Bedbugs Away and Avoid Re-Infestation

Many places in your home can be perfect for bed bugs, which are a major problem in North America Since they are sneaky and can hide in tiny spaces. They can also enter your home even if you take precautions. But you can save money on pest control by learning how to identify them, how they travel, and where they stay. They often move in shared spaces like hotels or buses. However, the following tips can help you prevent bedbugs and avoid their re-infestation.

Cover Power Outlets

 Power outlets are a sneaky place for bed bugs to hide and escape extermination. Moreover, bed bugs can also use them to travel through walls and infest other areas. So to stop them, cover your power outlets with tape or plastic.

Store Your Clothing in Vacuum-Sealed Bags

Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your clothes from hotels or other places. Moreover, They can infest your stored clothes and fabrics. To prevent this, use vacuum-sealed bags to store your clothes when traveling or not using them. This will make your clothes air-tight and bed bug-proof. 

Identify Early Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bug bites are small, red, itchy marks that often line up in rows. You should know how to recognize them and other signs of bed bugs, such as dark spots, eggs, or shed skins. Therefore, you can detect a problem sooner and get help if needed.

Check Your Pets for Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can also live and breed in your pet’s bed. So, check the bed and the area around it for any signs of bed bugs. Also, wash the pet bed regularly on high heat and dry it well.

Reduce the Mess in Your Space to Reduce the Probability of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs love to hide and lay eggs in cluttered areas, especially near walls. To stop them, clear out any unnecessary stuff and organize your belongings. Get rid of the stuff you don’t need by donating, recycling, or tossing it out, and Keep the stuff you do need organized and store it properly. 

Get Professional Bed Bug Treatment

Getting rid of bed bugs on your own is a tough task. Therefore, you need a professional bed bug treatment that can kill them effectively and for good. A professional bed bug treatment will use safe and proven methods to eliminate these pests from your home or business. Don’t risk your health or property by trying to do it alone. Contact a local pest control company to get rid of bed bugs once and for all.

Bed Bugs FAQs

How did I get bed bugs? 

You could pick up bed bugs from items or places with bugs, like used furniture, clothes, bags, bedding, hotels, motels, or apartments.

What health risks might bed bugs pose?

Bed bugs can cause skin irritation, infection, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. They do not transmit disease; However, they can be hard to get rid of.

How can I tell if a bed bug has bitten me?

Bed bug bites can be hard to detect because they are painless and may take days to show up. They look like mosquito or flea bites, but can also cause allergic reactions or psychological problems. Some people may not have any visible signs of being bitten.

How do bed bugs travel and spread? 

Bed bugs can’t fly or jump, but they can move fast and hitch rides on clothes, bags, furniture, and other things. They can also spread by touching people or their stuff since they can easily move from one room to another or from one place to another.

Sleep Tight, Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Don’t let the bed bugs bite you and your wallet! Learn how to choose the best pest control service for your home to say goodbye to bed bugs and hello to a cozy and clean home! Choose a pest control service that uses safe, odorless, and effective chemicals that are approved by a regulatory body and harmless to your family and pets. To choose the best pest control service for bed bug treatment, you should consider their credibility, experience, reputation, references, contract, and chemicals. Moreover, you should look for a licensed and legitimate company that offers safe, effective, and affordable treatments, such as herbal, organic, or chemical approaches. 

So, if you do have bed bugs, don’t panic, just contact Activated Pest Solutions to schedule and get a free quote for one-time or regular preventive pest control services for both residential and commercial settings in Menifee, CA.

Call to schedule! 951-450-4315