Bed Bugs: Eliminating the Creepy Crawly Critters

Bed bugs are pesky little things, and no one is immune to them. These little critters can be found on every continent except Antarctica, making them one of the most invasive species in the world. What can be done about the buggers?

Fortunately, the helpful folks at Dominion Pest Control are extremely well-versed in bed bug elimination and prevention. Today, we want to pass some of our knowledge on to you! We’ll walk through the identification of bed bugs, treatment, and further prevention.

What is a Bed Bug?

Tiny, brown, and flat, bed bugs have been in the United States since before World War II, but nearly disappeared during the 40’s and 50’s. Unfortunately, inefficient pest control methods paired with a decrease in societal vigilance has allowed for a catastrophic resurgence in the little pests.

Bed bugs can multiply rapidly when left to their own devices. Female bed bugs deposit one or two eggs per day, leaving hundreds throughout her lifetime. These eggs take about a week to hatch at room temperature, producing tiny nymphs about the size of a pinhead.

Where Are They?

Bed bugs get their name because they are most commonly found at the corners of mattresses so they can feed while we sleep. However, bed bugs can also be found along the seams of chairs and couches, along baseboards, and in any other hard-to-reach carpeted areas.

Bed bugs are extremely resilient pests, lasting months at a time without feeding. Very rarely is an attempt to “starve out” an infestation successful, as the bugs will simple vacate the building and infest nearby spaces in the meantime.

The biggest trouble with bed bugs is the fact that humans very rarely know when they’re being bitten. The bites themselves are painless, since the bed bugs’ beaks are so small. Bed bugs do not stick around once they’re done eating like lice or ticks, however. When they’re engorged, which usually takes about 3-10 minutes, they run off to a secluded place to digest.

How Do I Get Rid of Them?

Bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate without professional help, and most over-the-counter products exacerbate the situation due to high-repellency insecticides that chase the bugs temporarily into wall voids until the product wears down and the bugs come back, desperate for a feeding.

Trust Dominion Pest Control to safely and effectively eliminate any bed bug infestation. If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation or have found bed bugs in your home, do not hesitate to give us a call at 717-393-7879. We’ll dispatch a knowledgeable team member to your home as quickly as possible to rid your home of the little pests!