Bed Bugs

What is a Bed Bug?

Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) are parasites, meaning ”a plant or animal that lives on or in another, usually larger, host organism in a way that harms or is of no advantage to the host”. After almost 50 years of little or no reported activity, bed bugs are making a resurgence all over New York and the entire United States. They can grow to around ¼ inch long and are often wrongly though to be small cockroaches or ticks as they are flat oval shaped and brown in color. They may only be ¼ inch long but once they have fed on human blood they swell to about 3 times their regular size and they take on a reddish tinge from all the blood they have consumed. Adult female Bed Bugs can lay over 200 tiny, white, pear shaped eggs over the course of her life, usually laying between one and five eggs a day. Juvenile bed bugs require over five blood feeds to reach adult status and shed their exoskeleton between feedings to allow for growth. Should you find these exoskeletons it is a very clear indication that you have a growing infestation of bed bugs as once Bed Bugs reach maturity they begin laying eggs. Other signs of a bed bug infestation are red or brown blood and dropping spots on mattresses and linens.

Why do I have them?

Regular travelers abroad and even travelers in the US can, without knowing it, bring back these unwanted pests on their clothes and in suitcases and bags. Beds are no longer the only place you can find Bed Bugs as they have been found in such places as cab, airplane and movie theater seats, couches and other seats in public areas, health care facilities and public transportation. Bed Bugs are also being found in five star hotels and establishments which is a clear indicator that unsanitary living conditions are not the only breeding places for these blood suckers. Anyone traveling or staying in hotels is a potential ride for these pests and the potential source of a Bed Bug infestation.

Are they dangerous?

Although Bed Bugs carry 24 known pathogens, they do not carry disease and their bite is not dangerous unless it becomes infected. Bed Bugs will feed while you are sleeping, leaving itchy red welts that are the consequence of the pests beak piercing the exposed skin, especially around the face, neck and arms. These welts often take the form of a series of red dots with a lighter red ring around the outside of them.

How do I get rid of Bed Bugs?

It takes a trained and practiced eye to hunt these pests down and Assured Environments have highly trained service professionals ready to bring your Bed Bug infestation problems to a speedy conclusion. If bed bugs are found in one room, it is not a simple case of checking that room but any adjacent rooms and those above and below as Bed Bugs can use cracks and crevices in walls, floors and ceilings to move about.

Can I do it myself?

Bed Bugs have a large number of hiding places to choose from and for that reason are hard for those who like Do-It-Yourself treatments to find, let alone eradicate. Assured Environments have a great deal of experience in dealing with infestations of this nature and have a staff of Bed Bug experts ready to assist you.

How soon can you get here?

Assured Environments understand that your Bed Bug problems are a priority for you and that is why we commit to being there when you need us. We can usually begin to tackle the problem the same or very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

All pest control products used by Assured Environments have been thoroughly checked and passed for pest control use by the EPA. In addition, Assured Environments apply these products under a strict set of guidelines which means you can be sure they will cause no harm to humans or pets. Should any particular safety measures need to be taken, our trained pest control professionals will inform you immediately.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Preventing Bed Bugs is nearly impossible due to their elusive nature and ability to hitch a ride on unknowing hosts. Certain things like making sure all mattresses, linens and rooms are kept clean and checked for tell-tale signs will help reduce the likelihood of Bed Bugs but contacting Assured Environments at the first sign of a bed bug infestation is your best course of action.