4 SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE BED BUGS

 

Whether you live alone or with your family, it’s never great to discover you have bed bugs. Obviously, we all want to protect ourselves and our families from infestation, but it can be a strenuous process without the right resources.

 

A B Pest Control wants to keep you and your family safe, too. That’s why we want to warn you of the early signs that you might have bed bugs. These things are crucial to look out for no matter where you live.

 

We do want to remind you that the most effective way to remove infestation from your home is to contact your local pest control company near mid-Missouri. It also tends to be safer when left to the professionals. The following signs are simply ways to identify a possible bed bug presence.

BUG BITES

 

Just like a lot of other insects, bed bugs like to bite human skin. If you start noticing bug bites in the morning, especially with three or four in a row, it could be a sign of bed bugs.

 

Everyone reacts differently to different insect bites, so be weary. Some might not have itchiness, whereas others could have more severe reactions. Just know that they don’t always show the same signs.

 

MUSTY SMELLING MATTRESS

 

Although there may be other causes, if you begin to notice a musty smell that specifically surrounds your mattress, it could be bed bugs. This is their pheromones that rubs off onto your mattress. Again, this is another instance where accounts vary. Some think the smell is rather sweet.

 

Smell could be a sign of infestation, however, it’s probably the least reliable sign of the five.

 

 

DARK/BLOOD SPOTS ON SHEETS

 

If your bed has been infested for a longer period, you will notice specks on your sheets or mattress that are a black, brown, or dark red color. These spots are usually from droppings.

 

Another reason for these spots could be bits of dried blood from them biting your skin or their blood from them being crushed. If you have darker sheets, it might be harder to tell, so if you’re unsure, switch to lighter ones or call professionals for consultation.

 

SPOTTING A BUG/CASING

 

The most obvious evidence of bed bugs is unfortunately finding a bed bug or one of its casings. These bugs go through several life stages in a shorter period and shed their exoskeletons.

 

Their casings are usually clear sometimes with a yellow tint. Actual bed bugs are brown and the size of a seed. Their shape is similar to an apple seed. See the photo below for reference.

The above five signs may not display immediately. In fact, sometimes these signs take up to months to be visible. Although, specific signs can display earlier. If you’re unsure, you can always call local professionals to look. At A B Pest Control, we hope you have sweet dreams and don’t let the bed bugs bite!

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How to Keep Bed Bugs from Hitchhiking Home With You

It's that time of year when families are taking vacations and staying over in hotels, rental properties, and extended family's homes. We're traveling, whether by car or by plane, and we're coming into contact with a lot of new people and places. This is, after all the point of summer vacation, is to go and explore! But, it's these times that we're not the only ones doing the exploring... this week, we're talking the ultimate hitchhiking pests: bed bugs.

 

So, how do we keep from traveling and bringing bed bugs back home with us? It can be a very scary thought to know you could inadvertently come home with these tiny little parasites that are so hard to see, and even harder to get rid of once they've infested themselves in your home. It almost makes traveling scary! But there are things you can do to prevent bed bugs from hitchhiking back home with you. Read on to learn more. 

1. Familiarize Yourself with Signs of Bed Bugs. 

If you know what (and where) to look for, you can easily spot signs of a possible bed bug infestation before they become a problem for you. Bed bugs are oval, flat, brown and wingless insects about a ¼-inch long. They can be found in box springs, mattresses, bed frames, wall outlets, floor cracks and behind clocks and pictures. They occasionally leave behind casings and deposit fecal or blood spots, which look like dark red or brown smears, on bed sheets, pillowcases and mattresses. 

2. Inspect your hotel or rental home's bed.

When traveling or staying somewhere outside of your home, always check your bedding first thing before unpacking your bags. Pull back the sheets and scan near the corners of the mattress and around the headboard. You're looking for bugs, dark brown and red blood spots and casings. Then, lift the mattress and check underneath. If you find any of the signs or wake up to any bites, you need to report it to hotel management immediately and ask for a new room in a separate part of the building at least a floor or two away if moving locations entirely isn't an option. 

3. Guard your suitcase.

When traveling it's important to think about your suitcase and all the possible things it can collect between travels. Bed bugs included. Consider wrapping your entire suitcase in a trash bag when you arrive at a hotel to eliminate any potential infestation during your trip. And, instead of leaving your suitcase on the ground or throwing it on the extra bed, place your baggage on a desk or in the bathroom, where there are fewer areas for the bugs to hide. When you arrive home from vacation, vacuum your suitcases to make sure no bugs are entering your home.

4. Be careful when buying second-hand furniture.

While this may not be travel related, it's a very common way that people unknowingly bring bed bugs into their home without thought. In particular, used bed frames and mattresses have the greatest chance of harboring bed bugs and their eggs. If you do purchased used furniture, it’s crucial that you carefully inspect the items for signs of a bed bug infestation and treat them with insecticide sprays that kill bed bugs and their eggs on contact. This will ensure that even if you do bring second hand furniture into your home, you'll be less likely to encounter an issue with bed bugs. 

5. Talk to your kids about sharing clothing and other articles at school.

Another non-travel consideration is that school is getting ready to start back up, and kids tend to share more than just summer time stories once they get back into close proximity of one another. Lice and bed bugs are all too commonly passed throughout schools. So, it's important to talk to your children about sharing items, and make sure to check their backpacks and bedrooms often for any signs of bed bugs. 

Call A B Pest Control & Insulation for Your Pest Control Needs!

Now that you know of some super simple ways to avoid bringing home hitchhiking bed bugs while you're traveling, you can be on the look out and prevent them from making their way into your home. Rest easier knowing the signs to watch for, and know that you've got a pest control company who can take care of any problems that might arise in the event of a bed bug crisis. If you notice any signs that point to a bed bug infestation, give us a call. We can come out and take care of the problem for you! Give A B Pest Control and Insulation a call today for your pest control needs and more!

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PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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Is It Really a Bargain?

If you are a fan of garage or yard sales, thrift stores, or even upscale antique shops, you should know that there’s a possibility that you could end up bringing home an unexpected surprise along with your bargains. Yes, we mean bed bugs. Bites from bed bugs are certainly a pain to the victim – they result in swelling, welts, and itchiness. If you over scratch, you might end up with a secondary infection. A B Pest Control and Insulation knows that keeping these little pests far away from your home should be a priority. Follow these preventative tips from your pest control company in the Lake of the Ozarks when you are out secondhand shopping.

It’s a good idea to learn what types of furniture and other household items bed bugs love to live in. Bed bugs tend to prefer fabric surfaces, especially ones where humans have slept. Secondhand mattresses and box springs are two things you should be wary of. It’s safest to avoid buying these furniture pieces, if they are home to bed bugs, they are very difficult to treat. Only full penetration of deep heat, prolonged cold, or expert application of pesticide will eliminate bed bugs.

You should also watch out for pre-owned pillows, comforters, sheets and other bedding. However, they are treatable. If you can’t pass up on purchasing bedding items at a garage sale, enclose them tightly in sealed plastic bags until you can take them to the laundry. Make sure you launder everything in hot water and dry on the highest setting available.

Beware of upholstered sofas and armchairs, even if they look clean and fresh. They might have been vacuumed or shampooed before being put up for sale, but shampooing and vacuuming them will not get rid of any bed bugs that may be hiding inside. The same goes for any treatment you might try once you get the piece home. Spraying with pesticide and steam cleaning may seem like a good idea, but neither penetrates deeply enough to completely get rid of bed bugs.

You should carefully examine things like non-upholstered furniture, headboards, shelving, picture frames, etc. You should check these products from top and bottom, inside and out. You should check for adult bugs, young nymphs, eggs, castoff skins, or minuscule black droppings. All of these are signs of infestation.

Be suspicious of furnishings and other household items which may have been in storage for an extended period of time, it’s possible they might still be home to bed bugs or other pesky critters. Bed bugs can’t easily be starved out. Although they do feed on human blood, bed bugs are capable of surviving without that for as long as one year.

When you shop at garage sales or thrift stores it’s important to check any items thoroughly. The last thing you want to do is accidentally bring home bed bugs that can infest your home. A B Pest Control and Insulation knows first hand how resilient bed bugs are. If you think you might have a bed bug infestation, contact your pest control company in Lake of the Ozarks today.

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The Truth About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can make any sound sleeper restless. They can take a good night’s sleep and ruin it. We may think we know plenty about these night pests, but there are many rumors floating around about them as well. A B Pest Control and Insulation is here to separate what’s true about bed bugs and what’s a myth.

Myth: You can’t see bed bugs.

Reality: Actually you can spot adult bed bugs, nymphs and eggs all with your naked eye. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed while a nymph is the size of a sesame seed.

Myth: Bed bugs live in dirty places.

Reality: Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime; they are attracted to warmth, blood and carbon dioxide. Any place is vulnerable to bed bugs. However, clutter allows for more hiding spaces.

Myth: Bed bugs only live in mattresses.

Reality: Although they are called “bed bugs,” they do not solely live in beds. They spread from the mattress to other rooms, and can make any environment their home. If you have bed bugs, throwing out the mattress will not solve your issues. In fact, it may make your problem worse.

Myth: Bed bugs only come out at night.

Reality: Although they are nocturnal, they will come out in the day if they are hungry. Keeping the lights on at night will not deter them from coming out and biting you.

Myth: Bed bugs transmit diseases to humans.

Reality: There has been no evidence or cases that indicate bed bugs transmit diseases to humans.

Myth: Bed bugs can fly.

Reality: Bed bugs do not have wings, therefore they cannot fly. They will crawl from room to room. 

Myth: Bed bugs jump from the bed to the floor.

Reality: Bed bugs will not jump. The way they get from the bed to the floor is by crawling. 

Get Rid of Bed Bugs with A B Pest Control & Insulation

Bed bugs can be found anywhere in the U.S and bed bugs are great hitch hikers and just visiting a bed bug infested area may cause you to bring them back home with you. Get rid of bed bugs and other summer pests by scheduling an appointment with your Lake of the Ozarks' pest control company. A B Pest Control & Insulation has an effective bed bug treatment that is also cost-friendly! Call us today at 573-964-1100.

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Eliminate Bed Bugs

"Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite" may make a nice nursery rhyme, but getting bitten by a bed bug is not a pleasant experience.  Take the bite out of bed bugs while they sleep so they don’t take a bite out of you while you are sleeping by calling A B Pest Control & Insulation.

Unfortunately, bed bugs can be anywhere, the A B Pest Control & Insulation has several cost ­effective treatments to safely rid you of these pests. Below we answer some common questions regarding bed bugs and how they infest.

About Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. Their namesake comes from their behavior of becoming active at night and burying deep inside mattresses and furniture crevices but, can be found in the baseboards or any other harborage including behind pictures on a wall.  Adult bed bugs have flat reddish ­brown colored oval bodies. Adult bed bugs are approx. the size of an apple seed and move quickly therefore they are sometimes easy to detect.   As they feed, their bodies swell and become red. Females lay hundreds of eggs over a lifetime.

Bed bugs generally bite at nighttime while people sleep and can't be felt. Bed bugs feed by piercing the skin and withdrawing blood from three to ten minutes, until becoming fully engorged. At first the bites are painless, but later the bites can turn into large itchy skin welts. The welts occur on the skin as an allergic reaction to the bite itself.  People sometime mistake the welts and itching to other insect bites, such as mosquitoes or fleas. This is why it is important to have a licensed pest control applicator inspect the area of concern to determine if there is an infestation of bed bugs or a different pest.

Bed Bug Habitats

Anyone can have bed bugs as they are a traveling pest. They are not a discriminating pest as they don’t care about poor or rich, clean or dirty.  However, control is achieved easier with a clean area.

Here are some things to look for in your room that may indicate bed bugs: Living or dead bed bugs Small bloodstreams from crushed insects Dark spots or droppings Bed bug remains on linens, the mattress and its seams, the bed springs, or the headboard A B Pest Control & Insulation has several cost effective solutions for eliminating bed bugs to give you peace of mind.

We are the A B Pest Control & Insulation and surrounding areas and offer a cost effective bed bug treatment that won't break the bank! For more information on bed bugs contact us at (573) 964-1100

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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