Sleep Soundly with Expert Bed Bug Control in Gilbert, AZ & Surrounding Areas

Bed bug infestations can be difficult to detect, since the pests are small and commonly hide during the day. Telltale signs of a bed bug infestation unfortunately may alert you only when they’ve already done extensive damage.

Bed bugs are typically small, oval-shaped insects that are reddish-brown in color. While they can hide in any crevice or fabric item in your bedroom, they will usually congregate around the edges of mattresses and box springs when they’ve found an ideal host.

Itching and irritation are a common symptom of bed bugs; if you wake up with unexplained bites or red patches on your skin, it could indicate an infestation in your home. You should also check for dried blood spots or rusty brown stains on your mattress or sheets, as well as dark spots left by bed bug excrement.

If you notice a musty odor coming from your bedroom, this could be another indicator of a bed bug problem in your home. Bed bugs have a variety of hosts, but humans are by far their number one source of food, so monitoring closely for any evidence of their presence is the best way to (hopefully) nip them in the bud.

The use of DDT in the 1940s revolutionized pest control, as it was an effective way to kill insects and was applied widely. Unfortunately, this led to the development of bed bug resistance to DDT. Resistance to DDT occurs through a process known as “genetic refraction.” This happens when repeated exposure to an insecticide encourages pests that are genetically resistant to survive and reproduce.

Over time, more and more generations of bugs that had acquired genetic resistance emerged. As each generation survived and reproduced, the proportion of resistant individuals grew until virtually all bed bugs in a population were resistant.

This rapid build-up of resistance has been observed with other insecticides too, such as malathion and carbaryl. This emphasizes the importance of using integrated bed bug pest control strategies that combine multiple methods to reduce and manage pests instead of relying solely on chemical insecticides.

Bed bugs have to come from somewhere, right? Inspecting items that bed bugs may travel on before bringing them into your home is a wise preventative measure, especially if those items have been previously used, stored for long periods, or have spent time in an attic or garage.

When traveling, inspect any hotel rooms you stay in thoroughly before emptying your suitcase or sleeping in the bed. Unfortunately, bed bugs’ small size makes them difficult to detect, and they can easily spread if not recognized immediately.

Once you’ve seen a bed bug in your home, it’s time to call the professional bed bug exterminators.

The best bed bug exterminators use a variety of techniques to eliminate bed bugs from your home, and inevitably they will need to use multiple methods in tandem. They will start with a bed bug inspection, searching all furniture, flooring, and walls for evidence of the pests. Next, they will use specialized vacuums to suck up any visible eggs or insects that may be present.

Heat treatments can be a reliable method of bed bug control. Temperatures between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (49-60 degrees Celsius) are considered hot enough to kill all stages of bed bugs and their eggs. This method works best when heat is applied in a contained environment, such as an apartment or house, so that there is no escape for the pests. Heat treatments usually require professional assistance and are more expensive than other treatment options.

Cold treatments are another chemical-free way to clear bed bugs. Temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) can be used to effectively exterminate bed bug populations. Cold treatments involve freezing temperatures while maintaining humidity in the treated space, which makes it difficult for the bed bugs to survive. This method works well in isolated areas, such as a single apartment or house, and requires professional assistance to ensure that the correct temperature is maintained. Cold treatments are usually less expensive than heat treatments but may not be as effective.

Seek the help of a professional bed bug exterminator as DIY methods are generally unsuccessful. An experienced bed bug control service can tell you whether it is best to use a bed bug extermination insecticide or try a combination of hot or cold bed bug treatment services.

Dealing with bed bugs requires diligence and patience, as you may need multiple treatments to achieve long-term elimination. The best bed bug exterminators are skilled at recognizing warning signs so they can develop custom plans to prevent future infestations. Following their advice, maintaining vigilance, and avoiding carrying anymore bed bugs into the home post-treatment can help you keep the problem under control.

Contact Polite Pest to schedule a bed bug inspection and get bed bugs under control once and for all.