Pest Control Austin: Dealing with Bed Bugs
When it comes to pest control Austin folks have been bombarded with bed bugs. There are many common questions that come up about the bed bug infestation being experience here in Austin. Here are the top 5 commonly asked questions I run into all the time.
1. What are bed bugs and what do they do?
Bed Bugs are nocturnal insects. They feed exclusively on blood. Adult females can lay anywhere from 1-5 eggs per day, these eggs will hatch in about a week. Newly hatched nymphs (baby bed bugs) will reach maturity in about one to two months, depending on the feeding conditions and the environment. Bed Bugs keep well hidden other than coming out to feed.
2. How do I find bed bugs?
To find bed bugs you must do a thorough investigation of your living space. The easiest way to accomplish this would be to call a pest control Austin company. If you are more of a do it yourselfer then first, get a good flashlight. Then start looking in all the cracks and crevices in the bedroom (or any room you suspect you have a problem). Slowly peel back the linins on the bed and inspect for pin point brown stains, these are excrement stains. These stains or “blood spots” look like dots made by a fine felt-tipped marker. You will find them near where they fed and near their hideouts. Continue the search by rolling back the round seam. Do this along the entire mattress and you should expose more “blood stains” or even bed bugs. Either is a good sign that you have an infestation.
3. How long can bed bugs survive without feeding?
Bed bugs can go long periods of time without feeding. They have been known to live for up to a year without a meal. This means that they may be dormant and present in vacant structures for long periods of time without a food source.
4. Will over the counter products kill my infestation?
To achieve a successful bed bug treatment you must conduct an in-depth treatment of all cracks and crevices throughout the room. Do the same for all the furniture as well as the mattress and box springs. Generally over the counter products will not achieve the desired results and could possibly just push the bed bug population deeper into their hiding places inside walls and under carpets. This could make the treatment process more difficult for the professionals brought in later should the over the counter products fail. Most of the time you will be better off contacting a professional pest control company to apply commercial grade products throughout the infested home. Also remember for pest control Austin residents can call a number of different providers and get a free inspection.
5. How can I prevent bed bugs?
Prevention will revolve around knowledge. Be aware of the common ways bed bugs are introduced into your home. Avoid second hand bedding or furniture. It is a good idea to encase your mattress and box springs in a cover. Mattress and box spring encasements are an economical and useful way to monitor bed bug activity. If you are looking to purchase mattress or box spring encasements, be sure that the products you are considering are specifically designed for bed bugs. Also be aware of the symptoms produced by bed bugs. Awareness of symptoms when travelingwill help to reduce the chances of bringing bed bugs back home with you.
A recap of the five things you should know about bed bugs
- Bed bugs are nocturnal and feed on blood.
- If they are around you will find them in the cracks and crevices of furniture and mattresses and box springs.
- They can survive for up to a year without feeding.
- This is a job for a professional, call a pest control company to address your infestation. An inspection should be free.
- Prevent infestations by learning about bed bugs so you will know what to look for and what situations to avoid.