Bed Bug Exterminator Archives - J&J Exterminating

Posts Tagged ‘Bed Bug Exterminator’

8 Warning Signs of Bed Bug Infestations

Bed bugs are creepy, itchy, nasty, and the bed bug problem in your property is extremely uncomfortable. Bed bugs are masters in sneaking in and hiding in places that are beyond human reach. They can scout in your property, stay hidden, and yet feast on you every night. Since they are nocturnal critters, detecting them becomes difficult, and by the time we find them, the infestation becomes out of control.

To make things easier for the untrained eye, we have listed out 5 warning signs that indicate a bed bug problem in your property.

So, if you;

suspect bed bugs in your premises,
want to know about the early signs to stay prepared,
just curious to know about bed bugs,

Then keep scrolling!

1. Bite Pattern

One prominent hallmark of a bed bug infestation is waking up with bites with a very distinctive pattern on your skin. Bug bites create red, small, itchy bumps that are different from the bites of other insects, such as fleas or mosquitoes.

2. Musty Odor

A strong, musty odor is another symptom of a bed bug problem. Bed bugs release pheromones that give an unpleasant smell, and when the population is huge, and the infestation is severe, the smell can become quite strong. So, if any room in your property smells like a dirty locker room or a wet towel, inspect your home thoroughly for bed bugs.

3. Bloodstains

If you have bed bugs on your bed, they will feed on you while you are asleep. You may also squash a bug while unconsciously during the night. This will result in a bloody polka dots pattern on your bed linen, pajamas, or your skin. If you wake up with your sheets sprayed with blood, it may signal a bed bug problem.

4. Fecal Stains

Check for dark, rust-colored spots on your walls or mattress. Bed bugs tend to leave their fecal stains on wherever they assemble. These spots have an unpleasant odor and get smeared when touched. If you find dark spots on your bed sheets or mattress, the possibility of bed bugs is high.

5. White Spots

If you notice white small spots in your furniture joints or the dimples of your mattress, suspect an infestation and inspect the rest of your stuff immediately. You may use a flashlight to check between cushions and behind headboards. You can also peel the fabric stapled to the bottom of your chairs if deemed necessary.

Wrapping Up

As it is clear that, we may remain uninformed about a bed bug infestation in our premises. Learning about early warning signs is a sure-fire way to know if bed bugs are camping on your property. This will help you to handle the infestation before it gets serious. However, in case of a serious infestation, hire professional pest control services immediately to tackle them safely and efficiently. Contact us today for a bed bug control estimate!

Are Bed Bug Infestation Rates In The US Increasing Or Decreasing With Time, And How Are Louisiana Lawmakers Combatting The Pests?

Last year the National Pest Management Association conducted a nationwide survey of pest control professionals in order to determine the prevalence of bed bug pest issues within homes and buildings in the US. According to the results, 97 percent of pest control professionals surveyed claimed to have managed bed bug infestations during 2018, and 70 percent claimed that bed bug infestations had become more common during this time. That same year, 91 percent of pest control professionals managed bed bug infestations within single family homes; 89 percent managed the pests in apartments and condominiums, and 68 percent managed infestations in hotels and motels.

According to the results of a 2011 nationwide survey that asked American homeowners about their experiences with bed bugs, 20 percent claimed to have fallen victim to a bed bug infestation within their home, or they know someone who has encountered bed bugs within their home or within a hotel or motel. This survey also revealed that bed bugs had established a sizable population in all 50 states only 10 to 15 years after the pests reemerged in the country. More specifically, 17 percent of respondents living in the northeast claimed to have encountered bed bugs, while 19 percent of western respondents reported bed bug encounters, and 20 percent of respondents in both midwestern and southern regions claimed to have encountered the pests.

Not long after it became clear that bed bugs were going to reestablish a sizable population in the US, pest control professionals, urban entomologists, and public health officials launched a bed bug awareness campaign that aimed to educate Americans about bed bug control tactics. This campaign worked, as a subsequent series of surveys conducted throughout the country a little more than a decade ago revealed that nearly ⅓ of all Americans began to practice bed bug control tactics after hearing the warnings. The most common bed bug control tactic involved the inspection and laundering of all potentially infested articles of clothing that had been taken into hotels during vacations. New Orleans consistently appears on professionally compiled lists of the most bed bug-infested cities in the US, and unfortunately, bed bug infestations are only becoming more common in every area of the US, particularly in Louisiana where bed bug infestations are epidemic. However, Louisiana state lawmakers have been aggressive about combating bed bugs in the state and the rest of the country, as they established the Louisiana Bed Bug Task Force which works with other state and federal entities to develop area-wide bed bug control programs.

Have you managed to avoid bed bug pest issues within your home?

Researchers Believe That Bed Bugs May Trigger Respiratory Difficulties, And Living Within Infested Conditions May Contribute To The Development Of Asthma

Several studies have clearly demonstrated that certain arthropods that thrive within human settings contribute to the development of allergic conditions, particularly asthma. These medically important arthropod pests include cockroaches, dust mites, and carpet beetles, and now experts believe that bed bugs may also induce allergic conditions in people living within infested homes. This would not be surprising, as all arthropods are associated with allergens, and bed bugs usually maintain an abundant presence around beds and furniture where humans frequently make contact with their feces, shed skins, body fragments, and other forms of bed bug debris. Although more research on this topic is needed, numerous studies carried out all over the world have shown that people living in bed bug infested conditions for prolonged periods of time develop rashes and respiratory problems not unlike the allergy symptoms associated with cockroaches and dust mites.

One medical case study described how a patient’s frequent asthma attacks ceased only after a bed bug control program was initiated within his home. Pest control professionals and residents who undertake DIY bed bug control measures within homes can increase their exposure to bed bug allergens in the air by disturbing bed bug harborages. For example, using a vacuum for bed bug removal and post-infestation cleaning can cause both live and dead bed bugs, as well as their feces and shed skins, to disperse through the air where they are likely to be inhaled. When operating within infested homes, pest control professionals often wear a face mask and use vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter in order to protect themselves from exposure to airborne arthropod allergens. It is also important to note that arthropod allergens remain within homes long after infestations have been eradicated, which is why homes must be thoroughly sanitized following the completion of successful pest control programs. While sanitizing homes, residents should take measures to avoid inhaling airborne particles that may contain arthropod allergens, such as shed skins, excrement, dead eggs, and body fragments in the air.

Have you ever experienced breathing problems or skin irritation while cleaning homes where insect pests were once active?

When Can The Eradication Of All Bed Bugs Within A Home Be Declared A Success Following A Pest Control Treatment?

When people’s homes are infested with bed bugs, the relief that comes with the pest control professionals finishing their eradication and telling them that the hellish infestation is finally over can make even the surliest person smile and feel like the luckiest son of a gun in the world. But, how can you be certain the infestation is truly gone, never to darken your doorway again, that every last bed bug and bed bug egg has been destroyed? If you can find no more evidence of their presence, do you assume all is clear until it proves otherwise? That is a much more complicated and difficult question to answer than you might think.

The ability to completely eliminate bed bugs from someone’s home depends largely on the level of infestation and the building or site being treated. Thankfully, one of the few kinds of sites that have a fairly good chance of being completely eliminated of bed bugs are single-family homes. In an isolated building that has the same people residing in it at all times, rather than an apartment complex that has to deal with new tenants coming in regularly and living in spaces that allow bed bugs to easily move from one apartment to another, the ability to detect and eliminate all the bed bugs and their eggs infesting it is significantly easier. There is still no way to be completely certain a pest control treatment was 100 percent effective at removing a home’s bed bugs, with structural fumigation perhaps being the only exception. Even if all of the live bed bugs were eliminated, there may still be eggs hidden away in the tiniest of cracks that will hatch and your bed bug problems could resume in just a few weeks. The best way we have at this point to conclude that a bed bug infestation is gone and over is to see if you don’t come across any visible evidence of live bed bugs over a certain period of time using the proper detection methods. Having pest control professionals come back for service visits and check for bed bugs during the weeks following their elimination of the pests is the best way to ensure your home is bed bug-free.

Have you ever had a bed bug infestation that returned after getting it treated, and had to deal with getting rid of them yet again? What is the longest running bed bug infestation that you know of, and did it happen to you or a friend or family member?

‘Tis the Season for Bed Bugs on the Move

J&J Exterminating urges travelers to watch out for hitchhiking pests this holiday season

As Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season, Americans will be making travel plans to celebrate with relatives and friends, both near and far. With the increased amount of travel occurring during the next couple of months, J&J Exterminating reminds travelers to be on the lookout for signs of bed bugs in order to avoid spreading these hitchhiking pests—or, even worse, bringing them home.

According to a 2015 survey from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and University of Kentucky, bed bugs aren’t going anywhere. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of pest control professionals reported that bed bug infestations continue to rise, and three-fourths (74 percent) reported encountering infestations in hotels and motels.

Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to manage. These resourceful bugs can easily hitch a ride in suitcases, on clothing and in other human belongings, allowing them to spread quickly and infest homes, transportation systems, offices and any other place where people gather.”

J&J Exterminating offers the following tips for avoiding bed bugs while traveling:

Pull back hotel bed sheets and inspect the mattress seams for stains, spots or bugs. Also check behind the headboard and in sofas and chairs.
Immediately notify management of any signs of bed bugs and ask for a new room. Ensure the new room is not adjacent and/or directly above or below the original room. Bed bugs can easily hitchhike via housekeeping carts, luggage and even through walls via electrical sockets.
Place luggage in a plastic trash bag or protective cover during the duration of the trip to keep bed bugs out.
Upon returning home, inspect luggage before bringing it inside and vacuum cases thoroughly before putting them away.
Dry all fabric items (even those that have not been worn) in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes to ensure any bed bugs that may have made it that far are not placed into your drawers or closet.

If bed bugs do find their way into your home, do not attempt to deal with the infestation on your own. We’ve seen too many people put themselves in dangerous situations while trying to eliminate a bed bug problem. For peace of mind, it’s best to call a professional for an assessment and treatment.

For more information on bed bugs, please visit www.jjext.com